Giorgio Armani recovering from hepatitis

Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani is recovering after contracting hepatitis.

The 74-year-old fashion designer has issued a public statement to calm concern over his health.

"There have been several phone calls asking the same questions and expressing the same concerns regarding my health. I have decided to calm these worries in my usual direct and clear style of communication," he said.

"I have in fact suffered from hepatitis by poisoning, which certainly is not a rare illness. Nevertheless it is one which requires some time for a complete recovery."

He added: "My commitment both on the creative and management side has never relented. Consequently there has been no shift in delegation of my authorities to any one of the executives and everything in the company is proceeding with the usual energy."