What ever happened to the good old days when designers stuck to designing clothing and accessories? Giorgio Armani has confirmed that he will be creating an Armani branded cell phone for Samsung.

The cell phone, which is about the size of a credit card, will have a large LCD screen and touch-screen functionality that is similar to the iPhone. You would think a phone so tiny couldn't do much, but this phone is fully equipped with a camera, internet browser, and a Bluetooth stereo headset. The phone retails for about $915 US dollars (650 euros).

When Armani was asked why he decided to lend his designing skills to something more "technical" he said (in a statement):

"Today, fashion has expanded to encompass our way of life, not just how we dress, but how we design our home, the hotels we stay in, the car we drive, and the technology we buy. In fact, we make as much of a personal statement with the mobile phones that we carry or the televisions we have in our living rooms as we do with the shoes and bags we wear or the furnishings we choose to place in our homes. These are all lifestyle decisions, where design and performance are the criteria. Samsung has successfully anticipated the growing role for consumer electronics in our lives, while recognizing the importance of self-expression in the development of its products."

Armani's cell phone will be available in European countries in November 2007 and will expand to other markets in 2008.