MILAN, May 28, 2005/ FW/ --- Giorgio Armani pioneered the idea of footballers as fashion icons in 1995. A decade later, the design maestro is doing it again by designing a casual but elegant new off-field wardrobe for the England Football Team's USA ‘Friendly Tour.’

Based around a two-button midnight blue wool crepe suit, with flat-fronted trousers, the suit is designed to be more informal than Giorgio Armani's previous Team England suits, in keeping with the 'friendly' nature of the USA tour.

There is no tie and players will have the option to wear a wide-collared fitted white cotton shirt or a white cotton T-shirt. They can also choose whether or not to match these with a navy crew neck pullover.

"These young and talented players are positive and relaxed in the way they approach the game, and they play in a modern, fluid way. Sven-Goran Eriksson encourages them to play with flair, and as they head for the USA this summer, they should be dressed in a way that is appropriate to their on-pitch philosophy," Giorgio Armani said in a statement.

And the big news for fans, first time, they will be able to buy the suit and accessories in Emporio Armani stores England-wide (London, Birmingham, Manchester).

The new outfit is a perfect expression of Armani's twin passions: modern menswear and football.

Giorgio Armani's friendships in the football world include Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Luis Figo, Inter Milan's Christian Vieri and Fabio Cannavaro and AC Milan's Andreij Shevchenko (with whom Giorgio Armani has opened two stores in the player's home town of Kiev in the Ukraine).

He has designed outfits for Chelsea and Newcastle United, and has published a book to raise money for the Special Olympics charity. Called "Faces of Sport", it features portraits of many of the footballers he has worked with internationally.

For more information about Giorgio Armani, please log on: www.giorgioarmani.com