They forged a licensing agreement with one of Italy's biggest manufacturers at the time, Gruppo Finanziario Tessile (GFT).

WSJ: The Future of Armani

Between 2000 and 2005, the company bought out many of its old partners, including GFT and a group of shoemakers in the industrial area near Venice.

WSJ: The Future of Armani

"With payrolls due tomorrow there could well be a temptation for many to sit on the sidelines for a short while, " said Fawad Razaqzada, market strategist at GFT Markets.

NPR: Markets Edgy As US Payrolls Loom