Today Giorgio Armani announced that he will make a significant donation to The Fund for Public Schools in honor of the opening of his new concept store in Manhattan: Armani / 5^th Avenue. 

The Giorgio Armani grant will develop a multi-year, umbrella program entitled the Armani Arts Institute, which will support diversified arts programs throughout the city’s public schools in  under-served neighborhoods.  These programs help engage students in their schoolwork as well as provide an outlet to channel their creative energies. 

The Fund for Public Schools is dedicated to improving New York City’s public schools by attracting private investment in school reform, and encouraging greater involvement by all New Yorkers in the education of our children.   Mr. Armani was intrigued by the organization’s unique vision in a city that remains close to his heart.  In 1985, he chose New York for his first US boutique, and the city has subsequently contributed to his global success. 

“Given the point I am at in my career as well as the current economic climate, I felt this was the right time to give back to New York,” said Giorgio Armani. “While the Armani / 5^th Avenue store is an investment in the future of my business, even more importantly, this grant to The Fund for Public Schools is an investment in the future generations of New York City.”  He also noted:  “I’d like to think that the Armani Arts Institute will help many young people.  What excites me most is that we are not just providing the wood for the dance floors and the oil paints for our future artists.  More importantly, we are giving young kids a chance to dream.  

"Arts education is an essential component of a well-rounded curriculum and nurtures our students' imaginations, creative thinking and appreciation of the arts," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. "Giorgio Armani's grant will go a long way towards expanding our efforts to bring quality arts education to all New York City public school students, and it exemplifies the importance and power of The Fund for Public Schools." 

“We are tremendously grateful to Mr. Armani for his leadership and generosity,” noted Caroline Kennedy, Vice-Chair of The Fund for Public Schools. “He is an example to all of us that even in difficult times, we must continue to look to the future for hope and inspiration, and let our children know that we are determined to help them build a better world.” 

ABOUT THE FUND FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Fund for Public Schools works to attract private investment in school reform and to encourage greater involvement of all New Yorkers in the education of our children. This includes working to secure critical funding for system-wide education reform initiatives; facilitating strategic public-private partnerships; managing a targeted set of programs to support city schools; and building citywide public awareness. 

In 2002 Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Chancellor Joel I. Klein established public-private partnerships as a critical means of supporting public education reform, and The Fund is the primary vehicle for advancing this effort. The Fund has secured unprecedented investment from private business, individuals, and foundations, raising more than $240 million for system-wide reforms and initiatives that support individual schools.   For more information about the Fund for Public Schools, visit www.fundforpublicschools.org. 

ABOUT GIORGIO ARMANI GROUP

The Giorgio Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and luxury goods groups in the world today with over 5,000 direct employees and 13 factories. It designs, manufactures, distributes  and retails fashion and  lifestyle  products including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery, home furnishings, fragrances and cosmetics under a range of brand names: Giorgio Armani  Privé, Giorgio Armani,  Emporio Armani, Armani  Collezioni, AJ | Armani Jeans, A/X Armani Exchange, Armani Junior, Armani Baby and Armani Casa.

With approximately 500 stores worldwide, the Group's exclusive retail network currently comprises: 81 Giorgio Armani  boutiques, 171 Emporio Armani stores, 17 Armani Collezioni stores, 165 A/X Armani  Exchange  stores, 16 AJ | Armani Jeans stores, 6 Armani Junior stores and 33 Armani Casa stores in 46 countries.

CONTACT:                 

Amee Boyle / Mario Zaccardi / Annalisa Pirotta

Tel: +39 02 831061

Fax: +39 02 83106041