The CFDA is proud to feature a newly updated logo by Pentagram.  Refining the logo he originated, Michael Beirut has modernized the iconic image while maintaining the brand identity. In addition to spatial tweaks, the new logo now will include editions for affiliate and member use and perhaps most importantly, all versions will now spell out “Council of Fashion Designers of America.”  The CFDA is thrilled with these additions and is confident that they will increase both the usability and general recognition of the emblem.

City-sponsored Incubator Developed to Establish and Grow Fashion and Accessories Businesses in New York City

New York City, May 19, 2010 – New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President Seth W. Pinsky and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) President Diane von Furstenberg today commemorated the opening of the CFDA Fashion Incubator – located at 209 West 38^th Street in New York City’s Garment District – with a walk-through of the space, where they were joined by the first 12 tenants. The Incubator was announced in November 2009 by Mayor Bloomberg as part of the City’s efforts to foster the development of entrepreneurs across all industry sectors, and to encourage small businesses to locate and grow in New York City. The City has five incubators, cutting across industry sectors, currently open or in development throughout the Five Boroughs, with at least two additional spaces expected to open by the end of 2010.

The inaugural participating designers are: Alice Ritter; Bibhu Mohapatra; Rachel Dooley of Gemma Redux; Grant Krajecki of Grey Ant; Waris Ahluwalia from House of Waris; Joel Diaz from Jolibe; Prabal Gurung; Dao-Yi Chow & Maxwell Osborne of Public School; Yuvi Alpert & Danna Kobo from Ruby Kobo; Sang A Im-Prop of Sang A; Justin Giunta from Subversive Jewelry; and Tom Scott.

“This diverse group of designers is a reflection of the depth of fashion talent New York City is known for,” said NYCEDC President Seth W. Pinsky. “Supporting the development of start-up fashion design businesses, as with any start-up, requires providing access to affordable workspaces, networking opportunities, and financial support that will help them grow. It is because of designers like these, as well as the retailers, wholesalers, and numerous fashion-related  businesses that choose to locate here, that New York City is, and will remain, the world’s fashion capital.”

“The { CFDA FASHION INCUBATOR } is a natural extension of what our organization already does to support emerging design talent,” said CFDA Associate Executive Director, Lisa Smilor. “We are thrilled to welcome this illustrious group of designers into the program, and are most appreciative for the support and involvement of our esteemed industry colleagues.”

“We are proud to be a part of this project and see it as a long-term endeavor. The { CFDA FASHION INCUBATOR } is a cutting-edge way for city government, fashion and real-estate communities to work together. In collaboration, we are addressing both the current needs of designers, as well as planting seeds for the future of the industry,” stated Eric Gural, Executive Managing Director, Newmark Knight Frank.

The CFDA Fashion Incubator accommodates up to 12 designer brands, each of which will retain a separate design studio, ranging from 250 to 700 square feet in size. Newmark Holdings is providing each brand with a two-year lease at below-market rates ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 per month, depending on the size of the studio space. NYCEDC is providing the CFDA with a $200,000 grant to establish and further develop the CFDA Fashion Incubator.

To be eligible for consideration, designers had to be in business for a minimum of one and one-half years and have paid and/or volunteer professional staff . Designers were also asked to demonstrate their potential through substantive editorial coverage and orders from top retailers.. Tenants were chosen by members of a Selection Committee and an Advisory Board comprised of fashion industry experts, including retailers, editors, and business leaders. The Selection Committee assisted in the initial development of the initiative; evaluated and assisted in selecting CFDA Fashion Incubator designers; and will participate in bi-annual reviews of tenants. The Advisory Board evaluated applications, based on designers’ business model and plans; assisted in selecting CFDA Fashion Incubator tenants; and will participate in quarterly reviews of tenants.  Advisory Board members will take on strategic planning, sponsorship, funding, and other responsibilities, as needed.

Selection Committee members include: Designer John Bartlett; Kirna Zabete’s Beth Buccini and Sarah Easley; Bloomingdale’s Operating Vice President and Men’s Fashion Director Kevin Harter; CFDA Executive Director Steven Kolb; Elle Style Director Kate Lanphear; Harper’s Bazaar Executive Editor Kristina O’Neill; Neiman Marcus Senior Fashion Accessories Editor Roopal Patel; Style.com Executive Editor Nicole Phelps; CFDA Associate Executive Director Lisa Smilor; and designer Peter Som.

Members of the Advisory Board include: Marc Beckman, Designers Management Agency; Joseph Ferrara, Ferrara Manufacturing; Eric Gural, Newmark Knight Frank; Douglas Hand, Hand, Baldachin & Amburgey, LLP ; Karen Harvey, Karen Harvey Consulting Group ; Steven Kolb, CFDA; Trey Laird, Laird+Partners; Seo Hyun Lee, Chiel Industries ; Barbara Randall, Fashion Center Business Improvement District ; Lisa Smilor, CFDA; Steven Strauss, Center for Economic Transformation at NYCEDC; Gary Wassner, Hilldun Corporation ; amd Denise Williamson, Denise Williamson Showroom.

The Incubator is designed to support the next generation of fashion designers in New York City. It is one of a series of City-sponsored business incubators launched since February 2009, when Mayor Bloomberg announced a suite of initiatives to support entrepreneurship and encourage start-up companies to locate and grow in New York City.  The CFDA Fashion Incubator will provide a creative professional environment to foster promising talent in the field of fashion; help emerging fashion designers grow and sustain their businesses in New York City by offering low-cost design studio space; and provide business mentoring, educational seminars, and networking opportunities to selected designers so that they may reach their full potential and become an integral part of the New York fashion community.

Contact:

David Lombino/Libby Langsdorf  212 312-3523
Souri Kim (KCD for CFDA)  212 590-5113

About NYCEDC
New York City Economic Development Corporation is the City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC’s mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City’s competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City’s many opportunities. Find us on Facebook to learn more about NYCEDC projects and initiatives.

About the CFDA
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc, (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association that leads industry-wide initiatives and whose membership consists of more than 350 of America’s foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry, and accessory designers. In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, which recognize the top creative talent in the industry, the organization offers programs which support professional development and scholarships, including the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the Geoffrey Beene Design Scholar Award, the Liz Claiborne Scholarship Award, and the CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarship. Member support is provided through the Business Services Network, a high-profile group of companies offering designers strategic opportunities. The CFDA Foundation, Inc. is a separate, not-for-profit organized to mobilize the membership to raise funds for charitable causes. Through the Foundation, the CFDA created and manages Fashion Targets Breast Cancer; raises funds for HIV/AIDS organizations with 7th on Sale; addresses the issue of model health with The CFDA Health Initiative; and is a key participant in other programs such as the annual Fashion’s Night Out. For more information, please visit www.CFDA.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY (April 29, 2010) – 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.

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Contact:

Ian Wagasky, IMG Fashion, (646) 871-2453, ian.wagasky@imgworld.com
Karen Peterson, CFDA, (212) 768-5708, k.peterson@CFDA.com
Betsy Vorce, Lincoln Center, (212) 875-5100, bvorce@lincolncenter.org
Andrew Brent, City of New York, (212) 788-2958, abrent@cityhall.nyc.gov

Key Support Provided by Council of Fashion Designers of America

New York (April 23, 2010)— Fashion is among the largest contributors to the global economy and the second largest industry in New York City. Designers and fashion houses have always consulted lawyers about their trade; however, there has been no organized field of fashion law. Until now.

Fordham Law School announces the fall 2010 launch of the Fashion Law Institute, the world’s first fashion law center. Directed by Professor Susan Scafidi, the Fashion Law Institute will provide legal services for design students and designers, train the fashion lawyers and designers of the future, and offer information and assistance on issues facing the fashion industry. The Institute was created with the generous support and advice of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and its President Diane von Furstenberg.

“Fordham’s Fashion Law Institute will provide our students with a remarkable and unique opportunity to become the next leaders in this important, emerging field of law,” said Dean William Michael Treanor. “Professor Susan Scafidi is the nation’s leading expert in this exciting legal field, and we here at the Law School are very proud to have her establish this institute alongside our many other groundbreaking centers.”

CFDA Executive Director Steven Kolb views the Fashion Law Institute as a forum to address current challenges facing the fashion industry. “This timely initiative speaks to a need for new business strategies, including legal responses,” says Kolb. “We look forward to working with the Fashion Law Institute on a network of programs that will benefit both aspiring fashion lawyers and creative designers.”

Von Furstenberg adds, “I am impressed by the vision for this program and how it will bring new resources and assistance to American designers and our industry.”

In addition to the CFDA, the Fashion Law Institute will be supported by an advisory board including distinguished members of the fashion industry and the bar.

Professor Scafidi created the first U.S. law school course in the area of fashion law and is internationally recognized for her role in establishing the field. “Legal and social rules govern every industry and every aspect of human behavior,” observes Scafidi. “If humans are animals who accessorize, not to mention design highly original clothing and accessories, it’s only natural that we should develop a field of fashion law.”

Learn more: http://law.fordham.edu/fashionlaw or fashion@law.fordham.edu

Contacts:

Fashion Law Institute: Professor Susan Scafidi, Fordham Law School
212-673-8507, susan.scafidi@gmail.com

Fashion Publications: Souri Kim, KCD
212-590-5113, kim@kcdworldwide.com

Legal Publications: Melissa Mandel, Rubenstein Associates
212-843-8060, mmandel@rubenstein.com

VOGUE TO PRODUCE IN CONJUNCTION WITH SPEC ENTERTAINMENT

New York, NY, April 22, 2010—Fashion’s Night Out will stage the largest public fashion show in New York City history on September 7, 2010 at Lincoln Center, the initiative announced today. The show, produced by Vogue and SPEC Entertainment, will boast over 200 of the industry’s top models and give nearly 1,500 guests a look at the key trends of the Fall 2010 season as identified by the magazine. Tickets for the fashion show will be made available through the Lincoln Center box office this summer with a portion of the proceeds benefitting The New York City AIDS Fund.

“We felt it is important for people to see what wonderful fashion will be in stores at that moment,” said Vogue editor in chief, Anna Wintour. “This show will focus on the key trends we’ve identified for Fall so that shoppers will have plenty of inspiration to join the fun during Fashion’s Night Out.”

“Making fashion and design accessible and exciting for everyone was one of our biggest goals when we first set out to launch Fashion’s Night Out,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. “This fashion show is yet another great opportunity to showcase the industry’s exceptional talent to a broader audience of New Yorkers and visitors.”

“The CFDA is proud to be a part of this historic show celebrating Fashion’s Night Out,” said CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg. “We feel this is an unprecedented opportunity for the fashion industry to connect with the consumer in a fun and meaningful way.”

About Fashion’s Night Out
Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) is an unprecedented global initiative created to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, and boost the industry’s economy. In the United States, the program is a collaboration between American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company, and the City of New York. On September 10, 2010, Fashion’s Night Out will return to New York City to put the fun back in shopping, with designer appearances, live windows, celebrity guests, and other special events. Fashion’s Night Out will be the subject of a one-hour special on CBS on September 15, 2010. For more information visit www.fashionsnightout.com, powered by QVC, or join us on Facebook and Twitter (www.twitter.com/fnonyc).

Special thanks to QVC for its generosity and support.

CONTACT:
Susan Portnoy
212 286 6047
susan_portnoy@condenast.com

Stefanie Adlerstein-McNamara
212 286 4507
Stefanie_adlerstein@condenast.com

“Fashion For Haiti” Campaign Raised Funds For Victims Of Earthquake

April 14, 2010 (New York) — The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) donated $1 million to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund last night at the Pierre Hotel in New York City. The check, presented to President Bill Clinton by CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg, Andrew Rosen, CEO of Theory / Helmut Lang, and designer Tory Burch, represents the proceeds from the “Fashion for Haiti” T-shirt initiative which raised monies for the victims of the January 12 earthquake.

The initiative was widely supported by the American fashion industry, including the entire CFDA membership, and carried the endorsement of fashion leaders Burch, Rosen, von Furstenberg, and Ralph Lauren, along with Kevin Carrigan, Kenneth Cole, Francisco Costa, Oscar de la Renta, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan, Vera Wang, Anna Wintour, Italo Zucchelli, among many, many others. Supporting retailers numbered in the hundreds and included Barneys New York, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Gilt.com, J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, QVC, Saks Fifth Avenue, among others.

The $25 short sleeve T-shirt was manufactured by Theory and went on sale on February 16, 2010 at retailers across the country and online. The “Fashion for Haiti” T-shirt logo was designed by Peter Arnell.

About the CFDA
The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc, (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association that leads industry-wide initiatives and whose membership consists of more than 350 of America’s foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry, and accessory designers. In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, which recognize the top creative talent in the industry, the organization offers programs which support professional development and scholarships, including the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, the Geoffrey Beene Design Scholar Award, the Liz Claiborne Scholarship Award, and the CFDA/Teen Vogue Scholarship. Member support is provided through the Business Services Network, a high-profile group of companies offering designers strategic opportunities. The CFDA Foundation, Inc. is a separate, not-for-profit organized to mobilize the membership to raise funds for charitable causes. Through the Foundation, the CFDA created and manages Fashion Targets Breast Cancer; raises funds for HIV/AIDS organizations with 7th on Sale; addresses the issue of model health with The CFDA Health Initiative; and is a key participant in other programs such as the annual Fashion’s Night Out. For more information, please visit www.CFDA.com.

About the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund
The earthquake that rocked the coast of Haiti killed or injured a devastating number of people. Even more were left in need of aid, making this one of the major humanitarian emergencies in the history of the Americas. In the aftermath of the disaster, President Barack Obama asked President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush to raise funds for immediate, high-impact relief and long-term recovery efforts to help those who are most in need of assistance. In response, the two Presidents established the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund (CBHF) to respond to near–term unmet needs, while focusing largely on longer–term reconstruction, especially promoting job creation and economic opportunity, with the goal of helping the people of Haiti rebuild their lives and livelihoods so that they can “build back better.” The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund will do this by working with and supporting the efforts of effective and innovative partners, including nongovernmental and nonprofit organizations. Presidents Clinton and Bush oversee the CBHF through their respective nonprofit organizations, the William J. Clinton Foundation and Communities Foundation of Texas. For more information, visit www.clintonbushhaitifund.org.

Press contact:
Souri Kim
CFDA/KCD
Kim@kcdworldwide.com 212.590.5113

Won last year by Ralph Lauren, The Popular Vote sponsored by L’Oréal Paris will be presented at The CFDA Fashion Awards for the second year in a row on June 7.  Vote once a day using the link below until May 28.

http://www.wwd.com/popular-vote

Speaking on a panel at the Harvard Business School, Anna Wintour, Michael Kors and Natalia Vodianova discussed the CFDA Health Initiative and its efforts to promote the well-being of models working in the industry.  Health Matters: Weight in Wellness in the Word of Fashion which was organized by The Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital, gave each panelist the opportunity to share their insights and thoughts from inside the fashion industry with a crowd of 1,000.

Kors publicaly declared that he would honor the CFDA Health Initiative guideline of not working with models under the age of 16 in runway presentations and Wintour recounted April’s Vogue story of model Kim Noorda’s moving account of her struggle with food issues and how, through treatment and support from CFDA, she has gained the confidence to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Vodianova bravely shared her own struggles with eating disorders and praised the CFDA for its efforts to create stronger self-esteem among models.

The event was moderated by Dr. David Herzog, the Director of The Harris Center and attended by model Doutzen Kroes, casting agent James Scully, CFDA Executive Director Steven Kolb and Vogue staff including Health Editor Abigail Walch and Bookings Editor Valerie Bolster.

Please click here for more information about the program.

Michael Kors finally gets his trio. “This is my third Supreme,” Kors said of his CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, his third CFDA Award overall. “I have the two back up singers and this is my Diana Ross.” He added that the award is a great one to kick off his 30^th year in business. “I never thought that I’d ever do anything other than maybe have a show in New York. This is great because I’ve always been a flag waver for American design. For me, it’s exciting to see the impact of American style and taste around the world.”

Kors joined many of the other nominees, the CFDA’s Diane von Furstenberg and Steven Kolb, Swarovski’s Nadja Swarovski and fashion’s best and brightest at von Furstenberg’s studio in the Meatpacking District Wednesday evening to celebrate the nominees for the CFDA Awards. One nominee for the Swarovski Award for Womenswear almost didn’t make it.  “I was late because of the St. Patrick’s Day parade. I was on 55^th Street,” said Jason Wu, “and traffic was insane. I was walking up the stairs when my name was called. It was serendipity,” he added. Fellow nominee Prabal Gurung was similarly taken aback. “When I came here, I didn’t know what to expect,” he said, “and then I saw all my friends, so I figured we were all invited.” And then his name was called, “I’m literally kind of speechless. In my head I’m trying to form a sentence that sums it all up.” Swarovski Award for Menswear nominee Simon Spurr was quickly in and out, as he was on his way to the airport for a flight to Italy. “I’m overwhelmed and jubilant and proud to be there especially when I think of the competition,” he said. “I think of myself as a humble guy, so I’m just pleased to be here.”

“To me, this year truly marks the emergence of a new chapter,” said Swarovski, whose company sponsors the emerging talent awards, and the Awards show overall. “Last year’s designers are already moving up to the big awards,” she added, citing that von Furstenberg should take much of the credit. “Diane is the Godmother of the industry. She really brings camaraderie to the fashion industry. She’s bringing us together like a family.” The 2010 CFDA Fashion Awards winners will be announced on June 7 at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. The public can get involved by voting for its favorite designer in the Popular Vote Award sponsored by L’Oréal Paris starting in April.

For a complete list of nominees and honorees, visit http://www.cfda.com/cfda-announces-2010-cfda-fashion-awards-nominees-honorees/.