Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

"What most of us don't see are the blood, sweat and tears put in before the catwalking even starts...."

Before each show, crews of hair stylists and makeup artists are busy creating the new beauty trends for the season. For the past two seasons, Maybelline has been the official makeup sponsor for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and has recently announced their Fashion Week Schedule for the Spring 2011 Collections. For the Spring 2011 Collections, Maybelline is continuing to push the envelope by sponsoring Z Spoke by Zac Posen, which is the designer’s new lower line that will be sold exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue, Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B., BCBG Max Azria and DKNY. Other shows including edgier looks include artist-designer Michael Angel, Vivienne Tam, Custo Barcelona and Carlos Miele.

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You can never have enough hats, gloves, shoes, watches, scarves, and jewels....

Join us in celebrating the breadth and depth of designers showcasing collections in our Accessories Exhibit. As a vital, enduring, irresistible facet of the fashion industry, this season's exhibit features shoes from Spain, couture jewels and much more. And remember, you can never have enough hates, gloves, shoes, watches, scarves, and jewels.... Thank you to the participants: COUTURE 2011 JEWELERS: Andrea Fohrman Gurhan Yossie Harari Scott Kay Paul Morelli Sally Sohn ICEX: Biviel Pura Lopez Magnanni Chie Mihara Pretty Ballerinas Sendra ALLEGRI HUBLOT LENA ERZIAK MARCOLIN: D Squared 2 John Galliano Tod's RADLEY LONDON

The Ultimate Makeover: Lincoln Center becomes the center of fashion from September 9th-16th…

The first runway shows in New York were held in the designer's showrooms or hotel rooms until many moved to Bryant Park in 1994. Now the most sought after event for members of the fashion industry will be located at Lincoln Center, beside the Metropolitan Opera. The location, which is already a destination of the arts, will become the center of fashion from September 9th-16th.

Read More On Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.com

NYCHA Youth Learn the “Ins” and “Outs” of Fashion

On August 25, 2010, at the David Rubenstein Atrium, the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), Lincoln Center, IMG and the CFDA hosted an event that gave over 100 youth from NYCHA’s public housing developments the unique experience of learning about the fashion Industry from a panel of experts. The presentation was moderated by former WWD reporter Lisa Marsh, and included panelists Rachel Roy, Teen Vogue’s Jane Keltner de Valle; BCBGMaxAzriaGroup’s Vice President Patrick McGregor and fashion icon Audrey Smaltz, Founder & CEO of The Ground Crew who all spoke about their careers within the fashion industry and opportunities for young people who are interested in fashion. “IMG Fashion was very excited about this unique program for young people in the neighborhood,” said Christina Neault, Executive Producer of IMG’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. “As Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week moves to its new home at Lincoln Center, we look forward to many similar programs with the community.”

Read more on NYCHA News

Nicholas K's first ever solo runway show will also be the first ever fashion show to be presented at Lincoln Center...

Nicholas K came to life in 2003 as a result of a brother/sister collaboration from designer Nicholas Kunz and business partner Christopher Kunz. The brand, which includes women’s and men’s looks, is pure, understated and ingenious. When asked about her inspirations, Nicholas herself answered, “My color palettes are usually inspired by nature, and clothing styles usually come from my city life, thus the collection tends to have a very organic, avant-garde feeling.” If you’re not familiar, it’s time to get familiar. In 2009, the line was inducted in the CFDA. Nicholas K can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue, Atrium, Blue & Cream, and various boutiques around NYC.

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Two kissing crocodiles: a designer collaboration resulting in the Lacoste + Malandrino capsule collection...

Two well known Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week designers are collaborating: Catherine Malandrino has signed on for four seasons with the brand Lacoste. When asked about the Lacoste + Malandrino capsule collection, Malandrino said, “As a French woman, I was very honored when they first approached me. Lacoste was so much a part of my childhood, too. It is still the epitome of class and joie de vivre that is linked to Lacoste.” Bringing her sexy flare to the brand’s masculine roots, Malandrino is up for the challenge of reinventing the brand to be more inticing to women. The first step was to pick the label for the collection, which will be two kissing crocodiles. Catherine Malandrino is the first designer to ever collaborate with Lacoste. She adds, “We can bring that vocabulary of emotion, desire and seduction to the brand. I am very excited, too, to get into this world of active clothing. As a woman, as a mother and as an active woman, I can bring fashion and fun to everyday life.”

Read More On WWD.com

Fashionistas, wear your highest heels, with the new upgrades you can forgo the long lines this season at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week...

As Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week moves to Lincoln center, a more environmentally friendly invitation process will be put into action. Instead of receiving paper invitations in the mail, fashion houses that opt with Fashion GPS for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will send email invitations. Guests will be able to receive their invitation via their computer or phone, and RSVP online. The high-heel clad fashionistas can forgo the long lines and instead check in at airport-style kiosks to receive their seating assignments. The technical upgrades will speed up the guest admittance process and possibly keep gate-crashers at bay. "For the fashion industry, it's like going from the Stone Age to 2090," said Peter Levy, senior vice president of IMG. Mr. Levy says he is confident the system is prepared to handle the more than 100,000 people expected to attend the event, officially called Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Roughly 80% of the designers showing at Lincoln Center are participating in the new system.

Read more at the Wall Street Journal

Swarovski will “spark” collections including designer Prabal Gurung from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Swarovski will “spark” collections of 13 designers worldwide this season, including designer Prabal Gurung from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Each label will integrate Swarovski’s iconic crystals into their designs, and the shows will be streamed live on www.swarovski.tv. In New York, Prabal Gurung and Juan Carlos Obando will collaborate with the brand. Nadja Swarovski in a statement said, “We are excited to see how, through their vision, each designer will demonstrate the creative possibility of crystal in fashion.”

Read more on The Daily Front Row

This September, Fashion’s Night Out brings you the biggest public fashion show in the history of New York City.

Fashion Industry veterans, Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, Vera Wang, Tommy Hilfiger, Prabal Gurung, Zac Posen, Tory Burch, Francisco Costa, Steven Kolb, George Fertitta, Steve Sadove, Linda Fargo, and Mary-Kate Olsen congregated at City Hall as Mayor Bloomberg declared the expanded plans for Fashion’s Night Out 2010. Close to 1,000 participating stores will open their doors after hours starting at 11pm on Friday, September 10th. Various promotions and in-store celebrations will be in tow, so definitely don’t miss out on the festivities. The newest addition to the event is “Fashion’s Night Out: The Fashion Show,” taking place at Lincoln Center on September 7th. This is show’s estimated 1,500 attendees, will make the event the largest public runway show in New York City history. The ticket price of $25 is a steal for an event featuring around 150 models in designs chosen by Vogue… unable to attend? Don’t fret, the show will be airing on later this fall.

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Is 2010 the year of Tommy Hilfiger?

Is 2010 the year of Tommy Hilfiger? With the year not yet over, Tommy Hilfiger has plenty of reasons to celebrate. He is being honored with the Legends 2010 award at the Pratt Institute’s annual scholarship benefit. On October 20th, Hilfiger will be honored with artist Ellsworth Kelly and philanthropist Emily Fisher Landau at a dinner and awards ceremony at 7 World Trade Center. On September 12, during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Hilfiger will host a blowout bash in honor of the brand's 25th anniversary bash. Mark those calendars!

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Zac Posen is taking a big step in fashion worldwide...

Zac Posen is taking a big step in fashion worldwide... and about to embark on what might be the most demanding fashion season of his career. Not only is he making his Lincoln Center debut with his collection, Z Spoke by Zac Posen, on September 11th, but soon after he is showing his read-to-wear collection in Paris. These will be two debuts, two milestones, just 19 days apart. Zac, the world is eagerly waiting for your always enchanting collections.

Read more on The Daily Front Row

L.A.M.B. collection is returning to the runways of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is enthusiastically waiting for L.A.M.B.’s Collection on September Thursday 16th at 8pm. After an initial collaboration between Stefani and LeSportsac, Stefani’s L.A.M.B. line launched in 2004. The first runway show was at Roseland Ballroom in September 2005. Five years later, L.A.M.B. and after two seasons showing presentations offsite, the always fun and vibrant collections are back on the runway where they belong.

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Prabal Gurung is the first to say he's living the American dream...

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week designer Prabal Gurung was a kid from Nepal, who is now dressing our first lady. It’s not a stretch that he is living the American Dream… Prabal’s collections are admired by top fashion publications, and celebrities are blowing him up with requests for his clothes. However, this didn’t happen overnight…he starting out as an apprentice in India, then flying around the world assisting stylists. Coming to New York all by himself, he enrolled into Parsons The New School for Design. Like most college students in New York City, he also took on various internships, notably at Donna Karran and Cynthia Rowley. "There is one universal truth: All women, all over the world, want to look beautiful. That is always the theme of my designs." You’ve got that right. Prabal’s Spring 2011 Collections will be showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on Saturday September 11th at 1pm.

Read more on Sign On San Diego

All eyes will be on three up and coming Korean designers during Mercedes-Benz fashion Week...

All eyes will be on three up and coming Korean fashion designers, Kwak Hyun-joo, designer of Pucca by Kwak Hyun Joo, “Resurrection” designer Lee Joo-young, and designer Lee Jean-youn of Lee Jean Youn who are showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion week under the name “Concept Korea”. Co-hosted by the Culture Ministry and Daegu Metropolitan City Government and co-organized by Korea Creative Content Agency and Korea Research Institute for Fashion Industry to help Korean fashion designers crack into the highly competitive global fashion market, the Concept Korea fashion show will be showcasing their Spring 2011 Collections on September 9th. The designers had to go through rigorous screening procedures that included an international and Korean Jury.

Read more at The Korea Herald

Richie Rich managed to score the plum nine o'clock time slot on opening night of New York Fashion Week...

Former Club Kid turned designer Richie Rich, has locked down the 9pm time slot on the opening night of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The theme of his Spring 2011 Collections is S&M meets Gossip Girl-esque debutante ball. "It's about pop culture in general, and my life in New York so far, and my friends. I like a resurgence of naughtiness,” explains Richie Rich. To go along with the move to Lincoln Center, Richie Rich plans on bringing in some opera fans to diversify his audience. Opera fans, be ready to be “razzle-dazzled.”

Read more at New York Magazine

Duckie Brown is worn by everyone from Adrien Brody, Jude Law and Beck...

The talent that makes up Duckie Brown is contributed to the designing genius of Daniel Silver and Steven Cox. Their playful, yet immaculately smart menswear collection has been around since its 2001 creation. The who’s who in Hollywood covets the line, including Adrien Brody, Jude Law, Matt Damon, and Aston Kutcher. The collection’s quirky nature has also caught the eye of members of Green Day and Beck. Their talent has granted them a nomination for the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year award alongside Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. If you haven’t already, check out Odin in New York, where the Duckie Brown duo have a line of shoes for Florsheim, and a co-designer clothing collection called Edward.

Read more at Vevant.com

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week frequenters are no doubt as familiar with the runway as the backstage...

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week frequenters are just as familiar with the runways as they are with the exclusive backstage areas. Notably, the W Hotels Lounge, where attendees can enjoy a glass of champagne and view live-streamed shows while critiquing looks with the Heidi Klum or J. Lo. This season, the hotel will be running the runway, hosting presentations by Monique Péan, Bibhu Mohapatra, Sophie Theallet, and Rebecca Moses. Péan, Mohapatra, Theallet, and Moses join the likes of Porcelain, Behnaz Sarafpour, Fallon, Kara Ross, Minnie Mortimer, Olivia Harris, Duro Olowu, Christys of London, Roberta Freymann, Simone, Melissa Obadash, Lulu Frost, Saga Furs, Leigh & Luca, and Gigi Mortimer, who have contributed to W’s Spring 2011 Global Glam collection, curated by W global fashion director Amanda Ross. On September 12, the collection itself, inspired by W London-Leicester Square, W St. Petersburg, and W Retreat & Spa-Vieques Island, will be presented at the Box at Lincoln Center, and will be available in W stores and online in October.

Read more on The Daily Front Row

Inspiring to give, delightful to receive.

Cambria Cove, Official Gift Retailer of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, is a carefully curated collection of exceptional gifts with amazing stories: from chic travel accessories, to elegant entertaining pieces, to jewelry you’ll keep forever. The world is noticing our well-edited approach. We were voted InStyle Magazine’s Best of the Web for gifts, in November 2009. We’ve been featured on the CBSMorning Show, and in national publications like Marie Claire, O, The Oprah Magazine, More Magazine, InStyle, Real Simple, and Brides, and online on Style.com and Harper's Bazaar.com. The recognition is delightful. But really, it’s nothing compared to our real purpose: to provide you with authentic and unique treasures to share with those you care about. Our gifts—and the amazing stories behind each of them—combine to create a special memory. Present yours in our gorgeous, signature gift box to make that moment even more extraordinary. We do everything we can to make sure you are completely happy with your Cambria Cove experience. And nothing would thrill us more than if some of our favorite finds become some of your personal treasures. Discover them all at www.cambriacove.com or call 1.866.944.COVE(2683).

Ready to wear meets ready to drink...

You express your love of fashion every day, displaying your individuality to the world with your ready-to wear style. At Starbucks, one of the many ways we express our love of coffee is by sharing with you our ready-to-drink Frappuccino® coffee drink: a delicious, low fat, creamy blend of Starbucks® coffee and milk. During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, make sure to stop by the Frappuccino® coffee drink bar to experience the custom designed cocktails of the season. Later, head to frappuccino.com/fashionweek to get the skinny on everything inside Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and an opportunity to express your love for ready-to-wear AND ready-to-drink.

The new face of fashion...

Season after season, Maybelline New York takes trends from the catwalk to the sidewalk. Empowering women to make a statement. Explore new looks, Experiment without risk, Flaunt their own artistry. It’s why we’re the #1 makeup brand in the world. Inspired by the runway, Introducing the most advanced technologies, Inventing revolutionary textures, Creating the latest shades. And making it all effortless, accessible…affordable. Today, Maybelline New York continues to push it to the next level— embodying confidence, wit and style, as only New York could. Proud to sponsor Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2011.

Kim Crawford Wines – Raise a glass to style!

Striking style wins awards. For seven consecutive years, Kim Crawford has achieved 90+ scores in Wine Spectator for its expressive style. Abrand built by forging its own path and celebrating individual style, Kim Crawford started a following in Auckland, New Zealand. Today, we are proud to be the exclusive wine sponsor for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week—the style event of the year! Having gained critical acclaim around the globe, Kim Crawford is the established leader of luxury-priced Sauvignon Blanc. Always embracing wine’s most expressive flavors, Kim Crawford combines a passion for winemaking excellence with a vision for exploring new boundaries. Raise a glass with us at the Kim Crawford Lounge in the main lobby of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and toast to a week of style with our Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand.

AOL is partnering with American artist, Chuck Close...

In commemoration of our 25th anniversary, we have partnered with American artist, Chuck Close, to celebrate AOL originals, loyal users who have helped shape our world and define our culture - innovators and visionaries who inspire and challenge us. Liya Kebede’s fashion line, Lem Lem, was established to help bring sustainable economic development to her native Ethiopia.

Walk the runway with TRESsemmé

As official hair care sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, TRESemmé proudly returns to the runway for its fifth season. TRESemmé keeps you looking gorgeous from front row to the after party with its styling line. Stop by the TRESemmé Salon and Lounge during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for free samples and touch-ups from our styling team. Walk the runway with freshly styled hair and have your photo snapped by a professional photographer. Visit TRESsemme.com to get behind the scenes photos and videos from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

W Hotels is unveiling their Global Glam Collection...

Curated by W’s Global Fashion Director Amanda Ross, W Hotels will unveil Global Glam Collection featuring exclusive designs inspired by W’s newest global destinations, W London – Leicester Square, W St. Petersburg, and W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island, from top international designer including Behnaz Sarafpour, Fallon, Lulu Frost and Minnie Mortimer. Sunday, September 12, 2010 6:30pm-7:30pm The Box at Lincoln Center

Hublot makes a big bang tutti frutti fashion statement...

This season precious stones including topaz, sapphires, amethyst, and tsavorite are making a beautiful and striking appearance complementing every woman’s wardrobe. Hublot’s Tutti Frutti Collection lures women with the use of bright colors, beautiful materials, radiant stone baguettes and a strap featuring a combination of rubber and alligator skin that makes these watches both sophisticated and comfortable to wear all day or night. In addition to all the various colors, the collection features high quality movements including quartz and automatic chronographs. This fusion of beauty and technology makes Hublot both a watch and a jewelry staple, both stylish and chic. As the official timekeeper of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2011 and with enough vibrant choices to tempt any woman, Hublot’s Tutti Frutti Collection offers the perfect timepiece to follow all shows. It inspires to make a fashion statement without having to be “fashionably” late.

Super Models Mila Jovovich Drives High Fashion and Cars

Super Model Mila Jovovich Drives High Fashion and Cars It’s routine that Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is filled with gorgeous models that create compelling images on the runways, but it doesn’t just end there. Mercedes-Benz enlisted top fashion photographer Miles Aldridge to shoot Milla Jovovich, in a bespoke hat made of colorful feathers by British designer Philip Treacy. At the center of the shoot, a new E-Class Cabriolet that drives home the connection between Mercedes-Benz and high-caliber fashion design. By bringing these elements together, one can easily see how an automobile can stand for individuality and ex¬pression of style. “I liked the idea of the collaboration from the beginning. To me the car is like a luxury object of desire — you know, something you want. And it’s a very slick and sleek machine that is highly photogenic,” said Aldridge, prior to taking on the initiative. The Philip Treacy hat used in the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week visual was a mystery to everyone including Miles. Once revealed, it was evident that the hat resembled a sculpture, a piece of art that could captivate and fit with the overall themes of innovation and graceful design silhouettes. According to Treacy, “hats express individuality, an extreme form of luxury and an overall positive outlook.” With 300 feathers that are individually shaped and paint¬ed, the hat is exactly as described — an expression of design that creates a focal point within the photograph. To incorporate the high-design elements within the shoot, the car itself takes advantage of Mercedes-Benz designo program, which lends an even more luxurious touch to a vehicle’s character and is renowned for its high exterior and interior design quality. The program offers a total selection of 10 different paint finishes — including 3 matte finishes, 17 leather variations available in 9 colors, and 2 different leather trims either in black or in a matching color. Could you imagine Milla Jovovich wearing that hat while driving with the top down? We can, thanks to the new AirCap function, a wind deflector that reduces air turbulence that is standard on the E-Cabriolet. To check-out the Designo E-Cabriolet, visit the Mercedes-Benz car display in the main tent lobby.

It's all about decadent color-so binge on!

This Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, treat yourself to indulgent color and 4 delicious best-selling shades with a complimentary mini-mani from Essie, the most trusted name in nails. Just come to the Essie pop-up salon in the main lobby on September 10th or 15th to book an appointment. Visit September 15th, between 9-10 am, and you’ll have the opportunity to meet Essie, herself. This week’s all about decadent color-so binge on!

Tailor-made solutions from the specialists at DHL

With more than 40 years of experience in transportation and logistics and an unrivaled global network, no one knows the world – and the world of fashion – like DHL. As the official logistics provider of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, DHL provides tailor-made solutions to get the latest fashions to runways around the world in a timely and efficient manner. It isn’t only to runways around the world that DHL delivers. With a global network servicing more than 120,000 destinations in more than 225 countries and territories, DHL ensures the latest collections from your favorite designers arrive at boutiques and department stores worldwide just in time for the new fashion season. Time is a critical factor in the fashion industry. Every designer and fashion house knows that competition hinges on reliability and speed in getting new trends and reorders to market. By offering a comprehensive suite of customized, integrated solutions, including optimized time-to-market services, DHL enables designers and fashion houses to get their products in the hands of customers faster. As specialists in global trade, DHL understands the fashion industry’s logistics requirements and time-sensitive need to move samples and collections to cities throughout the world. DHL is dedicated to helping the industry maximize sales, reduce risks and operate the entire supply chain efficiently and effectively. DHL’s approach is to provide innovative, tailor-made solutions that increase visibility within the supply chain, reduce lead-times and streamline logistics costs. DHL is the perfect fit for the world of fashion. Offering customers flexibility, reliability and efficiency, the tailor-made solutions include: Flexibility • Fully customized, integrated logistics solutions and total supply-chain management • Moving the latest designs and collections to market quickly with the earliest deliveries and latest pick-ups to key U.S. cities • Convenience for scheduling later pickups and earlier deliveries • Factory-to-store delivery with speedy customs clearance for several shipments Reliability • Worldwide network and resources for global support • Electronic customs pre-clearance before the planes even land • Audit process immediately identifying any fashion-related certificates of origin • Trusted relationship with customs – Nearly 95% of inbound shipments clear the same day • Pre-alert notification to DHL U.S. import gateway for priority clearance Efficiency • Door-to-door importing process that eliminates third-party vendors • One-stop shopping from a single source in one currency, including account set-up and invoicing • Unrivaled expertise in delivering international trade, especially with major manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region • Local knowledge and expertise in leveraging free trade agreements So whether you are importing collections from Milan, exporting samples to Hong Kong, or setting up an international distribution network across the globe, DHL is there to ensure your fashions are always in style. To learn more about DHL’s tailor-made solutions for your shipping and logistics needs visit DHL at www.dhl.com, or to contact a DHL representative directly for specific DHL service, please feel free to reach out to the following: • Express Shipping Services: Rakesh Cassiram at rakesh.cassiram@dhl.com • Global Forwarding Services: John Haran at john.haran@dhl.com • Supply Chain Services: Chris Blickhan at Chris.Blickhan@exel.com

The WHO. The WHAT. And the WEAR.

Isaac Mizrahi. Rachel Zoe. Marc Bouwer. Pamella Roland. Erica Davies. Erin Fetherston. Lori Goldstein. They’re some of the hottest names in fashion. Some people put them on a pedestal. But at QVC, we put them on air, online and on mobile phones, where they can connect directly with style-savvy shoppers and personally present their own affordable designer collections created with the real wom-an in mind. And that’s just the beginning. During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, QVC is pulling out all the stops to offer viewers an up-close look at the excitement—from the catwalk to backstage and beyond. We’re giving you unprecedented access to fashion’s movers, shakers and risk-takers: access no other retailer can match. Tune in throughout the week—online, on air, on everywhere. And don’t miss Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week—Live from New York, Saturday & Wednesday at 10PM ET.