Banned from Louis Vuitton Show at Paris Fashion Week
October 7, 2007 — FASHION journalists are buzzing over how Newsweek’s Dana Thomas was banned from today’s Louis Vuitton ready-to-wear show in Paris. Thomas apparently struck a nerve at the 150-year-old leather goods house with her best-selling book, “Deluxe: How Luxury Lost Its Luster.” She wrote, “Vuitton is the McDonald’s of the luxury industry: it’s far and away the leader, brags of millions sold, has stores at all the top tourist sites - usually steps away from a McD’s - and has a logo as recognizable as the Golden Arches.” The International Herald Tribune’s Suzy Menkes was banned from Dior a few years ago and the New York Times’ Cathy Horyn from Dolce & Gabbana last winter, both after writing reviews that displeased the brands. Calls to Vuitton reps in New York and Paris weren’t returned. Thomas had no comment. Chances are, however, the ban won’t last forever. “Menkes is back at Dior now,” our source told us. Other luxury brands, meanwhile, seem unperturbed by Thomas’s book. She was spotted at the Christian Dior and Hermes shows earlier in the week.
source: page six
Valentino Bids Farewell to Paris Prêt-à -Porter Fashion Week
Italian fashion giant Valentino staged his last ever ready-to-wear show, winning a standing ovation Wednesday from his supporters and a reprimand from fellow designer Karl Lagerfeld, who said it was too early for the designer to retire.
Wednesday’s show is not quite Valentino’s last hurrah — a final haute couture display is scheduled to take place in Paris in January. But the emotions were palpable as he blinked back tears on the catwalk, and backstage there was hardly a dry eye.
“I want to stop at the height of my glory,” the 75-year-old designer told reporters. “I want to have a bit of fun because I have spent my life stuck in couture houses drawing hundreds and hundreds of sketches every season.”
Having celebrated his 45 years in fashion with three days of glittering celebrations in Rome, Valentino announced last month that he would retire in 2008. Alessandra Facchinetti, the former designer of Gucci women’s ready-to-wear, has been appointed to replace him.

Valentino said he wanted his penultimate collection to be young and joyful as a tribute to all his fans.
Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova, back on the catwalk just three weeks after giving birth to her third child, opened the show in a short pink-and-lilac cashmere coat.
To a thumping soundtrack of Prince songs, models stepped out in flirty cocktail dresses scattered with polka dots and gold bows. Blocks of color formed graphic patterns that had an upbeat ’80s feel, while a print of oversized arum lilies added a romantic touch.
Fashion editors and retailers praised the legendary designer, who has dressed luminaries from Jackie Kennedy to Gwyneth Paltrow.
“It’s very emotional; he’s such an iconic designer, such an important part of fashion history,” said Ken Downing, senior vice president and fashion director for U.S. department store chain Neiman Marcus.
Lagerfeld lamented Valentino’s decision to stop.
“I am not very pleased because I think it is not good that he’s stopping; he is in great shape,” he told reporters after showing his Karl Lagerfeld ready-to-wear line earlier in the day. “He should continue. It’s no fun; he will be bored.”
Valentino had been insisting for months that he had no plans to retire, but the purchase of the Valentino Fashion Group — which owns his label — by private equity firm Permira may have influenced his decision.
The designer said he would take time to travel and perhaps design costumes for opera and ballet — he already has plans for a collaboration with the famed Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia. He also is planning the creation of a foundation to house his creations.
Lagerfeld, 69, said he had no intention of stepping down in turn from his multiple roles as creative director of the Lagerfeld, Chanel and Fendi brands.
“All my contracts are for life, so I am like a death row inmate,” he joked.
While Christian Dior and Valentino have staged lavish anniversary celebrations this year, Lagerfeld barely acknowledged the passing of his 25th year at Chanel. He joined the firm in 1982.
“There were never any celebrations, there will never be any — I hate that,” he said.
“Fashion is about today and tomorrow, not about yesterday. If you have to be taken seriously because you have a heavy past, I don’t think it’s a good thing,” he said. “I don’t want to remember, I want to do things and go ahead.”
By JOELLE DIDERICH, Associated Press Writer
Source: Yahoo! News
Los Angeles Fashion Week 2008 Schedule October 14-18, 2007
SUNDAY OCTOBER 14th, 2007
3 - 8 PM DESIGN SUITES Softbox
4 PM SUE WONG The Main Tent
5 - 6 PM Welcome Cocktails with Smashbox
5 - 7.30 PM Design Suites Kickoff Party co-hosted by THE DAILY
6 PM CHICK by NICKY HILTON Stage One
7 PM YVES CASTALIDI Lightbox
8 PM RANDOLPH DUKE The Main Tent
MONDAY OCTOBER 15th, 2007
10.30 AM Mercedes-Benz BLUETEC Press Conference
2 PM ECOGANIK Stage One
3 PM COCO JOHNSEN The Lightbox
3 - 8 PM DESIGN SUITES Softbox
4 PM KEVAN HALL The Main Tent
5 PM William Good Launch & Press Conference
6 PM ELSIE KATZ COUTURE Stage One
7 PM JOSEPH DOMINGO The Lightbox
8 PM HEATHERETTE The Main Tent
TUESDAY OCTOBER 16TH, 2007
12 PM JUAN CARLOS OBANDO *CRAFT, 10100 CONSTELLATION BLVD.
2 PM GREGORY PARKINSON Softbox
3 PM JENNY HAN The Lightbox
3 - 8 PM DESIGN SUITES Softbox
4 PM CHRISTIAN AUDIGIER The Main Tent
4:30 PM PETA Ad Unveiling with Steve-O
5 - 6 PM “Bubbles and Baubles” with Judith Ripka and Melvin Sokolsky
6 PM DINA BAR-EL Stage One
7 PM GREY ANT The Lightbox
8 PM WHITLEY KROS The Main Tent
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17th, 2007
2 PM TART Stage One
3 PM BEACH BUNNY SWIMWEAR The Lightbox
3 - 8 PM DESIGN SUITES Softbox
4 PM VOOM by JOY HAN The Main Tent
5 - 6 PM ecoStyle Kuala Lumpur Media Launch
6 PM The Green Initiative presented by The Gallery Los Angeles featuring Peligrosa, Rene Geneva, Wet Cement, Vintage China, Protect the Element, M the Movement, Artesania and Demano Stage One
7 PM EVIDENCE OF EVOLUTION The Lightbox
8 PM JEREMY SCOTT The Main Tent
THURSDAY OCTOBER 18th, 2007
2 PM BIRD OF PREY Stage One
3 PM CANDICE HELD The Lighbox
3 - 8 PM DESIGN SUITES Softbox
4 PM MONARCHY COLLECTION The Main Tent
5 - 7 PM Design Suites Closing Party co-hosted by California Apparel News
6 PM SAMORA Stage One
7 PM OLIGO TISSEW The Lightbox
8 PM PETRO ZILLIA The Main Tent
The Main Tent, Stage One and The Lightbox are located at Smashbox Studios, 8549 Higuera Street, Culver City, CA 90232
* Indicates Associate Member Showing Off-Site
Entry by invitation only. Not open to the public.
Collections de Prêt-à -Porter Printemps/Eté 2008 - Ready-to-Wear Collections Spring/Summer 2008
(In English below.)
La session printemps-été 2008 (du 30 septembre au 8 octobe) se présente sous les meilleurs auspices.
- L’action conjointe des maisons adhérentes et de la Fédération française de la Couture a permis de recentrer l’essentiel des présentations au cÅ“ur de Paris, créant ainsi un axe Carrousel du Louvre / Louvre / Tuileries proche du Grand Palais, des Palais de Chaillot et Tokyo.
- Le Carrousel du Louvre fait peau neuve. Les 4 salles du Carrousel : Gabriel, Delorme, Soufflot et Lenôtre s’offrent dès octobre prochain une nouvelle décoration. L’espace y devient plus modulable, rendant aux salles toute leur dimension. Grands rideaux de coton gratté blanc, bancs ébènes mats et gradins déclinent dans ces boîtes blanches un esprit minimal, contemporain, propice à de nombreuses mises en scène. Des images numériques des salles ainsi modifiées sont d’ores et déjà disponibles sur ce lien.
- Une seconde tente accompagne, à l’initiative du Ministère de la Culture, l’Espace Ephémère Tuileries. Situé près de l’Arc de Triomphe du Jardin du Carrousel du Louvre, l’Espace des Jardins du Louvre accueillera quotidiennement des shows dans sa structure éphémère.
- Le calendrier : 88 défilés dont plus d’un quart programmés au Carrousel du Louvre composent la fashion week parisienne d’octobre 2008, dense, variée et internationale, à l’image du premier dimanche des collections qui se renforce et voit se côtoyer 10 nationalités différentes.
Quelques faits marquants de cette semaine :
- les maisons Christian Dior et Vivienne Westwood défileront le lundi 1er octobre,
- la maison Louis Vuitton défilera le dimanche 7 octobre à 19h30 directement suivie par Ralph Rucci et sa ligne Chado, qui clôturera ce calendrier,
- pour la première fois deux créateurs indiens présenteront leur collection à Paris : Manish Arora, le dimanche 30 septembre et Anamika le dimanche 7 octobre,
- parmi les nouveaux noms inscrits au calendrier, à noter les premiers pas à Paris de Estrella Archs et Limi Feu, la fille de Yohji Yamamoto.
- Canon et Neiman Marcus sont cette saison les partenaires de la Paris Fashion Week ainsi que Citroën et sa flotte automobile. Le service de restauration L’Ail et la Tomate (19 € sur réservation), Kusmi Tea et leur bar à thés et les chocolats Gü disponibles à la Mezzanine du Carrousel du Louvre et au Centre international de presse et d’information.
Paris fashion week for spring-summer 2008 (Sept. 30 - Oct. 8) is shaping up to be a great session!
- Thanks to the cooperative efforts of the Fédération française de la Couture and its members, the majority of fashion shows will be staged in the center of Paris. The result is a show venue axis comprised of the Carrousel du Louvre/the Louvre/the Tuileries and the nearby Grand Palais/and the Palais de Chaillot and Tokyo.
- The Carrousel du Louvre has gotten a makeover. The four halls - Gabriel, Delorme, Soufflot and Le Nôtre - will debut their new interiors for fashion week. The spaces will have more flexible components enabling users to explore and utilize their full potential. In those white box-like platforms, there will be big curtains in a brushed cotton canvas and matt-ebony benches. The new minimalist décor is more contemporary and will give fashion houses more flexibility to stage diverse show scenery. You can check out the new venue via digital photos on this link.
- A second tent will be open for shows, as the Espace Ephémère Tuileries, thanks to the French Ministry of Culture. Located close to the Arc de Triomphe of the Jardin du Carrousel du Louvre will daily hosts shows from the schedule.
- A total of 88 fashion shows - one-quarter of which will be held at the Carrousel du Louvre - will be held during Paris fashion week. The schedule is indeed packed but filled with variety and international flavor, as demonstrated by the first Sunday of shows where designers from 10 different countries will present their collections.
A few important facts about spring-summer 2008 fashion week:
- Christian Dior and Vivienne Westwood will stage their shows on Monday Oct. 1st.
- Louis Vuitton will show on Sunday Oct. 7th at 7:30 followed immediately by Ralph Rucci and his Chado collection which will close Paris fashion week.
- For the first time, two Indian designers will show their collections in Paris: Manish Arora on Sunday Sept. 30th and Anamika on Sunday Oct. 7th.
- New additions to the calendar of note are Estrella Archs and Limi Feu, Yohji Yamamoto’s daughter.
- Canon and Neiman Marcus are this season’s partners of Paris Fashion Week while Citroën will provide official car service. Restaurant service provided by L’Ail et la Tomate (19€ by reservation only), Kusmi Tea and its tea bar, and Gü chocolates will be available at the Mezzanine of the Carrousel du Louvre and at the International Press and Information Center.
Paris Fashion Week Prêt-à -Porter Spring/Summer 2008 Schedule
The spring/summer 2008 prêt-à -porter collections are showing at Paris Fashion Week from September 29 to October 7, 2007!
Here is the schedule of the shows:
Saturday September 29
15h30 IMPASSE DE LA DÉFENSE Grand Hall de la Gare de Lyon - Terrasse de l’Express Bleu - Paris 12e
17h30 FATIMA LOPES Studio Gabriel - 9 avenue Gabriel - Paris 8e
19h00 SIRIVANNAVARI Opéra Garnier - Rotonde des Abonnés - 8 rue Scribe - Paris 9e
Sunday September 30
10h30 JEFEN Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Gabriel*
11h30 LIE SANG BONG Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*
12h30 MINA PERHONEN Espace Commines - 17 rue Commines - Paris 3e
13h30 ROBERT NORMAND Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine - 45 avenue du Président Wilson - Paris 16e
14h30 ESTRELLA ARCHS Université Pierre et Marie Curie - 21 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine - Paris 6e
15h30 BALMAIN Hôtel Westin - 3 rue de Castiglione - Paris 1er
16h30 BRUNO PIETERS Galerie Nikki Diana Marquardt - 9 place des Vosges - Paris 4e
17h30 MANISH ARORA Grand Hôtel - 2 rue Scribe - Paris 9e
18h30 RICK OWENS Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts - Salle Melpomène - 13 quai Malaquais - Paris 6e
19h30 BLESS 22 avenue Max Dormoy - Paris 18e
20h30 BERNHARD WILLHELM ex-Purple Institute - 9 rue Pierre Dupond - Paris 10e
21h30 COSMIC WONDER LIGHT SOURCE Cosmic Galerie - 7 rue de l’Equerre - Paris 19e
Monday October 1
10h00 ATSURO TAYAM L’Académie - 14 rue Royale - Paris 8e
11h00 DICE KAYEK Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*
12h00 VIVIENNE WESTWOOD Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Delorme*
13h00 GASPARD YURKIEVICH Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Gabriel*
14h30 CHRISTIAN DIOR Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries – Paris 1er
15h30 ISABEL MARANT Espace Jardins du Louvre - Place du Carrousel - Paris 1er
16h30 SHARON WAUCHOB Université Pierre et Marie Curie - 21 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine - Paris 6e
17h30 UNDERCOVER Hôtel Westin - 3 rue de Castiglione - Paris 1er
18h30 MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy - Salle Marcel Cerdan - Porte 28 - 8 boulevard de Bercy - Paris 12e
19h30 AF VANDEVORST Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy - La grande Salle - entrée principale porte 1 - 8 boulevard de Bercy - Paris 12e
20h30 YOHJI YAMAMOTO Carreau du Temple - 3 rue Dupetit Thouars - Paris 3e
Tuesday October 2
09h30 BALENCIAGA See invitation
10h30 JUNYA WATANABE See invitation
11h30 TSUMORI CHISATO Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Delorme*
12h30 MARITHÉ & FRANCOIS GIRBAUD Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Le Nôtre*
13h30 LUTZ Hôtel Ritz - 17 place Vendôme - Paris 1er
14h30 VIKTOR & ROLF Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries – Paris 1er
15h30 ISSEY MIYAKE Espace Jardins du Louvre - Place du Carrousel - Paris 1er
16h30 ANN DEMEULEMEESTER Couvent des Cordeliers - 15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine - Paris 6e
17h30 COMME DES GARCONS See invitation
19h00 JEAN PAUL GAULTIER 325 rue Saint-Martin - Paris 3e
20h00 VÉRONIQUE BRANQUINHO Garage Turenne - 66 rue de Turenne - Paris 3e
21h00 JEREMY SCOTT Elysée Montmartre - 72 boulevard de Rochechouart - Paris 18e
Wednesday October 3
09h30 KARL LAGERFELD Espace Jardins du Louvre - Place du Carrousel - Paris 1er
10h30 ANDREW GN Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Gabriel*
11h30 AKRIS Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Delorme*
12h30 VALENTINO Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Le Nôtre*
13h30 COSTUME NATIONAL Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*
14h30 DRIES VAN NOTEN Manège du Grand Palais - entrée porte C - avenue Franklin Roosevelt - Paris 8e
15h30 CHRISTIAN LACROIX Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries – Paris 1er
16h30 LOEWE Couvent des Cordeliers - 15 rue de l’Ecole de Médecine - Paris 6e
17h30 REQUIEM Petit Palais - avenue Winston Churchill - Paris 8e
18h30 GIVENCHY Carreau du Temple - 3 rue Dupetit Thouars - Paris 3e
20h00 HUSSEIN CHALAYAN See invitation
Thursday October 4
10h00 STELLA MCCARTNEY Palais de Chaillot - 1 place du Trocadéro - Paris 16e
11h00 LÉONARD Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Delorme*
12h00 BARBARA BUI Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Le Nôtre*
13h00 ANNE VALÉRIE HASH Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*
14h00 GIAMBATTISTA VALLI Espace Jardins du Louvre - Place du Carrousel - Paris 1er
15h30 ZUCCA École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts - Salle Melpomène - 13 quai Malaquais - Paris 6e
16h30 CELINE Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries – Paris 1er
17h30 HAIDER ACKERMANN See invitation
18h30 VÉRONIQUE LEROY Petit Palais - avenue Winston Churchill - Paris 8e
20h00 YVES SAINT LAURENT Grand Palais - avenue Winston Churchill - Paris 8e
Friday October 5
09h30 HIROMICHI NAKANO Carré des Champs-Elysées - Pavillon Ledoyen - 1 avenue Dutuit - Paris 8e
10h30 CHANEL Grand Palais - avenue du Général Eisenhower - Paris 8e
11h30 AGNÈS B. Palais de Tokyo - 13 avenue du Président Wilson - Paris 16e
12h30 JEAN-CHARLES DE CASTELBAJAC Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Delorme*
13h30 ALENA AKHMADULLINA Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*
14h30 SONIA RYKIEL Espace Ephémère Tuileries – Jardin des Tuileries – Paris 1er
15h30 JUNKO SHIMADA Hôtel Westin - 3 rue de Castiglione - Paris 1er
16h30 RUE DU MAIL (by Martine Sitbon) Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts - Salle Melpomène - 13 quai Malaquais - Paris 6e
18h00 ES ORCHESTRES Petit Palais - avenue Winston Churchill - Paris 8e
20h00 ALEXANDER MCQUEEN Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy - Salle Marcel Cerdan - Porte 28 - 8 boulevard de Bercy - Paris 12e
Saturday October 6
10h30 KENZO Carreau du Temple - 3 rue Dupetit Thouars - Paris 3e
11h30 ELIE SAAB Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Delorme *
12h30 CHAPURIN Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*
13h30 PAUL & JOE Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Le Nôtre*
14h30 JOSE CASTRO Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Gabriel*
15h30 CHLOÉ Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries - Paris 1er
16h30 MARTIN GRANT École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts - Salle Melpomène - 13 quai Malaquais - Paris 6e
17h30 HERMÈS Espace Jardins du Louvre - Place du Carrousel - Paris 1er
18h30 LIMI FEU Garage Turenne - 66 rue de Turenne - Paris 3e
20h30 JOHN GALLIANO Le Stade Français - 22 avenue de la porte de Saint-Cloud - Paris 16e
Sunday October 7
10h00 VANESSA BRUNO 8 rue de la Pierre Levée - Paris 11e
11h00 NINA RICCI Espace Ephémère Tuileries - Jardin des Tuileries - Paris 1er
12h00 ANAMIKA Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Delorme*
13h00 YUKI TORII Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Gabriel*
14h00 COLLETTE DINNIGAN Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Soufflot*
15h00 MIU MIU See invitation
16h30 SAKINA M’SA Petit Palais - avenue Winston Churchill - Paris 8e
17h30 LANVIN Espace Jardins du Louvre - Place du Carrousel - Paris 1er
18h30 MOON YOUNG HEE Le Carrousel du Louvre - Salle Gabriel*
19h30 LOUIS VUITTON See invitation
20h30 CHADO RALPH RUCCI Palais de Tokyo - 13 avenue du Président Wilson - Paris 16e
* Le Carrousel du Louvre, 99, rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
British Airways: Still the Official Airline of London Fashion Week.
British Airways is once again offering special fares to London for international travelers attending London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2008 (September 15-20, 2007). Simply enter the code FashionBA prior to booking your flight.
Appel & Frank at San Francisco Fashion Week 2007
What’s new about San Francisco Fashion Week in 2007?
The new, fresh fashion that will grace this year’s runways, of course!
San Francisco Fashion Week offers three nights of exciting runway shows featuring some of the best emerging design talent that the Bay Area has to offer, including 615 Project, Kirribilla, Dcepcion, Onerary, Pink Elf, Vian Hunter and Vindy Co Clothing. Plus, there will be Couture Exhibits by Colleen Quen, Lily Samii and Cari Borja.
This year, SFFW has a new shopping boutique sponsor — Appel & Frank, a local company which has been producing the city’s finest emerging designer shopping events for the past four years. The Appel & Frank Shopping Boutique at San Francisco Fashion Week will feature a host of fantastic finds from independent accessory, handbag, jewelry & clothing designers. The boutique is open and available before, in-between and after each evening’s runway shows.
San Francisco Fashion Week also continues its popular series of industry workshops on all things fashion, from how to become a designer to how to learn to walk like a model. For updates on the week, please visit www.fashionweek-sf.com.
Discontent Over Oscar de la Renta Venue Move
From today’s Page Six:
“PICKY Park Avenue might wear Oscar de la Renta, but they certainly don’t want him throwing a big fashion show in their historic neighborhood. The designer recently announced plans to move his Fall Fashion Week show from Bryant Park to 583 Park, much to the dismay of locals in a tizzy over traffic and noise.”
Berlin, Germany: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
While we often think of such cities as Paris, Milan, and New York as fashion week meccas, Berlin now has now earned its place on the map. The Mercedes-Benz Berlin Fashion Week took place from July 12-15, 2007.
Having been organized by IMG, Berlin Fashion Week got off to a good head-start in the reputation department, not to mention an upshot in the glamor department. Unfortunately, there were some complaints that this resulted in the event being elitist; the local media was apparently complaining that many people were being excluded from the events simply because they were not high-profile enough. While there were crowds of people gathered around the main venue location (the Brandenburg Gate) every day, such events are usually aimed at a selected audience of industry professionals and other related individuals.
All in all, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Berlin was well received and had some good reviews — by both local and international outlets. There was a good balance of famous and established fashion designers along with lots of good local talent, giving the fashion event a good overall balance and promising concept-idea.
Another event is scheduled in Berlin for January and is already drawing such big names as Karl Lagerfeld and other fashion design greats. This first-time Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has given the signal to the rest of the world that Berlin is ready to make a name for itself among the top players in the fashion design world.
International Designers Welcomed at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami - Swim 2008 Collections
Record number of international designers join this years lineup of leading US designers
July 3, 3007, Miami, FL - The style and glamour found on beaches around the world will now be seen in Miami Beach as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim announces a lineup that includes top international swimwear designers from around the world.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim brings together industry insiders, buyers, celebrities and VIPs to create one of the most distinctive events in swimwear design. This season’s attendees will enjoy collections from Brazilian designers Cia.Marítima, Mirla Sabino and Rosa Cha, Italian designs from DE et DR and Miss Bikini and from down under designed by Australian designer Zimmermann - making nearly half of the event’s line-up from abroad. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim marks the US debut for designers DE et DR, Miss Bikini and Zimmermann. These international designers will share the lineup with Miami’s own Red Carter LA’s Ashley Paige and Shay Todd and swimwear collection debut’s from Badgley Mischka, True Religion and Jessica Simpson
“We are extremely pleased to be hosting such a strong portfolio of international designers as well as talented designers and swimwear brands from the US,” said svp of IMG Fashion Fern Mallis. “Already in its third year, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim is certainly the strongest global platform for any swimwear designer.”
“I am so pleased about presenting our US debut collection for DE et DR at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim,” commented principal and designer Deborah Martinelli Bonavia. Deborah continued “We look to Miami Swim as the perfect venue to introduce our swimwear collection to the American market and I look forward to showing our version of European swimwear that is elegant yet very sexy.”
“Zimmermann is the hot, sexy Bondi girl and through our show in Miami we aim to show the US what she is about. We believe Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim is the ideal setting to premiere this effortless but luxurious look; it’s a sexy bikini, great vintage accessories and a dress that takes her from beach or poolside to the bar,” said Nicky Zimmermann, Designer and Director of Zimmermann.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim will be held July 10-14 at Miami Beach’s historic Raleigh Hotel featuring shows by Jacquelyne Love Bella Mar Swim, Rosa Cha, Badgley Mischka, Cia.Marítima, Xtra Life LYCRA®, DE et DR Don Eduardo et Donna Rosalia, True Religion, Red Carter, Ashley Paige, ANK by Mirla Sabino, BECCA, Shay Todd, Miss Bikini, Zimmermann, Parke & Ronen and Jessica Simpson. Invited guests can access the three venues, the Cabana Grande, Beachway and Oasis through the event lobby at Collins Avenue at 18th Street, directly next to the hotel’s main entrance.
Joining title sponsor Mercedes-Benz in sponsoring the shows this season will be LYCRA®, Smashbox Cosmetics, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, DHL, AT&T, The Raleigh, Havaianas, Nivea, Sunsilk, Continental Airlines, Peroni, Imperia Vodka, Ocean Drive Magazine, California Apparel News, The Swim Journal and ULTRA HD.
Further details and announcements on this event will follow.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim 2008 Collections will be held July 10 to 14, 2007. For more information, and for press and industry registration, please visit us online at www.mbfashionweek.com/miami.
# # #
Contacts:
Alison Levy
IMG Fashion
212-774-8690
alison.levy@imgworld.com
About IMG Fashion
IMG Fashion, a division of international sports, entertainment and media giant IMG, is the global leader in the management and production of fashion weeks and designer fashion events. Its portfolio of events in the United States includes FashionWeekLive presented by Sephora and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weeks in New York, Los Angeles and Miami. Internationally, IMG Fashion produces, manages and/or represents Rosemount Australia Fashion Week in Melbourne and Sydney, the Singapore Fashion Festival presented by MasterCard, Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, Fashion Fringe in London, Milan Fashion Week, Fashion Week in Moscow, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin and Pakistan Fashion Week.
IMG Fashion’s The Daily Group publishes The Daily Front Row, the bi-monthly Fashion Mini, The Daily Front Row Extra and www.fashionweekdaily.com, all content that is also syndicated to newspapers and magazines across the globe.
The divisions network also includes IMG Models, the world’s number one modeling agency with offices in New York, London, Paris and Milan and Art + Commerce, the worlds leading agency for photographers, art directors, stylists and makeup artists.
For more information on IMG and its business visit www.imgworld.com.
About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2007, Mercedes-Benz USA became the title sponsor of IMG’s New York, Los Angeles and Miami Fashion Weeks, signifying the first time all three properties have been united under a single sponsor. Mercedes-Benz is also the title sponsor of the inaugural Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin taking place in July 2007. In 2006, Mercedes-Benz USA achieved an all-time sales record of 248,080 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 13 consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.
Berlin Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, July 2007
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will be held for the first time in Berlin, from July 12th - 15th, 2007, thus cementing Berlin’s status as a fashion capital. This is a showcase for the Spring/Summer 2008 Collections.
This latest Fashion Week event will showcase top international and German designers presenting their latest designs. One of these premium brands — Stuttgart — is already the title sponsor of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, which is highly regarded as one of the four most important international fashion events.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin will also serve to provide young designers with an important platform, thus drawing attention to their designs.
As partner of this fashion event, together with the City of Berlin, Mercedes-Benz is supporting the organiser IMG in their efforts to establish the new four-day series of fashion shows which will be taking place for the first time next July at the Brandenburger Tor exhibition grounds.
Industry watchers see the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin as creating a new platform combining emotion and experience and will arouse enthusiasm for new ideas about stylish, visionary design among its visitors. Reports from Berlin say that Mercedes-Benz decided to become involved with the world of fashion as design and style also play a central role in creating new automobiles and are among the most important factors contributing to the success of the brand.
Here are a few pictures of the venue at tbe Brandenburg Gate:


Los Angeles Fashion Week Sponsors: The Official Tequila
It makes me laugh to think that as a sponsor, Gran Centenario becomes the official tequila of Los Angeles Fashion Week. The following was taking from the LA Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week site:
“Gran Centenario is proud to be the official Tequila of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios Favored among Tequila drinkers and cocktail aficionados the world over, Gran Centenario ultra-premium Tequilas have been recognized as one of Mexico’s leading Tequilas for over one hundred years Rooted in time-honored tradition and expert craftsmanship, Gran Centenario’s select portfolio of 100% Agave Tequilas are recognized for their remarkable smoothness and versatility.
“Gran Centenario is made of the finest, sweetest, softest Highland Blue Agave, chosen after a generous life of 10 to 12 years, beyond the usual eight years for other Tequilas The hearts of the Agave are baked Gran Centenario Tequila - the most tempting tequila on earth! for up to 72 hours in traditional clay ovens to guarantee that even the subtlest flavors of the Agave remain After the resulting liquid is fermented and distilled, it rests in oak barrels before being blended with aged Tequila reserves This process, known as Seleccion Suave, or smooth selection, is completely unique to Gran Centenario, which is still crafted in the same manner as when Lazaro Gallardo originally created it in 1857 During this stage, the Master Tequilero carefully monitors the progress of the Tequila and selects only the finest, smoothest, reserves for inclusion The result is a collection of three ultra-premium Tequilas - Plata (silver), Reposado (rested) and Añejo (aged) - each one heralded for their fine quality and unique flavor.
“Los Angeles fashionistas will be able to experience the heavenly taste of Gran Centenario cocktails- such as Angel’s Passion, Angel’s Heart, and Heavenly Ginger Margarita - at the Gran Centenario Tequila bar.”
Los Angeles Fashion Week Fall 2007 Collections Schedule
Here is the schedule for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Los Angeles for the Fall 2007 Collections:
SUNDAY MARCH 18th, 2007
1.00 - 8.00 PM DESIGN SUITES Softbox
3.00 PM JUAN CARLOS OBANDO The Lightbox
4.00 PM SUE WONG The Main Tent
6.00 PM VOOM BY JOY HAN Stage One
7.00 PM DINA BAR-EL The Lightbox
8.00 PM COLLECTION BEBE The Main Tent
MONDAY MARCH 19th, 2007
1.00 - 8.00 PM DESIGN SUITES Softbox
3.00 PM 2(X)IST The Lightbox
4.00 PM ED HARDY The Main Tent
6.00 PM TART Stage One
7.00 PM JOSEPH DOMINGO The Lightbox
8.00 PM IMITATION OF CHRIST The Main Tent
TUESDAY MARCH 20th, 2007
1.00 - 8.00 PM DESIGN SUITES Softbox
4.00 PM JOEY TIERNEY The Main Tent
6.00 PM ALVIN VALLEY Stage One
7.00 PM LITERATURE NOIR The Lightbox
WEDNESDAY MARCH 21st, 2007
1.00 - 8.00 PM DESIGN SUITES Softbox
2.00 PM GRAIL Stage One
3.00 PM RAMI KASHOU The Lightbox
4.00 PM MONARCHY COLLECTION The Main Tent
6.00 PM SAMORA Stage One
7.00 PM ANTHONY FRANCO The Lightbox
8.00 PM CHRISTIAN AUDIGIER The Main Tent
THURSDAY MARCH 22nd, 2007
1.00 - 8.00 PM DESIGN SUITES Softbox
3.00 PM CHARLOTTE SOLNICKI The Lightbox
6.00 PM THRIVE Stage One
7.00 PM OLIGO TISSEW The Lightbox
8.00 PM KEVAN HALL The Main Tent
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week: Berlin, Germany
The news around town is that there will be a new Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week hosted in Berlin for the Spring/Summer 2008 Collections. As usual, the event is produced by IMG Fashion. This will be Germany’s first official Fashion Week event! As such, Berlin Fashion Week will serve as a “platform for international designers and fashion brands in one of Europe’s fashion capitals.”
Berlin is otherwise known for its being an ecclectic artist’s haven. I recently travelled to Berlin and was amazed by the diversity and importance of artistic representation in the city. Not only does the city have incredible history, but it also uses its art as a means of expression and definition beyond that history. Or rather, the historical background and the art go hand-in-hand. I, for one, think hosting a Fashion Week in Berlin is long overdue. Fashion is as much an art form as any other, and I think that it’s good to move beyond the traditional boundaries that encompass the fashion industry and overly restrict it to centers like Paris, Milan, and New York.
Fashion Week Berlin will be from July 12 to July 15, 2007. The event will be hosted at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin Mitte, Germany.
I’ll post more information as it becomes available.
The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection: Kimberly Guilfoyle
This is a little tidbit that I’m putting out there, seeing as I’m from San Francisco. Apparently Kimberly Guilfoyle — currently a Fox News anchor and formerly the wife of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom — walked the runway at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York earlier this month. She was wearing a dress for The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection. The show was part of a program at the National Institutes of Health to promote awareness of heart disease in women. According to SFist.com, this is an issue close to Ms. Guilfoyle because it took the lives of both of her grandmothers.
Source: SFist.com.