Plans Unveiled For First Season Of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week At Lincoln Center

New York, NY (April 29, 2010) – IMG announced today plans for its first season of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park at a fashion industry briefing supported by The City of New York, Lincoln Center and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The move to Lincoln Center has allowed IMG Fashion to unveil event upgrades such as modernized production capabilities for designers, digital services concurrent with the advanced needs of the 21^st Century, better accessibility for attendees through both public and private transportation and great resources/facilities on-site and in the surrounding areas. 

The move to Lincoln Center comes after extensive work between City Hall, Lincoln Center, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), IMG and the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

“This is a very exciting day for us,” said Peter Levy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of IMG Fashion Worldwide.  “The move has allowed IMG to reinvent and improve so many aspects of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week as well as develop a stronger link to the surrounding facitilies and spaces available at Lincoln Center and the neighborhood.  This is the first season in what we are confident will be a long ‘run’ at Lincoln Center.”

Said Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Director of Fashion, Lincoln Center, “We are delighted to provide Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with a new home and an extraordinary array of possibilities.   Over the past few years, Lincoln Center has undergone a transformation, resulting in a campus that is aesthetically spectacular as well as extremely accessible.  We look forward to providing the fashion industry with one central location for activities in and around the tents. In addition, we plan to welcome consumers with a dynamic array of opportunities to engage with the art of fashion.”

“The move to Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center is the culmination of a working partnership between the Mayor’s Office, NYCEDC, IMG, Lincoln Center, and the Department of Parks and Recreation,” said Patrick M. Murphy, Director of the Fashion/Retail Team at the Center for Economic Transformation at NYCEDC. “The enhancements to the tents, the ability to stage additional presentations, along with access to major transportation routes, and the connection with the Lincoln Center brand will be a terrific boost for the fashion industry, and will have a positive economic impact for the event and the City.”

“The industry support and innovation being utilized to transform Lincoln Center into the new home of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is a testament to New York City’s premier status among the greatest fashion capitals of the world," said Stephen Cannon, Vice President of Marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA.  “Our commitment to the event’s success will continue as we officially announce today that Mercedes-Benz is renewing a three year agreement with IMG to remain title sponsor.”  

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center, which will be held from September 9 to 16, will implement a number of technical enhancements to adjust with the changing needs of the fashion community. These upgrades include; a gracious lobby to better accommodate designer guests, press and industry professionals; modified runway theaters and modular designer spaces that support advanced production capabilities; expanded lighting and digital design resources; new décor and increased venue/runway sizes and seating enhancements. The event will continue to host three runway venues, and has added a fourth presentation space for designer presentations, industry forums, press conferences and other activities. The venue cost to each designer will remain the same as in previous seasons of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

IMG Fashion will extend ‘the Tents’ original mantra to ‘organize, centralize and modernize’ into the digital realm, launching a new  Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center website and suite of digital services that provide expanded capabilities for designers, press and attendees.  These improvements include a new designer centric website and updated registration and credentialing system synchronized with designer seating. The digitization of the event will further streamline the communication between the different constituencies, providing up to the minute resources for press registration, press contact details for designers, online RSVP and show check-in capabilities.

Lincoln Center allows a unique opportunity in the evolution of the event, offering expanded resources and facilities around campus for the use of designer, press, industry and consumer activities. Inside the Tents, the site will feature increase lounge style seating in the event lobby and an outdoor garden for events and presentations as well as a number of restaurants, cafes and sitting areas around the Lincoln Center campus. Lincoln Center also provides attendees with convenient transportation and access to the event via the MTA’s subway systems, busses, the West Side Highway and light traffic flow on 9^th Avenue (Columbus) and 10^th Avenue (Amsterdam) making the hectic week of shows as effortless as possible for all attendees.

The City, working with IMG Fashion and Lincoln Center, has embarked on a coordinated effort to ensure Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week takes place in an efficient and organized manner. Led by the Citywide Event Coordination and Management Office, City agencies – including the Transportation, Police, Fire, Buildings, Parks and Recreation and Sanitation Departments together with the Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit, and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)  – are coordinating issues related to pedestrian access, ancillary parking, community resources, traffic flow, and opportunities for local businesses.

Each year, the 232,000 attendees at Fashion Weeks generate new economic activity for New York City businesses, accounting for more than $466 million in direct visitor spending and contributing to $1.6 billion in annual tax revenue to the City’s fashion industry. For the businesses surrounding Lincoln Center specifically – the restaurants, hotels, and retailers – as well as the thousands of caterers, security, and service workers staffing the shows, relocating Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will result in economic benefits. More than $40 million annually is spent on meals at local restaurants; nearly $30 million on taxis, Town Cars, and public transportation; and an additional $56 million at area hotels.

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Contact:

Ian Wagasky, IMG Fashion, (646) 871-2453, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Karen Peterson, CFDA, (212) 768-5708, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Betsy Vorce, Lincoln Center, (212) 875-5100, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Andrew Brent, City of New York, (212) 788-2958, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund Winner

The British Fashion Council (BFC) today announced that Erdem is the winner of the inaugural BFC / Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.  The Award which is comprised of £200,000 and access to director level mentors across the industry has been established as a key part of the BFC’s 25th anniversary legacy programme to further enhance the reputation of London’s rising stars and assist in the development of their businesses.

The BFC will develop a bespoke mentoring programme tailored specifically to assist Erdem Moralioglu’s in achieving his business goals for the next twelve months with the aspiration that the network developed during this year will endure throughout his career as he makes the transition from a developing creative business into a global fashion brand.

Erdem was selected for this award based on the label’s strong design signature and clear vision for the immediate development and growth of his business.  Eight designers were shortlisted by a panel of representatives of Fund sponsors.  All of those shortlisted were then invited to present their collections and future plans to the judging panel of Fund sponsor representatives and industry experts chaired by Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue.  All of those shortlisted will have access to support from the mentoring panel either directly or through Marigay McKee, Harrods Director of Fashion and Beauty who will chair the mentoring panel.

British based designer Erdem Moralioglu’s eponymous ready-to-wear line was established in 2005. His gracefully modern clothing has won plaudits for its fusion of sharp tailoring with romanticism and bold, graphic, custom-designed silk prints.

The British Fashion Council has an international reputation for supporting emerging talent through its existing schemes; NEWGEN supported by TOPSHOP and Fashion Forward. The BFC Vogue Designer Fashion Fund will aid business growth and create employment opportunities, it is complementary to existing support schemes and will focus on developing profile and opportunities for British designer businesses.
The Fund was launched by BFC Chairman Harold Tillman in September 2008. Vogue, headline sponsor, whose May issue is on sale early April will showcase the talents of all eight finalists.

Erdem Moralioglu commented "I am thrilled to be the winner of the BFC Vogue Fashion Fund. It is an honor. The prize will help us to take our business to the next level. It is so integral for us to be showing in London and the support of the BFC and Vogue will allow us to grow our business internationally. It is such exciting time for us."

BFC Chairman, Harold Tillman, commented “Erdem has excellent design credentials, an impressive business plan and creates beautiful collections season after season. I am proud to say that the British Fashion Council’s Vogue Designer Fashion Fund will play a key role in developing Erdem’s already prominent designer business both here in the UK and abroad.”

Alexandra Shulman, Editor of British Vogue, said "I am very excited by the prospects that the Fund offers not only in terms of finance but in mentoring.  In Erdem I feel we have a very worthy winner who already has an international reputation and who has the creativity and application that is needed to become a global business.  He makes beautiful clothes that already have a recognisable stamp that is his alone."

For more information please visit www.britishfashioncouncil.com/designerfashionfund

For press enquiries please contact:

Beyonce New Fragrance Heat! 

Beyoncé is a visionary. Trendsetter. Global icon. Empowering role model. Her unique style is a blend of sexy chic elegance. The Renaissance woman of the decade, Beyoncé has conquered music, films and fashion. She has been recognized for her measurable contributions to the global community with her humanitarian efforts.

Now, that very essence of her confidence, style, spirit and sex appeal has inspired a premiere fragrance…

Introducing Beyoncé Heat…launching in February 2010.

A captivating fragrance that unleashes a spirited fire within. A heightened sense of self with a racing pulse…feel the heat.

"My fragrance is a unique expression of a woman's powerful sensuality," said Beyoncé. "The scent thrills and enthralls, drawing you in. At the same time, it is elegant and feminine with an air of mystery. I created this fragrance for self-assured women everywhere, for women who are not afraid to desire and to be desired.”

Beyoncé Heat: The Fragrance

An alluring, modern fragrance, fruity, woody perfume features rare, sensual flowers and is both feminine and irresistible.

The fragrance opens with a radiant floral bouquet of magnolia, neroli and red vanilla orchid balanced with a kiss of luscious blush peach. At its heart, almond macaroon, sweet honeysuckle nectar and crème de musk combine to create an exquisitely sensual experience. Finally, warm and sexy notes of giant sequoia milkwood, tonka bean and amber linger to seduce the senses. Truly memorable, like the woman who inspired it, Discover the fire within. Beyoncé Heat embodies that compelling spirit.

Beyoncé Heat: The Style 

Red carpet glamour and a world-renowned fashion sense are celebrated with her first signature fragrance… Beyoncé Heat. Beyoncé Heat is presented in a stunning glass bottle, blending desire with sophistication to create a powerful, sexy, stylish statement. The bottle's curvaceously rounded base narrows to a sleek, squared neck, with the red gradient effect giving the impression of a fire burning from within. 

For the ultimate touch of luxury, the top of the bottle is edged with a gold band, inscribed with the words "Beyoncé" and "HEAT," and topped with an opulent cap. The sleek carton features a hammered, textured effect for a multi-sensory experience. The bold tones of fiery red, gold and black combine for an eye-catching design you can't ignore. On the sides, we find the emblematic B for Beyoncé, framed by ornate, feminine brocades with a glossy black finish.

Availability

February 2010: US, Canada and Latin America

August 2010: Europe, Middle East, Far East and Australia

Stylish Screensaver with Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and Topmodel Julia Stegner

Design, fashion and technology – these attributes were combined by the innovative fashion photographer Nick Knight and British fashion designer Gareth Pugh for the current event in Berlin. In the visual campaign, they drawn attention to Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and German model Julia Stegner in a cutting edge ambiance. Below you will find a screensaver about the Making of, for free, for PC and Mac, each in 4:3- and 16:9-format.