Giorgio Armani to open international Herald Tribune fashion and luxury conference in Dubai

Renowned designers from across the world will join Armani to address the world's leading luxury experts at the newly opened Park Hyatt Dubai. The who's who of the luxury and fashion industry speaking at Modern Luxury 2005 include: Diane Von Furstenberg; Elle Macpherson; Laudomia Pucci; Silvia Venturini Fendi; Robert Polet - Gucci Group; Geoffrey Munn - Wartski; Stephen Webster, Jeweler; Simon Falic - Christian Lacroix; Raffaello Napoleone - Pitti Immagine; HE Sheikh Majed Al-Sabah - Villa Moda; Mark Lee - Gucci; Giancarlo Di Risio - Versace; Mario Moretti Polegato - Geox; and Jonathan Chippindale - Diamond Trading Company.

Suzy Menkes, the IHT's internationally renowned Fashion Editor who will chair Modern Luxury 2005, said: "This year's IHT conference will feature some of the world's most prominent fashion and luxury moguls under the one roof. With such a considerable amount of global luxury brands sales coming from the Middle East, it is a natural move for this year's IHT conference to take place in Dubai, which I am sure will set a new benchmark for future events." The renowned fashion editor who recently received an OBE for her services to journalism will preside over the opening Q&A session with Italian designer Giorgio Armani.

In addition, this year's principal sponsor, Emaar Properties Chairman, Mohamed Ali Alabbar will join Giorgio Armani and Suzy Menkes on stage to speak about their shared vision for the development of a collection of seven luxury hotels and three vacation resorts around the globe. One of the two first such hotels, scheduled to launch in Dubai and Milan in 2008, will be incorporated in Emaar Properties' iconic Burj Dubai - due to become the world's tallest tower.

An established forum for the fashion and luxury industry, IHT's annual conference continues to make headlines with the calibre of its speakers and delegates. This year's exclusive event will examine the exciting opportunities of modern luxury under the chairmanship of Suzy Menkes.

Sponsors for the event include: Emaar Properties PJSC as the exclusive principal sponsor; Al Tayer as elite platinum sponsor; SHARP, Global Luxury Living and ELITE Traveler as silver sponsors; and IFTF (International Fur Trade Federation) and ASDA'A - the Middle East premier public relations consultancy as supporting sponsors.