Beckham, Mayer, DiCaprio celebrate Giorgio Armani

[February 18, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- What kind of person goes coatless on a frigid February night?

Victoria Beckham, that's who.

Beckham, fashionista and wife of David Beckham, sacrificed warmth for glamour while posing on the outdoor red carpet that led to her glitzy destination: the new Giorgio Armani store on 5th Avenue, where Armani held an oh-so-exclusive party to celebrate the opening of his latest piece of Manhattan real estate.

Braving thirty-something-degree weather, Beckham stopped to talk to the media, showing some skin -- and lots of leg -- in a silvery sequined one-strap dress and heels. She presented new designs from her fashion collection at New York Fashion Week and said she'd love to reach Armani-level success.

"I have so much respect for Mr. Armani -- you know, I can dream," she said, before heading inside.

Leonardo DiCaprio and John Mayer, looking sharp in dark suits, made late entrances at Tuesday's event. No sign of their respective flames, Bar Refaeli and Jennifer Aniston.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Caroline Kennedy, Alicia Keys, Ricky Martin, Mira Sorvino, Liam Neeson, Josh Hartnett and singer Solange Knowles were among the partygoers.

Keys praised Armani, gushing: "I love his style. I love his passion. I love how Italian he is. I love that he doesn't speak English. ... I love the way he makes a woman be a woman."

Martin, who welcomed twin boys last summer via a surrogate mother, said sons Valentino and Matteo are "growing really fast. ... They're beautiful."

Is the Latin superstar outfitting them in designer duds?

"I'm dressing them in Armani -- of course!" he said, laughing.

[Associated Press; By ERIN CARLSON]

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