Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week enjoyed a stellar season, as the runways of Bryant Park once again featured talented designers from all parts of the globe.  The Tents hosted plenty of veteran designers such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, Anna Sui, Zac Posen, Carolina Herrera and Max Azria (for three shows), brought their classic elegance and focused designs to the fashion industry throngs. Several of the season’s newcomers, like William Rast (with Justin Timberlake & Trace Ayala in tow), Mackage, Adam and ThisDay/ARISE African Fashion Collective also received their chance to display their talent on the global fashion stage. They, along with others from Nanette Lepore, Tracy Reese and Dennis Basso showed their collections to great praise from the world’s press in Bryant Park. Highlighting the fashion parade were 50 fabulous looks from 50 designers to celebrate Barbie®’s 50th anniversary.

“With all eyes, pens, cameras, microphones on the fashion industry this week, asking and reporting on the economic climate’s affect on fashion, the consensus is very clear that the designers have all worked long and hard to design collections to inspire shoppers to get back in the stores,” said Fern Mallis, Senior Vice-President of IMG Fashion. “From a variety of new basics and investment clothes, to colorful happy looks that lift us all and make it irresistible, the energy in the Tents, around the city, the parties, receptions and attendance throughout week was as good as ever!”

“Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week continues to hold its poll position as the premier fashion event in the United States. Despite ever-changing economic conditions, design and creativity were in abundance this past week on the runways and throughout the Bryant Park Tents,” said Lisa Holladay, Brand Experience Marketing Manager at Mercedes-Benz USA.

Celebrating the link between automotive and fashion design, Mercedes-Benz sponsored the official opening event for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Shang restaurant on Friday, February 13th in New York City’s Lower East Side. The head-turning, limited edition SL65 AMG Black Series was on public display for the first time in New York City at the event. A special acoustic performance by The Virgins rounded out the evening for designer, industry notable and celebrity guests which included Michelle Trachtenberg, Amanda Bynes, Brittany Snow, Christian Siriano, Tyrese, Kellie Pickler, Katie Lee Joel, Camille Guaty, Yigal Azrouël, Ryan Leslie, Jessica Stam, Eugenia Silva, Damien Fahey, Bethany Frankel and Grammy winner Chrisette Michelle.

Connecting with the colorful and optimistic looks seen on the runway, this season’s backstage Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge, was the result of a collaboration with Eric Villency, President and CEO of Maurice Villency on a design that embraced bright colors and whimsical motifs. During the week, the Star Lounge was the backstage destination for celebrities, VIP’s, press and Mercedes-Benz customer guests. Special events in the lounge included a champagne toast for this season’s “Mercedes-Benz Presents” designer Yigal Azrouël. Beyond backstage, two of the newest editions in Mercedes-Benz’s own collection were displayed in the front lobby, the SL63 AMG Edition IWC and the GLK350. Capturing the energy and insider buzz of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz has posted behind the scenes content on You Tube, including a backstage interview with the Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer Yigal Azrouël, which is available at www.youtube.com/mbusa.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicked off the season with The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection 2009, continuing to raise national awareness about women’s risks of heart disease.  After the show, an online auction of the red dresses at clothesoffourback.org raised funds for the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health. The Heart Truth’s Lobby lounge distributed information about the campaign with materials about heart disease, risk factors and how to prevent it. Guests also pinned “VIACTIVâ Promises” to a branded cardboard model.

To celebrate Barbie®’s unparalleled fashion influence on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 50 world-renowned fashion designers came together for the first time ever and showcased real-size Barbie® inspired looks in a fun, fabulous, over the top fashion show in the Tent.  In this monumental fashion celebration, designer looks were organized as the past, present and future of Barbie®.  In addition to the runway show, Barbie® filled the Lobby fountain with a fabulous display of dolls, iconic Barbie® photography and original Rootstein ‘Barbie®’ mannequins.

Reaffirming their love affair with fashion, The world’s leading journalists, editors, producers and retailers shared the front row with celebrities such as Heidi Klum, Lucy Liu, Alicia Keys, Grace Jones, Kanye West, Kate Bosworth, Selma Blair, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel, Claire Danes, Natasha Bedingfield, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Rachel Bilson, Taylor Momsen, Michelle Trachtenberg, Zoe Saldana, Lindsay Lohan, Samantha Ronson, Eva Longoria-Parker, Beth Ostrosky Stern, Emile Hirsch, Kim Raver, Diane Kruger, Estelle, Joshua Jackson, Aisha Tyler, Mary J. Blige, Monica, Ryan Lochte, Common, Coco Rocha, Keisha Whitaker, Molly Simms, Brittany Snow, Julia Stiles, LeAnn Marshall, Fonzworth Bently, January Jones, Emmy Rossum, Becki Newton, Eric Mabius, Matthew Settle, Minka Kelly, Kristen Bell, Sophia Bush, Akon, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Rufus Wainwright, Annalynne McCord, Danielle Panabaker, Forest Whittaker, Amanda Bynes, Jessica Stroup, Mischa Barton, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Tim Gunn, JC Chasez, Damien Fahey, Solange Knowles, Aubrey O’Day, Dean McDermott, Tori Spelling, Mario, Joy Bryant, Kat deLuna, Kelly Pickler, Kellan Lutz, Rex Lee, Christopher Meloni, Calvin Pace, Carolina Bacardi, Derek Watkins, Faune Chambers, Kiera Chaplin, Leigh Lezark, Lily Collins, Veronica Webb, Alexie Gilmore, Camille Gauty, May Anderson, Vernon Davis, Mark Idelicato, Erin Lucas, Dayana Mendoza, Gretta Monahan, Ovie Mughelli, Darrelle Revis, Crystal Stewart, Tamara Feldman, Irina Pantaeva, Joanne DeGuardiola, Lydia Finet, Suzanne Johnson, Eva Amurri, Rob and Marisol Thomas, Alison Brie, Casey Spooner, Terence Koh, Alexandra Richards, Marky Ramone, Leven Rambin, Alexie Gilmore, Camille Guaty, Katrina Bowden, Mickey Rourke, Shane Grimes, Tamara Feldman, Rufus Wainwright, Laura Albert, Nicole Richie, Diana Ross, Katherine McPhee, Zoe Kravitz, Reggie Bush, Rosin Murphy, Julianne Margulies, Cheyenne Jackson, Jane Krakowski, Nastia Lukin, Sandra Bernhard, among others.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors.  The hospitality, services, products, samples and amenities the sponsors provided contributed to make an exciting week of shows as enjoyable and pleasant as possible for all attendees.

American Express hosted Gold, Platinum and Centurion Cardmembers in their exclusive Skybox overlooking the Tent and the Promenade. They viewed runway shows with a level of access like no other in a space designed by Jonathan Adler, design expert and lead judge on Bravo TV’s Top Design. This season, the Skybox host, Kate Nobelius, provided Cardmembers with her personal insight into the runway action and VIP players.  Cardmembers also had exclusive access to a consultation with a Bergdorf Goodman personal shopper, who was in attendance during each Skybox session.

As if viewing the latest fashions wasn’t enough, Chambord was back in the Tents as the Official Liqueur sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  Their products and signature cocktails were featured at all of the event bars and hospitality lounges.  This season they showcased the Chambord French Martini, Chambord Lemonade and the Velvet Elvis.  Celebrating this year’s theme, “the art of the fashion illustration”, Chambord’s artists in residence at the Chambord booth personalized a 5-7 minute digital fashion portrait and memorialize editors, celebrities and industry guests in their favorite fashion frocks and finery.  All portraits were downloadable and could be used for stationery, Facebook updates and more.

DHL, the Official International Express Delivery and Logistics Provider for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, sponsored the DHL Information and Guest Services Desk, and provided DHL branded literature and bags for guests.  DHL hawkers distributed The Daily Front Row from branded messenger bags and DHL runners also assisted with sponsor seating.  DHL also provided branded luggage tags for the official event gift bag.

Just in time for spring, Havaianas brought back their popular “Spin the Wheel” game in their Lobby space.  Guests had the chance to spin for a prize which included various types of candy and branded premiums.  Havaianas will also hosted “Make Your Own Havaianas” exclusively for guests of IMG Fashion and American Express in the American Express Skybox and the IMG Lounge.

Judith Ripka hosted their elegant “boutique-style” space in the Lobby to display their season’s 18k Couture jewelry collection.  Their VIP guests tried on pieces in between attending runway shows.  Judith Ripka also hosted a reception in the IMG Lounge to celebrate their new ad campaign featuring Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss.  Reception guests will include Shoshanna, her close friends and invited press.

Who doesn’t like a little make over? M?A?C Cosmetics, the Official Cosmetics sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, entertained show-goers in the Lobby with an artist demonstrating the latest make-up trends, and they gave away face charts and pens.  Guests enjoyed water and wireless access from the M?A?C Cosmetics booth as well as today’s music.  Backstage the M?A?C Cosmetics
lounge was the hub of the beauty editor world, providing a quiet place to do interviews or speak to the fashion world through their metv video booth.  Here, editors, designers and fashion’s elite video taped themselves with their messages which were uploaded to style.com.  After 24 hours, the videos were uploaded M?A?C Cosmetics’ youtube site and distributed to industry bloggers.

This season’s attendees had TRESemmé fix their winded hair as the Official Hair Care Sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week returned to the Tents.  Not only did TRESemmé create beautiful looks on the runway at the Tracy Reese and William Rast shows, but it also created chic looks on Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week guests in the TRESemmé Hair Salon and Lounge in the Lobby.  Stylists provided touch-ups and TRESemmé ambassadors sampled their fabulous hair care products to guests throughout the week.

Through its “Style and Strength for Life” campaign, the VIACTIVâ Brand, in partnership with breakout fashion designer Ashleigh Verrier and her mother and business partner Jude Verrier, launched a year-long initiative during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to educate women.  VIACTIVâ samples were available in the Lobby throughout the week and VIACTIVâ girls, wearing Verrier designs, interacted with guests to promote its benefits.

YKK zipper lanyards were the necklace of choice for all Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week staff and press. YKK branded Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week pocket schedule cards were available for all attendees at the DHL Information & Guest Services Desk. And to hold all your goodies from your favorite shows, YKK eco-friendly bags were distributed in the lobby, at the Café and at the Press Office for all attendees.

Always the “happening lounge”, W Hotels Worldwide returned as the Official Hotel Partner of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  The W Hotels Worldwide backstage lounge was the hottest destination for VIPs and celebrities seeking some “Wuv” before and after shows.  W Hotels invited guests to groove to the live DJ and sip cocktails provided by their in-house mixologist.

Several signature cocktails and beverages served throughout the week included Peroni, Martini Gold Chocolate and Martini Gold Lemon Drop as well as Martini Gold Signature Cocktails – the Raspberry Truffle-tini and the Passionista, Coca-Cola and refreshing SmartWater. Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week joined together to create a recycling program for the Event to make the Tents “green”.  Co-branded recycling bins could be found everywhere and multiple daily pickups were made for recyclable materials including glass, plastic, aluminum and cardboard.