A high-end television drama about the life and career of Giorgio Armani is being developed by Italian producer Lux Vide, owned by Fremantle, in partnership with Armani’s fashion house. The as-yet-untitled series will target an international audience and reflects Armani’s enduring influence on fashion, film and Hollywood image-making.

Turkish-born, Italy-based director Ferzan Ozpetek, who knew Armani personally, will direct and co-write with Lux Vide head writer Francesco Arlanch. Details of the plot and format have not been disclosed, but the programme is expected to cover Armani’s career as a Milan fashion pioneer, including his defining costumes for Richard Gere in 1980’s “American Gigolo” and his work dressing major stars such as Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett, Lupita Nyong’o and Michelle Yeoh.