AMERICAN EXPRESS TO LAUNCH INNOVATIVE ONLINE FASHION NETWORK BRINGING UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS TO MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK IN NEW YORK BOTH ON THE RUNWAY AND THROUGHOUT THE TENTS
Live Streaming Video of Designer Shows and Back-Stage-Action; Fashion Stylist Robert Verdi to Host and Conduct Insider Interviews
American Express® Card members Get Exclusive Access to the Excitement On-site at Fashion Week
NEW YORK, January 31, 2008 -- American Express announced plans today to launch the "American Express Fashion Network," at www.americanexpress.com/style which will provide exclusive, never-before-seen, live access to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Visitors to the American Express Fashion Network will see one of the most exciting industry-only events unfold before their eyes with multi-dimensional views from the runways and throughout the tents, as well as interviews and insights from designers and other industry insiders before and after the shows. The American Express Fashion Network will be the only place to watch shows live with views from around the tent along with insights from designers and other industry insiders before and after the shows through live in-depth interviews.
The American Express Fashion Network launching on Friday, February 1st, will stream live throughout the duration of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and capture archived video footage for fashion fans to enjoy in the weeks to follow. In addition, American Express will drive further attention to the designers' shows and will promote the Network by syndicating video clips to targeted fashion, lifestyle and news websites. Also launching is Fashion 360 Presented by American Express, the first dedicated fashion channel on YouTube that will have highlights from the American Express Fashion Network including live runway shows and insider-interviews as well as content from fashion partners and publishers that will include daily party and trend fashion reports.
"The launch of the American Express Fashion Network gives designers and industry insiders the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the shows and share their personal views and insights with a broad, highly engaged consumer audience," said Claire Bennett, Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Media for American Express. "We know that fashion represents and instills in people a sense of identity, confidence and empowerment; through the Network, we are bringing people closer than ever to the essence and excitement of the fashion world and creating truly enriching experiences.
Robert Verdi, acclaimed fashion stylist and notable media personality, will be the official host of the Network. Broadcast personality and model Roshumba Williams will join Verdi on-site as a correspondent. The American Express booth in the lobby of the Bryant Park tents will be the broadcast center for the Network. Verdi and Williams will be on-site for the duration of the event interviewing designers, models and other industry experts, creating an exciting multi-faceted experience for those viewing from home.
"I'm thrilled to be the host of the American Express Fashion Network which will add a whole new dimension to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and bring the excitement to fans of fashion everywhere -- like never before," says Robert Verdi. "There is nothing like being under the tents at Bryant Park and this is truly a one-of-a-kind opportunity to get an inside look at Fashion Week through the eyes of the people at the forefront of the industry."
American Express Fashion Network Highlights:
- Daily Fashion Forecast -- An insider look at Fashion Week and the day's line up, including a rundown of the day's schedule and highlights the scene, buzz, what to look for and what people are saying.
- Trend Reports -- Robert Verdi reports on the hottest trends of Fashion Week from the booth or behind the scenes. Celebrity bites, runway show footage, insider interviews, and video montages will help track the trends throughout the week.
- Exclusive Interviews -- Host Robert Verdi and Roshumba Williams will interview celebrities, fashion and accessory designers, stylists, models and buyers providing a full 360º perspective into the shows
- "Digital Runways" -- Streaming footage of all designer shows at the Tents
- Multiple View Points -- Web cameras from corner to corner of the tents provide access to the on-site action
American Express Card members will be experiencing the excitement of Fashion Week, on-site, through a variety of exclusive Card member-only activities taking place throughout the week. Highlights include:*
American Express Skybox: American Express will be unveiling a newly enhanced skybox, overlooking both the Main Tent and the Promenade, providing premium access to Gold Card members, Platinum Card® members and Centurion® Card members to experience the shows in a truly unique way. The skybox, a lounge-style viewing room, is undetectable from the runway, however, inside, Card members will enjoy appetizers, cocktails and an up-close view of the runway shows. American Express has numerous surprises in store that will make the experience extraordinary this year.
"Card Member Only" Fashion Show: American Express will be bringing the excitement and passion of Peter Som's 2008 Collections exclusively to an audience of American Express Card members who will be seated as industry insiders "on the floor." Card members will experience the thrill of a runway show as Peter Som reveals his design inspirations and outlook on fashion and delivers a dynamic show highlighting his 2008 collection. The fashion show will include Spring 2008, available in stores on February 1, and Fall 2008, which will have just premiered two days earlier to the industry. The "Card member Only" Fashion Show will take place on February 6th at 9 p.m. in the Promenade.
By Invitation Only® Experiences: In December, the By Invitation Only Fashion Week packages, available exclusively for Platinum Card and Centurion Card members, were sold out in a matter of days. These packages give Card members full-day access to the Skybox on February 2nd and 3rd, and a true behind-the-scenes experience, including back-stage tours, hair and make-up by stylists on-site and meet-and-greets with fashion industry insiders.
"We are connecting designers, buyers and other industry insiders to consumers who are passionate about fashion," said Claire Bennett, Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Media for American Express. "If we are able to generate great value to the industry through unparalleled and unforgettable experiences for consumers, we have realized our vision."
*All proceeds from the sale of event packages contribute to the $500,000 American Express donation to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.
American Express Supports the Future of Fashion
To demonstrate their commitment to the Fashion industry, American Express is a partner of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), a not-for-profit trade association of over 300 of America's foremost fashion and accessory designers. American Express will donate $500,000 to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund (CVFF), committing to nurture the development of the fashion industry's future designers. The CVFF was established to help emerging American design talent find continued success in the business of fashion.
About American Express
American Express Company is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850. For more information, visit http://www.americanexpress.com.
About IMG Fashion (US)
IMG Fashion, a division of international sports, entertainment and media giant IMG, is the global leader in the management and production of fashion weeks and designer fashion events. Its portfolio of events in the United States includes Mercedes-Benz Fashion Weeks in New York, Los Angeles and Miami.
Internationally, IMG Fashion produces, manages and/or represents Rosemount Australian Fashion Week in Sydney twice a year, Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai, ecoStyle Kuala Lumpur, Fashion Fringe in London, Milan Fashion Week and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin.
IMG Fashion's The Daily Group publishes The Daily Front Row, the bi-monthly Fashion Mini, The Daily Front Row Extra and www.fashionweekdaily.com, all content that is also syndicated to newspapers and magazines across the globe.
The division's network also includes IMG Models, the world's number one modeling agency with offices in New York, London, Paris and Milan and Art + Commerce, the world's leading agency for photographers, art directors, stylists and makeup artists.
For more information on IMG and its business visit www.imgworld.com.
About CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund
The CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund (CVFF) is an endowment that was established to help emerging American design talent find continued success in the business of fashion. In addition to business grants of $200,000 to the winner and $50,000 each to the two runners-up, the award includes mentorship from a panel of industry professionals whose expertise is tailored to the designers' needs and future goals. Since its inception in 2003, the program has granted nearly $1.3 million to twelve different design companies.
