The Olsen twins were spotted visiting a gallery in New York City on Wednesday, June 1. Joined by a friend, Mary Kate and Ashley headed to Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood to check out the displays at a Matt Groening exhibition. Meanwhile, the former “Full House” gals recently announced that they will not be using their own faces to promote their fashion line, The Row, to avoid it being branded as a celebrity fashion line.

Mary-Kate went into further detail with their decision , “We were aware of [the growing trend of] celebrity brands. We were trying to get away from that because we’d already done it with Wal-Mart, and we did it well. We’d been there, we’d done that.” I like how they are taking the initiative to spear head their fashion line. I think ‘The Row’ is fairly promising at this point and holds a lot of potential and could really big on of the next big names in fashion.

IMG announced today plans for its first season of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park at a fashion industry briefing supported by The City of New York, Lincoln Center and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The move to Lincoln Center has allowed IMG Fashion to unveil event upgrades such as modernized production capabilities for designers, digital services concurrent with the advanced needs of the 21st Century, better accessibility for attendees through both public and private transportation and great resources/facilities on-site and in the surrounding areas.

The move to Lincoln Center comes after extensive work between City Hall, Lincoln Center, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), IMG and the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

“This is a very exciting day for us,” said Peter Levy, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of IMG Fashion Worldwide.  “The move has allowed IMG to reinvent and improve so many aspects of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week as well as develop a stronger link to the surrounding facitilies and spaces available at Lincoln Center and the neighborhood.  This is the first season in what we are confident will be a long ‘run’ at Lincoln Center.”

Said Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Director of Fashion, Lincoln Center, “We are delighted to provide Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with a new home and an extraordinary array of possibilities.   Over the past few years, Lincoln Center has undergone a transformation, resulting in a campus that is aesthetically spectacular as well as extremely accessible.  We look forward to providing the fashion industry with one central location for activities in and around the tents. In addition, we plan to welcome consumers with a dynamic array of opportunities to engage with the art of fashion.”

“The move to Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center is the culmination of a working partnership between the Mayor’s Office, NYCEDC, IMG, Lincoln Center, and the Department of Parks and Recreation,” said Patrick M. Murphy, Director of the Fashion/Retail Team at the Center for Economic Transformation at NYCEDC. “The enhancements to the tents, the ability to stage additional presentations, along with access to major transportation routes, and the connection with the Lincoln Center brand will be a terrific boost for the fashion industry, and will have a positive economic impact for the event and the City.”

“The industry support and innovation being utilized to transform Lincoln Center into the new home of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is a testament to New York City’s premier status among the greatest fashion capitals of the world,” said Stephen Cannon, Vice President of Marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA.  “Our commitment to the event’s success will continue as we officially announce today that Mercedes-Benz is renewing a three year agreement with IMG to remain title sponsor.”

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center, which will be held from September 9 to 16, will implement a number of technical enhancements to adjust with the changing needs of the fashion community. These upgrades include; a gracious lobby to better accommodate designer guests, press and industry professionals; modified runway theaters and modular designer spaces that support advanced production capabilities; expanded lighting and digital design resources; new décor and increased venue/runway sizes and seating enhancements. The event will continue to host three runway venues, and has added a fourth presentation space for designer presentations, industry forums, press conferences and other activities. The venue cost to each designer will remain the same as in previous seasons of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

IMG Fashion will extend ‘the Tents’ original mantra to ‘organize, centralize and modernize’ into the digital realm, launching a new  Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center website and suite of digital services that provide expanded capabilities for designers, press and attendees.  These improvements include a new designer centric website and updated registration and credentialing system synchronized with designer seating. The digitization of the event will further streamline the communication between the different constituencies, providing up to the minute resources for press registration, press contact details for designers, online RSVP and show check-in capabilities.

Lincoln Center allows a unique opportunity in the evolution of the event, offering expanded resources and facilities around campus for the use of designer, press, industry and consumer activities. Inside the Tents, the site will feature increase lounge style seating in the event lobby and an outdoor garden for events and presentations as well as a number of restaurants, cafes and sitting areas around the Lincoln Center campus. Lincoln Center also provides attendees with convenient transportation and access to the event via the MTA’s subway systems, busses, the West Side Highway and light traffic flow on 9th Avenue (Columbus) and 10th Avenue (Amsterdam) making the hectic week of shows as effortless as possible for all attendees.

The City, working with IMG Fashion and Lincoln Center, has embarked on a coordinated effort to ensure Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week takes place in an efficient and organized manner. Led by the Citywide Event Coordination and Management Office, City agencies – including the Transportation, Police, Fire, Buildings, Parks and Recreation and Sanitation Departments together with the Mayor’s Community Assistance Unit, and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)  – are coordinating issues related to pedestrian access, ancillary parking, community resources, traffic flow, and opportunities for local businesses.

Each year, the 232,000 attendees at Fashion Weeks generate new economic activity for New York City businesses, accounting for more than $466 million in direct visitor spending and contributing to $1.6 billion in annual tax revenue to the City’s fashion industry. For the businesses surrounding Lincoln Center specifically – the restaurants, hotels, and retailers – as well as the thousands of caterers, security, and service workers staffing the shows, relocating Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will result in economic benefits. More than $40 million annually is spent on meals at local restaurants; nearly $30 million on taxis, Town Cars, and public transportation; and an additional $56 million at area hotels.

On Friday, November 13th from 10 am-5 pm, Bergdorf Goodman in New York welcomes Carlos Falchi, famed handbag and accessories designer. Mr. Falchi will be signing handbags for all who attend.

Carlos Falchi is notorious for his unique exotic skin and fine leather handbags and accessories. For over thirty years he has led the industry in innovative design and unparalleled product quality; in 1980 Women’s Wear Daily declared his Buffalo Satchel, “the most copied bag in the industry.”  Mr. Falchi focuses his attention on the lining and compartments to make each handbag beautiful as well as functional, from the inside out.

Today, Mr. Falchi’s world is ever expanding, launching successful lines for Target and the Home Shopping Network, designing runway accessories for designers such as Donna Karan, and Vera Wang and catering to his loyal celebrity clientele including Brooke Shields, Sarah Jessica Parker, Madonna, Sienna Miller and many more.  Falchi has also designed handbags for the entertainment industry, seen in Ugly Betty, The Devil Wears Prada, and Sex & the City.  In addition to his business successes, Mr. Falchi has also received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Accessories Council of America in 2004 and 2006, CFDA Award Nominations in both 2002 and 2003 and permanent collection items on display at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The speciality retailer, Bergdorf Goodman is located at the corner of 58th street and 5th Avenue, and is part of the Neiman Marcus Group.

Meet Navoh, a novel brand of handbags designed in New York for the independent spirit. From the streets of SoHo to the rues de Rive Gauche, Navoh channels across-the-world trends into sleek and affordable conversation pieces. This versatile collection of bags keeps New York City women, and the fabulous places they go in mind with oversized carryalls.
Navoh’s debut collection, launching in Fall 2009, boasts 16 styles, which include shoulder, messenger, satchel, tote and clutch in a variety of color ways.  Colors range from winter whites and ivories, to grays and blacks, to fall brights of apple and eco greens, burnt orange, mustard yellow and fuchsia. All at under $100, fashionistas will scramble for a deal like this. Navoh mixes the best material from all over the globe into a “value price point” because despite the economic reality, “people need retail therapy.”

Navoh is dedicated to the consumer’s happiness. Inside each bag lies a different surprise: smile-inducing, wildly printed lining. Convenience is essential, as each piece is adjustable in one way or another. The versatility that comes with Navoh is refreshing; hidden pockets, sneaky closures, and adjustable/removable shoulder straps make these purses with a purpose.

The young eco-conscious customer can feel good carrying Navoh. The company’s dedication to sustainability shows in its use of high-grade, animal-friendly synthetic leather, and also in the high ethical standards of production. These bags are made with love, and it shows.

Navoh is giving press and consumers a lot to look forward to. In a reverent nod to starving artists and going-broke fashionistas, “Dust” bags will feature a different artist’s work each season at guilt-free prices. Starting in September, artists can submit their work on Navoh’s website for a chance to collaborate with the design team and have their work exclusively featured for that season’s “Dust” bag. Navoh’s agenda is to get NYC’s under-represented, hyper-talented artists noticed in a way that benefits all parties involved.

To find out more about Navoh please visit the website at www.navoh.com

The moment at which a tattoo is conceived is the moment at which time starts to stretch and fade it. Luckily, for those who live with the lackluster aftermath of the recent tattoo craze, laser tattoo removal offers a refreshing dip in the fountain of youth. And with the tough job market that already has its foot in the youth-obsessed door, professionals are connecting the needle marks and requesting this service when they realize that their tattoos could work against them in the age department. Laser hair removal is no longer just about modernizing a look; it is about competing for jobs and building job security.

The great news is that the permanence of a tattoo can fade even faster than its popularity. Sabina Kozak of Sensitive Touch Medical Spa in New York City says, “We use state-of-the-art technology by Cynosure, a leading laser technology manufacturer. Our clients are thrilled with the immediate results of laser tattoo removal and some get pretty emotional when they see that how easy it is to get rid of them. As job competition shows no sign of slowing down, our clients realize that, if they are fortunate enough to land an interview or get a new job, they definitely need to look the part.”
As the traditional nine-to-five work day becomes a thing of the past, keeping tattoos hidden under suits is no longer adequate. Employers do not want their Sales Director to show up at the charity golf tourney with a Celtic cross sneaking down from the pant leg of her capris or a ring of barbed wire asserting itself from the sleeve of his polo shirt. A representative from Sabina says, “Events held outside of the office pose difficulties for those who are overly confident that they can keep their tattoos hidden. People are attending more events with their bosses and co-workers – from scheduled business trips to impromptu barbecues and summer get-togethers. Our clients recognize these events as opportunities for building business relationships and maintaining a competitive edge.”

To make matters worse, no one could have predicted that one day’s tattoo du jour would be next year’s tramp stamp. A representative from Sabina says, “Times change and laser tattoo removal lets clients stay current. We do not think they should have to lose out on a job or promotion because they are sending mixed signals about their professionalism. Plus, a lot of people are just tired of hiding their tattoos.”

For best results, clients should expect two to four treatments scheduled four to eight weeks apart.

Sabina says, “The cooler weather offers more opportunities to cover up and is a really great time to start treatments. New clients can achieve full results in time to show some skin on New Year’s Eve, not to mention months to spare before bikini season.”

While freedom of expression is a beautiful thing, professionals are realizing that all methods of standing out are not equal. With laser tattoo removal, they can exercise their First Amendment rights at the water cooler, not at the tattoo parlor.  – Erin Bartolo, Writer

Sara Blakely, founder of the universally recognized shapewear SPANX, will make a personal appearance to launch Haute Contour by SPANX, a sumptuous collection of lingerie-inspired looks designed to shape and enhance one’s body.  Additional attendees to be released prior to the event as applicable

SPANX, Inc.® proudly introduces the first ever Sexy, Sumptuous, Shapewear with a new brand, Haute Contour! For years, the First Lady of Shapewear, Sara Blakely and SPANX Inc, have created shaping solutions to help women look and feel great in their fashions – now they are bringing fashion to shapewear with beautiful pieces designed to slim the derrières and torsos of fashionistas everywhere. Haute Contour by Spanx is truly the dessert of shapewear – now you can have your shape and sexy too!

Sara Blakely, founder of SPANX, Inc. said, “Women and men would always ask me if I could create sexy shapewear, and now I have with Haute Contour.  Each piece of this lingerie-inspired collection is shaping, sumptuous, and ready to be seen in!”

The event will be held at Saks Fifth Avenue, New York 611 5th Avenue New York City, Intimates on Ten (10th Floor) and take place on Thursday, March 26, 2009 Press Call Time: 4PM, 4:15PM: Press Line with Sara Blakely (additional guests as applicable) Cocktails/Event: 5PM – 7PM

About Sara Blakely: Nine years ago, Sara Blakely began her mission to make the world a better place, one butt at a time. A frustrated (yet fashionable) consumer-turned-entrepreneur, Sara invented SPANX Footless Pantyhose and single-rearendedly revolutionized the hosiery industry. Obsessed with creating comfortable, slimming garments that minimize figure flaws, Sara reinvented shape-wear with innovative designs and smart features and won the hearts of fashion-loving women, from Oprah Winfrey to Gwyneth Paltrow.

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.