High-end Italian fashion house Gianni Versace SpA is getting into the mobile space with a $5,000 handset that will be launched in May. The luxury line’s head designer, Donatella Versace, designed the device, which will be made by French manufacturer ModeLabs Group.

“Made from exclusive materials in accordance rigorous standards of Atelier Versace, these models combine the latest mobile phone technology to the inimitable Italian know-how, ” said Stephane Bohbot, CEO of ModeLabs, in a translated statement.”This new contract attests to the ModeLabs manufacturing capacity to meet the expectations of most brands prestigious in the most demanding sectors. ” 

Versace will unveil the device to selected clients during Paris’ annual fashion extravaganza later this month. ModeLabs also makes devices for Christian Dior and Tag Heuer.

High-end devices comprise a small but growing segment of the luxury market. Christian Dior and Tag Heuer have launched their own phones with ModeLabs, and Motorola made a phone for Dolce & Gabbana in 2008. Prada and Giorgio Armani also have their own devices.