The ZonePerfect® Nutrition Bar brand recently introduced its new line of ZonePerfect Indulgence Nutrition Squares during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Bryant Park. As fashion aficionados head to the runways at Bryant Park to indulge in the latest collections, they can satisfy cravings – without fretting over the nutrition label – by unwrapping one of the ZonePerfect brand’s three new decadent nutrition squares.

Like fashion, ZonePerfect Indulgence Nutrition Squares are a tasteful way to enjoy decadence. The ZonePerfect brand’s latest innovation features three classic dessert flavors including Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse, Caramel Toffee and German Chocolate Cheesecake. Each square has a soft, whipped center, 18-19 vitamins and minerals and an excellent source of 10-11 grams of protein.

In its ongoing support of creativity and the arts, the ZonePerfect brand is the official nutrition bar of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

“The ZonePerfect brand is proud to help fuel fashion enthusiasts as they indulge in the latest runway collections at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Whether you’re running from runway to runway in Bryant Park or running to catch the latest film after work, ZonePerfect Indulgence Nutrition Squares give you the satisfaction of taking a stress-free moment for yourself to enjoy a chocolaty treat.”– Julia Stoner, Senior Brand Manager of ZonePerfect Nutrition Bars

A metal bath of vibrant contrasts dazzled New York, courtesy of Custo Barcelona. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York was once again the setting for the presentation of the designer’s new autumn-winter 2010-11 collection.

Sparkling metals melted into pure lines to form new volumes that contrast with the warmth of fur. Bryant Park tent provided the backdrop and an attentive audience of more than 800 people from all over the world, including actresses like Gossip Girl’s Connor Paola, One Life to Live’s Tika Sumper or Miss USA Kristen Dalton and Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez, attended the show.

Under the name ‘Hairy Metal’, Custo Barcelona presented a collection where the indisputable protagonists were metallic sparkles. New York saw a strong, energetic and contemporary collection, in keeping with a new era.  Bronze, steel, gold, black and rust comprise a new colour palette which is mixed with graphics inspired by mercury, melted silver, red hot iron and tin.

The cold of metal is contrasted with fake fur, which has been developed in every imaginable form. Hairs of different lengths and colours have been mixed together to create new graphic effects that are sinuous, geometric or crossed. Different types of furs have also been mixed with wools to match the colour graphics and produce volumes that create new depth.

A primitive looking collection that brings cold and warmth face-to-face. Of contrasting looks.  Of melting metals. A veritable ode to the periodic table of elements. An invitation to experiment. A mysterious and spectacular show courtesy of Custo Barcelona, who has managed to surprise us once again.

We are proud to announce that Fashion For Relief™-Haiti NYC, 2010 will take center stage at this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on the evening of February 12th. This spectacular runway show and auction will be held in aid of CARE to raise crucial funds towards rebuilding Haiti’s healthcare system for mothers and children. It will be hosted by Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, and feature internationally recognized designers, celebrities and VIPs. The donation is tax deductible and 100% of the event ticket sales will benefit CARE.

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization, fighting global poverty with a special focus on working with poor women. CARE, with a long time presence in Haiti, and now after the earthquake, is the leading agency working with new mothers to help them with breastfeeding and making sure no babies die from mixing powdered milk with dirty water. It also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.

Fashion For Relief™ began five years ago as a way to galvanize the fashion community and its generosity in times of need. Fashion For Relief’s™ first show, in 2005, was held during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City and raised $1 million for the Hurricane Katrina relief. In 2007, over £1 million was raised for the Rotary Flood & Disaster and in 2008, Sarah Brown helped us to raise thousands for the White Ribbon Alliance. Last year Fashion For Relief™ was presented during Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, India and raised funds after the 26/11 bombings. Additional Fashion For Relief™ events were held in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Proceeds raised this year will go directly to saving lives of women, children and newborns across the recently earthquake stricken Haiti.

Legendary fashion photographer Nick Knight continues to push the paradigm shift in fashion show presentation by collaborating with designers Alexander Wang and Rodarte, digitally presenting their Collections on his ground breaking website SHOWstudio in an initiative supported by Mercedes-Benz.  Alexander Wang’s show will be presented on February 13 at 5:00 PM EST and Rodarte on February 16 at 12:00 PM EST.

“I see the future of fashion weeks around the world as not only a physical schedule of shows, but also as a digital calendar of fashion experiences online, which bridge the industry and consumer experience,” said Nick Knight, Director of SHOWstudio.  “When the industry talks about the ‘future of fashion weeks’ this is ultimately where they will arrive.”

The fashion shows, live on SHOWstudio.com and viewable after the presentations, continue an increasing trend which sees more and more designers digitally capturing their fashion shows and presenting them either live online, or as film vignettes.  Mercedes-Benz, along with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week organizer IMG Fashion, plans to promote the digital experiences on their calendars and via their web properties.

“Working with Nick Knight and SHOWstudio is truly an honor. We are so excited to bring our show to a new platform, and to do something truly innovative in the way it is presented to our audience,” said Alexander Wang.

“With each Rodarte show, we aim to create a visual and experiential immersion for the audience. Working with Nick Knight to bring our next show environment to a wider audience is a thrilling opportunity,” said Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte.

“Karl Benz experimented with the first gas engine almost 125 years ago resulting in the invention of the automobile. Access provides new experiences and Nick Knight is at the forefront of pushing the fashion industry deeper into the digital realm.  The fashion world is transforming,” said Lisa Holladay, manager brand experience marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA.  “Alexander Wang and Rodarte are innovative designers and supporting them within this type of digital movement personifies our heritage and the cutting-edge technology that goes into every Mercedes-Benz vehicle,” added Holladay.

Akvinta® Vodka, the First Mediterranean Luxury Vodka, is proud to announce their partnership with IMG Fashion as the official vodka of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  Akvinta, which launched in the UK last year and officially launched in the US this month, will be available at all bars in the tents, including the main lobby bar, as well as the hospitality bars (IMG, Mercedes-Benz and American Express Skybox). Akvinta Vodka will also be featured in numerous cocktails throughout Fashion Week, most notably our signature cocktail, the Akvinta Gold Cooler.

“We are extremely excited to announce Akvinta® Vodka’s US launch this month building on a very successful introduction in the UK last year,” said Jeff Becker, President, Akvinta USA Inc. “What better way to introduce Akvinta to New York then to do so at the most important fashion event of the season? We’re honored to officially launch at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and we look forward to an ongoing presence in the fashion industry as we become available across the country.”

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is all about the fabulous clothes on the runway, but what makes these clothes really work…and makes them personal is how they are accessorized! The most important element to a flawless ensemble is the bold necklace, the earrings…the all important handbag.

This season Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is pleased to present an exclusive preview to all the hot new trends in accessories for Spring/Summer 2010. Visit the ‘Accessories Exhibit’ in the main lobby tent to see and celebrate these irresistible elements of fashion.

Featured designers include accessory veterans and some fresh new faces such as…

Ambrosi Abrianna
Blending Ambrosi and Abrianna’s individual tastes and creativity, their first handbag collection presents quality products built from a range of truly distinctive designs and materials, including crocodile, python and ostrich leathers that are collected from around the world and sent to Paris and Milan for handmade construction.

W Hotels The Store
Inspired by the design of five new international watches, these new W boutiques present a unique collection which exemplifies the fashionable spirit of the W Hotel franchise around the world. It features exclusive items from such acclaimed designers as Rachel Leigh, Lauren Merkin, Alex and Ani, and Foley & Corrina.

Lisa Kornman Luxe
Lisa Kornman’s collection began in 2000, crafting handbags from the finest Italian vegetable tanned leathers, exotic skins and unique hardware. Each piece evokes both individuality and a ladylike sensibility with its signature clutches and satchels.

Subversive Jewelry
Subversive introduces the new diffusion line inspired by the New-Dadaist Memphis Design movement of the 1980’s and created for those with an eye for proportion and balance. The collection explores a wide variety of materials such as gold toned metals, semi-precious stones and rhinestone chains.

Isharya
The hot up-and-coming designer draws influence from the Indian royalty and the International Art Nouveau style of the early 20th century. Every season the sister-in-law duo never fails to create luxurious collections with original materials and global appeal.

Bindya NY
Bindya NY’s effortlessly chic and luxurious wearable art is styled for every personality and inspired by the designer’s trips to Paris and India. The collection is most famous for their tie-dyed cashmere scarves, gauzy shawls and fabulous wraps made from the finest quality blends of cashmere, wool and silk.

Judith Ripka
This line of fine jewelry makes a woman feel beautiful in either blue jeans or a little black dress. Two distinct collections, the 19k Couture Collection and Silver Collection are celebrated by the red carpet elite for it modern elegance and sophistication.

Lulu Frost
This fashion forward collection presents a fusion of old and new. Lulu searches for one-of-a-kind period antiques and reinterprets these rare finds by combining them with unexpected modern elements and stylistic treatments to create the most interesting and beautiful collection possible.

Alex Soldier
This magnificent collection is a work of art, representing a constantly evolving combination of shape, color and texture. His designs reveal a true passion for distinction and introduce innovative techniques for decorating metal surfaces and pushing the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship.

Carlos Falchi
In 1979 Carlos Falchi made his first deconstructed bag, the unlined buffalo satchel, that launched his career as a distinctive and detail oriented designer dedicated to the quality of the products and how the colors, styles and shapes make a woman feel. His revolution in handbag making has catapulted his career into the big leagues, designing for runway collections, celebrities, television, and major motion pictures.

Mercedes-Benz Lifestyle Collection
For over a decade, Mercedes-Benz has offered an exclusive collection for the vehicle enthusiast. The collection includes fashionable women’s and men’s apparel, accessories, luggage and watches designed by Tourneau. Signature pieces include the “Seatbelt Bag”, made from genuine seatbelt material and Mercedes-Benz pedal cars. Beginning fall 2009 they will also be partnering with Nike Golf for a series of new accessories.

In addition to the world’s leading accessories partners, the official Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week schedule includes a fill line up of runway shows from Michael Angel, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Davidelfin, Duckie Brown, Mara Hoffman, Nicholas K, Whitney Eve, Ports 1961, Rosa Chà, Cesar Galindo, Cynthia Steffe, Yigal Azrou?l, Twinkle by Wenlan, Charlotte Ronson, Monarchy Collection, Leifsdottir, Nicole Miller, ARISE African Promise Collective, Erin Wasson x RVCA, Venexiana, Lacoste, Georges Chakra, Andy & Debb, Academy of Art University, Christian Siriano, Chado Ralph Rucci, Vivienne Tam, Lela Rose, Derek Lam, Toni Maticevski, DKNY, Thuy, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rebecca Taylor, Y-3, Tuleh, Custo Barcelona, Vassilios Kostetsos, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Jill Stuart, Tracy Reese, Donna Karan New York, Yeohlee, Tadashi Shoji, TonyCohen, Gottex, Badgley Mischka, Brian Reyes, 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, Maria Pinto, Doo.Ri, Ralph Lauren, Allude, Isaac Mizrahi, Trias, Calvin Klein Collection, Chocheng, Argentine Designer Collections and Tommy Hilfiger.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is proud to introduce some highlights from this season’s official sponsors. Each of these sponsors will be providing hospitality, services and amenities to make this exciting week of shows as enjoyable and pleasant as possible for all attendees. Detailed below is featured sponsor news for the Spring/Summer 2010 Collections.

DHL
·         DHL returns once again to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for the sixth season as the Official Logistics Provider of IMG’s Fashion Weeks in the U.S. and around the world.
·         As the world’s leading logistics service provider for the fashion industry, DHL’s presence in more than 225 countries and territories ensures that the latest collections from international designers arrive at fashion shows around the world on time.
·          Helping to iron out all the details of international shipping, DHL is offering a free 26 page importing handbook for the fashion industry

American Express®
·         American Express® is proud to return to the Tents this season, connecting Cardmembers with many of their favorite designers and taking them even deeper into the world of fashion through memorable experiences under the Tents at Bryant Park.
·         As one of the only opportunities for real consumers to experience the excitement at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Platinum Card® and Gold Cardmembers will be given an up-close view of runway shows from the Jonathan Adler-designed American Express® Skybox, where designers and industry influencers will mingle with Cardmembers and Skybox Host Kate Nobelius to share their personal fashion insights and unique industry perspectives.
·         American Express® has partnered with acclaimed fashion designer Phillip Lim this season to present a unique runway experience exclusively for card members on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 10:00pm.  The evening will feature insights from Lim, and hosts André Leon Talley and Linda Fargo into 3.1 phillip lim looks currently available at retail, followed by an encore presentation of the 3.1 phillip lim Spring/Summer 2010 collection that debuted to press and industry guests the previous day.
·         As a true supporter of the industry, American Express® will donate proceeds from the sale of event packages as part of its $250,000 donation to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, a CFDA program to help emerging American designers succeed in the business of fashion by providing ongoing support.

W Hotels Worldwide
·         W Hotels Worldwide returns to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week for the 12th consecutive season with its Backstage VIP Lounge, offering celebrities, designers, models and fashion’s elite an escape from the “scene” behind the scenes.
·         Designed by ICRAVE, this season the W Backstage VIP Lounge has been inspired by W’s existing and upcoming WET pool decks at W Hotels around the globe, from South Beach to Hong Kong, Santiago to Vieques Island, and Doha to Hollywood.
·         In support of W Hotels’ passions for Fashion and Entertainment, W’s Backstage VIP Lounge will feature a 3-track preview of the next W CD along with surprise music and fashion moments throughout the week.
·         W Hotels is an innovative contemporary lifestyle brand and the hotel category buster with 33 hotel and retreat properties in the most vibrant destinations around the world.

TRESemmé
·         TRESemmé will be proudly sponsoring and creating hair looks for the Tracy Reese, Whitney Eve, Mara Hoffman, Nicholas K. and Brian Reyes shows.
·         TRESemmé is partnering with Conde Nast for an exciting new “Steal the Show” campaign with Rachel Bilson, giving readers the inside scoop on hair-to-toe trends, debuting in November. Rachel Bilson will be LIVE on Tuesday, September 15th before the Brian Reyes show at the TRESemmé Hair Salon and Lounge.
·         TRESemmé stylists will be on-hand in the TRESemmé Hair Salon and Lounge in the main lobby offering dry styling and touch-ups all week or attendees may also visit the TRESemmé Hair Salon and Lounge to watch live runway feeds throughout the week on their flat screen TV. The TRESemmé Hair Salon and Lounge is equipped with laptop computers, allowing guests to check out exciting posts and exclusive videos at www.TRESemme.com/BryantPark.
·         TRESemmé will be sampling their #1 selling Moisture Rich Shampoo and Conditioner along with their TRESemmé TRES Two Hairspray.

LU Biscuits:
·         The official “Chic Little Biscuit” of this year’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, LU Biscuits, best known for its delicious imported French cookies, will be releasing an ultra-chic and limited edition tin designed by fashion designer Erin Fetherston.
·         The exclusive design provides a modern twist to the timeless LU Biscuit iconography and brings Fetherston’s passion for the brand to life.
Chambord:
·         Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur will be serving up its own version of style as the official liqueur of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
·         The all-natural liqueur, produced in France’s Loire Valley, will be on the scene for the fourth consecutive year in the Tents at Bryant Park, maintaining its reputation for producing chic cocktails.
·         The cocktails Chambord will feature are: The Classic Chambord French Martini, The Velvet Elvis (a rocking combination of Chambord and Jack Daniel’s) and for the calorie conscious, The Chambord Lemonade (Vodka, Chambord and sugar free lemonade).

Maybelline New York:
As the #1 makeup brand worldwide, available in 128 countries, Maybelline New York has signed on as the exclusive makeup sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and will bring their vast beauty expertise and inspired creativity to the world’s most respected fashion platform.
Maybelline New York’s Global Makeup Artist, Charlotte Willer, will lead the makeup teams at their sponsored designers’ shows, creating exciting looks easily translatable from the catwalk to the sidewalk.
Maybelline New York will partner with a selection of well established, as well as up-and-coming, designers at the Tents including: DKNY, Tracy Reese, Charlotte Ronson, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Erin Wasson x RVCA, and Michael Angel.
To discover Maybelline New York’s makeup looks for fashion week and find out about the latest and greatest spots in NYC, log on to www.maybellinelovesfashion.com starting September 10, 2009.
To get the insider’s scoop on everything fashion week, follow the Maybelline insider on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MNYInsider.

O.N.E. Water
·         One Natural Experience (O.N.E.), offers water in Tetra Pak cartons which will be available to all guests frequenting the shows, backstage and throughout the Tents. This sponsorship marks the first time that carton water will be featured as an official water sponsor.
·         O.N.E. is dedicated to the belief that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and therefore donates 100% of the profits from O.N.E Water (after operating expenses) to non-profit organizations, selecting 10-15 non-profits annually to receive funds from the sales.
·         Tetra Pak, www.tetrapakusa.com, the company behind this modern sustainable alternative packaging, utilized by numerous brands for a variety of food products, will also be making its debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, where they will be facilitating on-site recycling.

McCafé Coffees
·         McCafé Coffees is the collection on everyone’s lips this September when attendees from around the world indulge in the latest in coffee couture.
·          As the official coffee of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the McCafé Lounge is the place for show attendees to refresh and treat themselves to the full line of beverages, including espresso-based coffees such as cappuccinos, lattes, mochas, iced lattes and iced mochas, as well as Premium Roast brewed coffees and hot chocolate.
·         All McCafé Coffees start with fully-ripened Arabica coffee beans from Central and South America and Indonesia. From there, each drink is made to order with quality ingredients like caramel, hazelnut, vanilla and sugar-free vanilla syrups, rich chocolate, frothy steamed milk and whipped cream
·         McCafé will also be hitting the runway as a sponsor for menswear designer duo Duckie Brown’s Spring 2010 Collection show. McDonald’s will be providing McCafé coffee backstage before and after the Duckie Brown show.

Palm, Inc.
·         Palm, Inc., the maker of the new Palm(r) Pre(tm) phone and groundbreaking Palm webOS(tm) platform, is excited to be a first-time sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
·         All Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week attendees are invited to stop by the Palm Gallery, located in the Main Lobby, to experience Palm’s blend of design and innovation in their must-see space, inspired by the artistry of one of California’s most promising designers.

The New York Times
·         The New York Times Style Magazine will distribute a commemorative tote bag during Mercedes-Benz Fashion week at select venues. The tote was designed exclusively for The New York Times’ 5th anniversary by the acclaimed fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld and will feature a Chanel-inspired New York Times logo. Inside the tote bag will be the 5th anniversary issue of The New York Time’s Women’s Fashion and the September 13, 2009 Men’s Fall Fashion issue.

The official Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week schedule kicks off with Michael Angel followed by BCBGMAXAZRIA, Davidelfin, Duckie Brown, Mara Hoffman, Nicholas K, Whitney Eve, Ports 1961, Rosa Chà, Cesar Galindo, Cynthia Steffe, Yigal Azrou?l, Twinkle by Wenlan, Charlotte Ronson, Monarchy Collection, Leifsdottir, Nicole Miller, ARISE African Promise Collective, Erin Wasson x RVCA, Venexiana, Lacoste, Georges Chakra, Andy & Debb, Academy of Art University, Christian Siriano, Chado Ralph Rucci, Vivienne Tam, Lela Rose, Derek Lam, Toni Maticevski, DKNY, Thuy, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rebecca Taylor, Y-3, Tuleh, Custo Barcelona, Vassilios Kostetsos, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Jill Stuart, Tracy Reese, Donna Karan New York, Yeohlee, Tadashi Shoji, TonyCohen, Gottex, Badgley Mischka, Brian Reyes, 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, Maria Pinto, Doo.Ri, Ralph Lauren, Allude, Isaac Mizrahi, Trias, Calvin Klein Collection, Chocheng, Argentine Designer Collections and Tommy Hilfiger.

Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined by DHL, American Express®, W Hotels Worldwide, TRESemmé, LU Biscuits, Peroni, Chambord, Maybelline New York, O.N.E. One Natural Experience, McDonald’s McCafé, and Palm, Inc., as well as the following media outlets The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily, and Getty Images.

Fashion Week, Creative Director Mykel C. Smith announces MX ESSENTIALS debut collection ” The Star Collection” during New York’s famed fashion week in September. “As creative director it is an honor to work with MX ESSENTIALS in developing the visual image of the brand”., said Mykel

Maria Moore the creative chemist of MX ESSENTIALS is destined to garner a reputation for being on the pulse, fashionable, innovative, and fun-much like Maria Moore the latino entrepeneur. From unique products, to naming her collection ” The Star Collection” with a wicked sense of humor and undeniably glamorous formulas, MX ESSENTIALS truly lives up to the brand’s philosophy: “It’s not where you come from, but where you are going”

With the hottest color combinations and the ability to customize your look, MX ESSENTIALS delivers revolutionary, cutting-edge cosmetics, state of the art simplicity and a high-fashion finish. No matter what the look, MX ESSENTIALS allows you the power to be whomever you want which is the perfect way for a woman to express yourself.

With Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week around the corner, CUSTO BARCELONA is proud to announce its move from The Promenade to The Tent. The brand has presented two collections per year at New York Fashion Week for over twelve years. This September, due to a consistently overwhelming response from national and international media outlets, buyers, opinion leaders and VIP’s CUSTO BARCELONA will move the show into the largest venue offered by IMG. In a time of downsizing and cutbacks from other designers, CUSTO BARCELONA is expanding in size and striving in all business endeavors. This change of venue is integral to the growth of the CUSTO BARCELONA brand and representative of Custo Dalmau’s position as one of the fashion industries fearless risk-takers.

“The runway is experimental for us. Where we introduce new techniques, take risks, and have fun” states Custo Dalmau.

About Custo Barcelona

Custo Barcelona is a European designer brand based in Barcelona, Spain, with 80 stores in 35 countries worldwide including 18 in the United States. Custo Barcelona caters to women, men and children with a European flair, a love for the arts, adventurous, confident and with an independent sense of style. The company counts on a global fan base rather than customers due to the passion associated with the brand which is directly related to the Mediterranean passion emitted from the designer Custo Dalmau himself.

Fashion needs your help!  On the first night of New York Fashion Week, Fashion and Art come together for a night of glamour and cool shopping with the advent of “VOGUE FASHION’S NIGHT OUT” in New York City.  Coordinated by the U.S. and international editions of Vogue, the Big Apple joins its sister fashion capitals around the world— From London to Paris, from Moscow to Mumbai, from Beijing to Milan –in a global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion.

COSTUME NATIONAL is a proud participant of “Vogue Fashion’s Night Out.”  Come explore our exquisite new SoHo space and take in the exciting visual art of Shinique Smith, from the Yvon Lambert Gallery, who will intrigue shoppers with an art installation brought in exclusively for this very important shopping event. Costume National Creative Director, Ennio Capasa, has always supported contemporary creativity in all its expressions: from art, to cinema to design. In addition, the boutique, along with other participating retailers, will remain open late until 11 p.m., to help maximize shopping time and stimulate purchases.

In addition, shoppers can pick-up special T-shirts created by the CFDA at the Costume National boutique for this shopping event.  Your purchase of a “Fashion Night Out” tee will benefit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center.  For more information, visit www.fashionsnightout.com.

COSTUME NATIONAL & SHINIQUE SMITH FOR THE YVON LAMBERT GALLERY, in conjunction with American Vogue, NYC & Company, the City of New York, AMEX, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)

Thursday, September 10, 2009 6pm -11pm

Costume National Boutique Located at 160 Mercer Street, SoHo, New York

About Shinique Smith

Shinique Smith, represented by the Yvon Lambert Gallery, Paris and New York,  is an American artist who brings the anonymous aspects of life to the forefront, examining her own footing within the world. Her latest work, “Ten Times Myself,” a series of paintings and sculptures inspired from song lyrics, is a self-imposed call to be bolder and to go from one to ten without remorse. Infusing an ardent style owed to Abstract Expressionism and Japanese Calligraphy, Smith’s work has been exhibited in solo and group exhibitions internationally at venues including the National  Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.; the New Museum, New York; Deutsche Guggenheim, Berlin; PS 1 Contemporary Arts Center, New York; and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, Colorado.