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.

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.

The tents were buzzing with energy before the Narciso show; this was his grand return to Bryant Park after leaving in 2005 to show in Chelsea. While celebrities lined the catwalk once the lights went down and then back up an extremely bright intensity all eyes immediately focused on the clothes. Rodriguez played with the typical dress silhouette by using cut-outs, straps, and excess fabric. While the focus of the collection was definitely black he infused colors such as silver, blue, gold, and pink, which kept the black from being staid. He also showed a few full outfits of wither pink, yellow, or purple. The best part of the show however came at the end with the last three dresses. Each had a similar shiny- leather looking corset- like top and a fun light pink, mango, or sparkling black free flowing skirt. These were absolutely stunning and showed growth in Narciso’s style. They were so great in fact, that Rachel Weisz wore the last dress to Vanity Fairs Oscar party only a few weeks later.

The construction for the 3.1 Phillip Lim started way before it’s 3 o’clock call time. With a 3-hour break at the tent between his and Micheal Kors’s show everyone waited with abated breath for what the stellar Mr. Lim would pull out of his box of tricks. Yet when I entered my jaw still dropped to the floor I was so impressed. A huge stage was set up with bright lights overhead and the Lissy Trullie band playing. Models were pale faced with very close cropped bobs, perhaps Lim was looking to please Anna Wintour even more? The collection was dark and mysterious and all together fabulous. The palate was mostly black with a little beige and some colored pieces thrown in.

Without a doubt the strongest part of the collection was his amazing array of coats- nearly every look had one, each with their own look and style; some cropped blazers, some furs, some snake-skin rain coats and more. The collection was a feast for the eyes, however I couldn’t stop myself from drooling over the amazing Christian Louboutins parade down the runway.

Michael Kors knows how to put on a show like no other designer. All of his shows have the best music, the most current models and fun celebrity spotting. However for his fall 2009 collection all that fell to the waist-side as beautifully constructed clothes came out one after another. It was mostly heavy knit knee-length dresses in black or grey for women at the beginning of the show. Then gradually amazing neon color’s were incorporated, starting with hilariously bright orange, green, and pink fur hats and then there came dresses and coats of the same colors. This is truly where the show hit it’s stride, the ostentatious color was offset by the purity and beauty in the design of the clothes.

Simple shift dresses with amazing draping; an oversized flash-dance style shirt and luxurious coats were transformed from plain to unique. I can only imagine showing up at a party in the dead of the winter in a bright pink dress while everyone else is wearing a LBD, attempting to hide the extra’s pounds from the holiday season.

DHL, the world’s leading express delivery and logistics company, following two successful years working with IMG Fashion, returns for its third year as sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.  The annual designer fashion event introduces the 2009 fall fashion collections and highlights DHL’s role in delivering the latest fashions to runways and customers across the globe.

Fashion is a $250 billion global industry that moves quickly and relies on time-sensitive shipping and logistics. With its logistics leadership position in Asia, Europe and Central and South America — all markets that are important to the fashion industry — DHL is the premier provider of express services to the fashion industry and has the global resources to provide tailor-made transport solutions that address the latest trends in the fashion world and meet the specific needs of individual customers.

DHL’s regular services cover the entire logistics value chain of the fashion industry – from material purchasing to quality control of production and direct delivery to the boutiques of international fashion companies.  DHL’s commitment to the fashion sector also includes sample room management and consolidation services, and overnight door-to-door service from Asia with five flights to New York City with the latest pickup and the earliest delivery times into the city.

“Our Fashion Week sponsorship allows DHL to demonstrate our commitment to the industry and expertise in helping the fashion industry maximize sales, reduce risk and operate the entire supply chain expertly and efficiently,” said Charles Brewer, Senior Vice President & General Manager Northeast for DHL Express. “Fashion is an extremely time sensitive business, and now more than ever the choice of express delivery and logistics provider plays a vital role in meeting the industry’s success factors of cost efficiency and timeliness. That is why DHL maintains dedicated international shipping specialists at our Manhattan service center to support the fashion industry and offers the earliest delivery times into New York.”

DHL has also worked closely with customers in the fashion industry and other sectors to customize a helicopter service that provides quick transportation to and from Manhattan for international shipments.  After early morning arrival from direct flights to its international gateway at JFK, the helicopter service brings shipments directly to Manhattan in less than 10 minutes, cutting as much as a day off the time in transit for shipments – a feat unmatched by the competition.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York is presented annually in tents at Bryant Park in New York City. The invitation-only event, which runs this year February 13th – 20th, provides designers’ fall fashion collections to the national and international media, and industry insiders.

The New York sponsorship is part of an expanded relationship with DHL as the official express delivery and logistics partner for IMG’s Fashion Weeks around the world announced in 2008.   DHL also sponsors fashion events in Milan, London, Mexico City, Moscow, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Miami and Sydney.

Agreement to Host Biannual Events at Larger Space in Damrosch Park Area Starting Fall 2010 Will Allow Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to Continue to Grow in New York City

New York’s Fashion Week Generates $773 Million in Economic Activity, Supporting the City’s Fashion Industry and its 175,000 Jobs

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced an agreement to move New York City’s biannual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week events to Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center. The agreement between IMG Fashion and Lincoln Center, Inc. will allow the shows to relocate from Bryant Park to Damrosch Park beginning in September 2010. Until then, the event will take place at Bryant Park, including the Fall 2009 collections which begin February 13. The City, through the Office of First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris, worked with IMG Fashion and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to identify a new location as it became clear the shows would soon outgrow the facilities at Bryant Park. The Mayor made the announcement at a conference about the future of New York City hosted by Crain’s New York Business and the Partnership for New York City, and he was joined by Council of Fashion Designers of America President Diane von Furstenberg, IMG Fashion Senior Vice President Fern Mallis, Lincoln Center President Reynold Levy, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin.

“The fashion industry is a vital part of our City’s economy, providing more than 175,000 jobs and generating billions of dollars in wages for New Yorkers annually,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Ensuring the industry’s long-term success and promoting Fashion Week – the industry’s greatest showcase – is more important than ever as we work to retain and create jobs during these difficult times and diversify the City’s economy. We were determined to work with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and IMG Fashion to identify a location for Fashion Week that would allow it to grow and thrive in New York City, and we could not have arrived at more ideal location than Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center.”

The new venue at Damrosch Park, which is managed by Lincoln Center, will provide about 87,000 square feet of space for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week shows, compared to the roughly 70,000 square feet available at Bryant Park – a 25 percent increase. The agreement between IMG Fashion and Lincoln Center is for five years. In addition to providing more space in Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center provides ample opportunity for its iconic indoor locations to be used for special events during the shows.

The collections, which began being shown in New York City’s Bryant Park in 1993 with about 35 shows, have grown dramatically to about 70 shows per season, showcasing the leading American and international designers. Last year, the two annual events drew 232,000 attendees, generated $466 million in direct visitor spending, and resulted in an overall economic impact on New York City of $773 million. New York City’s fashion industry provides 175,000 jobs, $1.6 billion in annual tax revenue and $10 billion in total wages. More than 800 fashion companies are headquartered in New York City, more than double the number headquartered in Paris, its next closest competitor.

“The CFDA is so pleased that the fashion show tents are moving to Lincoln Center. The shows are the main showcase for American fashion and to be part of this cultural center is exciting,” said CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg. “The proximity and visibility of Lincoln Center ensures the industry remains at the forefront of worldwide fashion. Without the centralized location and additional venues provided by Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center it would be impossible to accommodate the almost 250 designers who show in New York City.”

“As our society is embracing the concept of change, the time has come for us too to change,” said IMG Fashion Senior Vice President Fern Mallis. “With our new home at Lincoln Center, we can re-invent, invigorate and reinforce fashion’s rightful place alongside the many creative disciplines, from music and dance, to opera and film, which also call world renowned Lincoln Center home.”

“We are extremely grateful to the Mayor, not only for his leadership in facilitating Fashion Week’s move to Lincoln Center, but also for his strong commitment to Lincoln Center and the arts,” said Lincoln Center President Reynold Levy. “Fashion Week will be an outstanding addition to our newly transformed campus making Lincoln Center more welcoming, more accessible and transparent. All of us are delighted that the fashion industry will be a part of Lincoln Center’s annual calendar. We warmly welcome its leadership, and we pledge to deliver the highest standard of customer service to all its members.”

The move will coincide with enhancements to Damrosch Park in conjunction with the reconstruction underway at Lincoln Center which is being transformed with revitalized performance, educational and public spaces designed by world class architects. The dramatic entrance at Josie Robertson Plaza will provide easy access to events at the performing arts organizations of Lincoln Center. It will have one of the largest underground parking garages in New York City and feature convenient drop off locations. With more green spaces, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week’s almost 10,000 daily guests will be able to linger and enjoy any number of dining facilities at various price points. The move will also mean that Bryant Park, one of the few green spaces in midtown, can better meet the increasing demand for public programming.

“We’re excited to host Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at its new home in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “Fashion Week at Damrosch Park is sure to continue New York City’s status as the epicenter of the fashion world. Not only is Damrosch Park a larger site, the park’s hard-surface plaza is better suited for tented events, thus freeing up the lawn at Bryant Park for more passive recreational use.”

“This agreement is wonderful news for the City, the fashion industry and Lincoln Center,” said NYCEDC President Seth W. Pinsky. “It clearly underscores this Administration’s commitment to this vital component of our economy and reinforces New York City’s place as the Fashion Capital of the World. I am pleased that EDC had a role in negotiating this important agreement, which will provide the shows with a new and glamorous home in the City for the foreseeable future.”

The Baby Phat 2005 Fall Fashion Show by designer Kimora Lee Simmons had a huge celebrity turn out for the popular line. The collection was made up of the most innovative designs and the after-party was among the best during New York Fashion Week that season. Revealing her most most innovative collection up to that date, Kimora took the 2005 Fall Collection to a new level.

The sleekest and sexiest designs covered each of the runway models as they strutted down the catwalk to some of the hottest hip hop tracks as the shows’ music/fashion fusion was seamless. From swimwear to hats all the way down to latest body fitting under garments, nothing was left out. All designs were made for woman to feel and look like the most styled for an everyday and every night occasion. The jackets that were showcased were the highlight of this show. Jackets and furs completed each design and gave a new look for 2005.

Checkout the Baby Phat 2005 Fall Collection Fashion Show Photos here.

Celebrities and notables in attendance were JoJo, Paula Abdul, JoJo, JC Chasez, Carson Daily, Rah Digga, Amerie, Ray J, Cam’ron, Cynthia Garrett, Gina Hiraizumi, Irv Gotti, Swiss Beats, Shannon Daugherty, Mos Def, Lil Kim, Ashley Olsen, Tommy Hilfiger, Missy Elliot, Tori Spelling and Eva Pigford. It was a party as soon as they hit the red carpet.

Kimora Lee Simmons made her Baby Phat 2005 Fall Collection Fashion Show one of the hottest shows at New York Fashion Week for the 2005 Fall season. Expect nothing but the best from Kimora.