Ziyi's warm welcome for Armani in Shanghai

Ziyi comments that she gets along so well with the Italian designer she finds it hard to work with anyone else

"Immediately I liked him," says Memoirs Of A Geisha actress Ziyi Zhang of her first meeting with Giorgio Armani. "Now I love him, and I think he likes me too."

With such a warm relationship between the Milanese fashion maestro and his muse of the moment, it's no wonder Ziyi was on hand at the opening of an Armani retrospective in her native China.

The dainty beauty looked delighted to welcome the style guru, who has dressed her at a string of recent award shows, as he arrived at gala event at Shanghai Grand Theatre. The exclusive fashion show was the first ever presentation of Armani couture in the Asian country.

The Italian designer was behind stunning appearances by Ziyi at the Golden Globes - where she dazzled in a custom-made lime green organza gown - and the Baftas, where she opted for a shimmering strapless creation. His seamstresses also toiled for three weeks to create her Swarovski crystal-encrusted number for the Oscars.

With Armani equally outspoken in his admiration for the petite star their collaboration looks set to continue for some time. "I was attracted to her as a whole," he enthuses, praising her for having a "seemingly fragile body accompanied by such a strong personality".

The retrospective can be viewed at Shanghai Art Museum until May 3.
The exquisite Chinese actress was the perfect choice to help him open a gala event in Shanghai. "I like the way Ziyi moves and wears my clothes" he says. "They seem as though they have been hers all along"