Founding designer Giorgio Armani, widely regarded as the doyen of Italian fashion, made a brief public appearance at the launch of the Armani-Samsung smartphone, which also has the new Microsoft software for mobiles.
Microsoft recently introduced Windows Mobile 6.5, which allows phones to play music, open Word and Excel documents and be synchronized over the internet.
The sleek phone has both a touch screen and a key pad. It also includes a video player and GPS navigation, as well as bronze detailing "which coordinates perfectly with Giorgio Armani suits."
Armani did not speak at the recent presentation, only posing for photographs, but said in the statement he sought to create a phone "perfect for today's managers."
The 75-year-old designer, who suffered a bout of hepatitis this year, said last month he is reshuffling his agenda to take better care of himself after the illness.
The smartphone is the third phone Armani has designed for South Korea's Samsung Electronics.
Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer, wearing a tie signed by Armani, said the phone is "a statement of style" and his company is not looking to work with other designers.
