PARIS, Jan 26, 2007/ FW/ --- In an unprecedented move by a haute couture house, Giorgio Armani ‘streamed’ his Spring 2007 haute couture runway show last Wednesday on the internet.

Perhaps, the Italian couturier is democratizing haute couture, the crème de la crème of fashion, making it available to a wider audience. Or maybe, he is one step ahead of everyone else, i.e., he is trying to reach the future haute couture clients.

After all, everyone knows that to reach anyone right now below 15, you need a web presence. Hence, it is safe to assume that from the super rich set – the royalties of Europe and the Middle East to American heiresses, and the Asian jetsetters, their children are online!

So, whether one was at the Musée d'Art Moderne or sitting in front of a computer, Giorgio Armani treated his audience with an Indian inspired collection, though the references were very subtle.

As Giorgio Armani told reporters, the basis was the clothing of the Indian maharajahs wherein the jewels they wore were translated into women’s accessories such as the 4-string jade necklace, the beading on the shawl necklines and the turban headdresses.

Daywear consisted mostly of slim fitting trousers and figure-enhancing skirts with hemlines that reaches just below the knee. Jackets featured peplums and closed with a series of tiny buttons.

Eveningwear is Oscar-worthy. With the Academy Awards set for February 25, expect Giorgio Armani Privé on the red carpet.

Giorgio Armani Privé

Giorgio Armani Privé

Giorgio Armani Privé

Giorgio Armani Privé