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PRADA is a big brand in lifestyle choices. Top of mind for fashion, accessories, poise, style, finesse and luxury.

Matteo Sessa Vitali, PRADA's vice president and licensing director, at the launch of LG-KF900 on Feb 5, Singapore... Lensapix by Jeff Ooi

Some two years back, it teamed up with LG, another award-winning brand for high-end phones, to resonate in a strong fashion statement. The first generation of all-black PRADA phone was unveiled, the LG-KE850, at a time when in-built camera was 2 megapixels then. The link-up was successful. It sold over one million units worldwide, appealing to the fashion connoisseirs.

Lensapix by Jeff Ooi

Next comes Version 2.0 -- or LG-KF900 aka PRADA phone by LG -- a smartphone for those contemporary discerning in fashion taste. It has arrived in Asia.

In fact, it arrived some two months ago in early February, ahead of Australia which only saw the launch last week, on April 23. But I delayed talking about it because I never had the chance to play and review it.

From the short product-tour in Singapore, KF900 features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, complemented with on-screen call and hang-up buttons, full touch-screen. Call that enhanced accessibility.

Apparently preparing itself to pit against iPhone 3G, another smartphone that was scheduled for April release in the region, PRADA II comes with 3G compatibility with video calls, 7.2 Mbps HSDPA (High-speed Downlink Packet Access) speeds up to 7.2Mbps, WiFi-enabled with embedded HTML browser, and yes, a 5 mega pixel camera with Schneider-Kreuznach certified lens.

Phone aside comes the PRADA-augmented signature, the Prada Link (picture below).

Sold separately as an accessory to the phone, Prada Link is a Bluetooth-enabled digital timepiece that can remotely monitor phonecalls, and yes, read SMS messages.

It's a boon for ladies because the Bluetooth connectivity will allow users to screen calls and check the text messages while the phone stays put in their bag, or pocket. You retain your lady-like poise without having to keep checking the mobile phone each time a call comes in.

Call that the perfect marriage between a luxury handset and the complements of consumer electronics.

PRADA's Vitali with Chang Ma, vice president of marketing strategy at LG Electronics' mobile communications division... Lensapix by Jeff Ooi

One thing I found about LG's proprietary operating system (OS) on the handset. It's rapidly moving towards what iPhone and Blackberry Storm are gearing up -- from the partial touch-screen capabilities in LG Secret, to the full touch-screen LG Renoir (KC910), the 8-megapixel camera smartphone which I am currently using for the main line right now.

Next week, I hope to collect the test-drive copy of LG Arena (KM900) for review.