The Bryant Park, official venue for the staging of the fashion shows that form part of MERCEDES- BENZ FASHION WEEK” was the scenery for the premiére in New York of the Catalonian designer Toni Francesc, who closed the fashion shows program for the 15th September, receiving warm applauses from the nearly 500 people who attended his show.

Under the title “Water’s Mood”, Toni Francesc´s collection  for Spring-Summer 2010, offered an homage to the water in all its variants. A video installation in which several images of water could be seen – waves, currents and multiple sorts of water drops- gave the front scenery to the presentation of the collection, in which dominated a chromatic palette of blue tonalities, mixed with mauve shades. Besides that, khaki and sand tones, inspired in lakes and puddles, together with whites and grays, based in the color less quality of water. Drapes and pleatings worked on sheer materials like silk, showed an involving and sophisticated silhouette. In contrast to the soft textiles, the stiff materials, such as cotton, presented clean and very depured cuts, defining the feminine body though several details and a very depured pattern work. An original, sober and risky collection that received the applause of the public.

The Direction of the “MERCEDES BENZ FASHION WEEK” has included, at this edition in September 2009, 5 Spanish designers in its official fashion shows program. Besides Custo Dalmau and Miguel Adrover -who already are veterans at this catwalk-, three new Spanish designers have been chosen to show their creations for the first time at the shows in New York: Toni Francesc, Joaquín Trías and David Delfín –who already showed his collections in New York, but not yet in the official shows calendar-.

This event -which origins date back to the first “Fashion Press Days”, organized in the Big Apple back in 1943- is one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the world, habitually featuring the participation of many great figures within the world of fashion design, such as Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Narciso Rodriguez, Hervé Ledger and many other designers well known around the world.

Toni Francesc, who took part at the fashion shows organized by CIBELES MADRID FASHION WEEK last February, is one of the Spanish designers showing a really strong participation at a number of international fashion shows. Special witness to this designer’s meteoric rise shows over the last two years. Although his collection was presented at the CYBERPOT CENTER in HONG KONG in January 2006, it is in Mexico where the designer has established his main international market, being a frequent participant at FASHION WEEK in MEXICO, where he has presented his designs each season since October 2006. Furthermore, the Catalan designer presented fashion parades in September 2008 and March 2009 at the most important fashion event in Russia, RUSSIAN FASHION WEEK in Moscow.

Together with all the international fashion shows at which Toni Francesc has presented his cutting-edge ideas, the presentation of his collection within the official program at “MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK” in New York is undoubtedly a considerable success for the Catalan designer, as well as for the world of Spanish fashion design in general.

From September 10-17th, during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, designers, show producers, members of press, models and fashion followers can be found in the iconic tents in New York City’s Bryant Park. This season’s line up will once again host runway shows accommodating 300 to 1200 people as the established and up-and-coming designers set the trends and entice the world to buy their collections for next Spring/Summer 2010.

“All of us at IMG are proud of the caliber, talent and quality of designers who will be presenting their collections on America’s most renowned runways.” said Fern Mallis, SVP of IMG Fashion.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will kick off with Michael Angel followed by BCBGMAXAZRIA, Duckie Brown, Ports 1961, Cesar Galindo, Cynthia Steffe, Yigal Azrou?l, Charlotte Ronson, Nicole Miller, This Day/Arise: African Fashion Collective, Venexiana, Lacoste, Georges Chakra, Andy & Debb, Academy of Art University, Christian Siriano, Chado Ralph Rucci, Vivienne Tam, Lela Rose, Derek Lam, DKNY, Thuy, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rebecca Taylor, Tuleh, Custo Barcelona, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Jill Stuart, Tracy Reese, Donna Karan, Yeohlee, Tadashi Shoji, TonyCohen, Gottex, Badgley Mischka, Brian Reyes, Toni Maticevski, Pamella Roland, MAX AZRIA, Dennis Basso, Willow, Tibi, Narciso Rodriguez, Toni Francesc, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Milly by Michelle Smith, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Anna Sui, Doo.Ri, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, Trias, Calvin Klein, Chocheng, Argentinean Designer Collections and Tommy Hilfiger.

The Bryant Park Tents’ three venues include the Salon, the Promenade and the Tent. Over the course of 8 days, approximately 100,000 people will pass through these venues to attend shows, meet and greet the media, retailers and fashion professionals – each doing their business from morning to night.

Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined by DHL, American Express, Maybelline New York, W Hotels Worldwide, TRESemmé, McCafé, LU Biscuits, Peroni, Chambord and O.N.E.™ One Natural Experience as well as the following media outlets The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily and Getty Images. Each of these sponsors will be providing hospitality, services and amenities to make the hectic week of shows as effortless and pleasurable as possible for all attendees.

With Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week one month away, preparations are in full swing. Show producers, sponsors, fashion designers, members of the press, models and fashion followers from around the world will convene in New York City as the Fall 2009 Collections are presented. This season’s line up includes a number of established favorites, alongside emerging designers, who come together to let the fashion world know what they are up to.

“We are very proud and supportive of all the designers who continue to understand the power of the runway,” said Fern Mallis, SVP of IMG Fashion. “The effectiveness of producing a first-class, top notch show is the best marketing tool a designer has in this climate, and we look forward to working closely with each designer to maximize this opportunity.”

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicks off with the 7th edition of The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection 2009 and is followed by  Yigal Azrou?l, Duckie Brown, Charlotte Ronson, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Nicole Miller, This Day/Arise Magazine: African Fashion Collective 2009, Academy of Art University, Venexiana, Lacoste, Georges Chakra, Andy & Debb, ADAM, Barbie Runway Show™, Verrier, Monarchy, Lela Rose, Mara Hoffman, Nicholas K, Sergio Davila, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg, Akiko Ogawa., Erin Fetherston, Miss Sixty, Farah Angsana, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Tracy Reese, Tony Cohen, Terexov, William Rast, Cynthia Steffe, Badgley Mischka, Matthew Williamson, Pamella Roland, Diesel Black Gold, Dennis Basso, Cho Cheng, MAX AZRIA, Tibi, J. Mendel, Nanette Lepore, Michael Kors, Richard Chai, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Milly by Michelle Smith, Anna Sui, Tommy Hilfiger, Brian Reyes, Rebecca Taylor, Ports 1961, Custo Barcelona, Zac Posen, Project Runway and Tadashi Shoji. DKNY, Calvin Klein Men’s Collection, Y-3, Jill Stuart, Donna Karan New York, Yeohlee, Z Zegna, Calvin Klein Women’s Collection and Ralph Lauren are associate members on the official Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week calendar with shows off-site. Further details and announcements on this event will follow.

The iconic Bryant Park Tents offer three venues this season: the Promenade, the Salon and the Tent. Over the course of 8 days, approximately 100,000 people will pass through the tents to attend shows, meet and greet, do interviews, and see the business of fashion continue to be done from morning to night.

Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined by DHL, American Express, M?A?C Cosmetics, Judith Ripka, YKK, W Hotels Worldwide, Havaianas, TRESemmé, Barbie®, The Heart Truth Campaign, VIACTIV® , Peroni, Chambord and Martini Gold Mixers as well as the following media outlets The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily and Getty Images. Each of these sponsors will be providing hospitality, services and amenities to make the hectic week of shows as effortless and pleasurable as possible for all attendees.