Armani brings haute couture live to Internet

PARIS, Jan 25 (Reuters) Never had an invitation to a glamorous fashion show? Fans of Giorgio Armani did not have to fret about tickets for his summer collection on Wednesday as the Italian designer broadcast his haute couture show live on the Internet.

Hollywood actresses Cate Blanchett and Katie Holmes watched on from the frontrow in a Paris art museum, while Armani fans across the world could tune in as the 72-year old designer paraded out girls in shiny trousers and sparkling dresses.

''Couture is rooted in fashion history,'' Armani said.

''It is the pinnacle of creativity and craftsmanship, which has always been a closed world to all but a few. Now through the democracy of the Internet we can provide a front row seat for everyone,'' the designer said in a statement.

Armani said his broadcast on www.msn.com was the first time an haute couture show could be followed live online.

Other labels have broadcast other collections, including Frida Giannini's women's Gucci Cruise show that was broadcast live on the company's Web site last year.

Holmes, who married Hollywood star Tom Cruise in an Armani bridal gown last year, said she loved yesterday's show, which included floor-length dresses with large sequined ribbons at the shoulders.

''It was amazing, so beautiful,'' she said.

Fashion editors welcomed the Internet broadcast.

''I think the more fashion is available to more people the more exciting it becomes,'' Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of US Vogue, told Reuters earlier in the day at the show of French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier.

''It's good for the business. It's good for the excitement. It's good for the glamour. I think it's a genius idea ... Fashion should be for everyone,'' she said.

Glenda Bailey, editor-in-chief at Harper's Bazaar, agreed.

''Fashion is all about what's new. So how exciting will it be to see the fashion show around the world. All the women who want to know what Armani is doing can actually tune in and see it for themselves.

So it's great.'' In Armani's case however, watching the show on the Internet was only half the treat, as online watchers missed out on a sumptuous dinner of truffle risotto that Armani threw in a mirror-clad hall for several hundred guests after his show.

Armani has said he is not tiring of his job and wants to stay in charge a little longer, although he had had many offers for his group.

''In reality, I don't have time to think about all that. It will happen one day, but I don't know when; I am not yet ready.

I'm still young!'' he told Le Figaro daily in an interview published yesterday.

He said the business could already function without him, noting two nieces and one nephew were already involved in it.

''The problem is convincing the outside world that it would work if I'm not there,'' he said.

Reuters PB DB0901