Giorgio Armani,the Italian fashion designer,said in a newspaper interview published some days ago that he was prepared to sell his fashion empire. "I'm prepared to sell to the highest bidder,"Armani told the business daily Handelsblatt at the at the opening on an Armani exhibition in Milan. French group L'Oreal, which already cooperates with Armaniin perfumes and cosmetics, has frequently been mooted as a possible buyer. "L'Oreal could be a partner. But if somebody else offers more they could also be a partner," said the 72-years old designer,who has no children. Experts estimate that Armani is worth about $6.6 billion.