Lancôme Announces Lily Collins as its Latest Brand Ambassadress

Lancôme is thrilled to announce the arrival of young actress Lily Collins as its newest brand ambassadress. As a talented actress with infinite potential, she will be bringing her freshness and captivating allure to Lancôme as of January 2014, starting with the Spring make-up collection, French Ballerine.

Lily Collins

Rising Hollywood star Lily Collins, a delicate yet confident beauty who embodies Lancôme’s effortlessly chic look and joie de vivre, is the granddaughter of a ballerina and the daughter of musician Phil Collins. She made her breakout film debut years ago in critically adored The Blind Side. Now, she transforms seamlessly from wide-eyed ingénue in 2012’s Mirror Mirror (alongside Julia Roberts, another Lancôme face) to vampy demon-slayer in 2014’s The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

“It’s an absolute honor and privilege to have been chosen to represent the Maison Lancôme.  I have always admired the brand’s unique and distinctive appreciation for inner beauty and grace, elegance and utter radiance.  I feel incredibly lucky to be included among the most inspirational women ambassadresses for one of the most prestigious brands in the world.  It’s truly a dream come true,” confided Lily Collins.

“With her charm, gracefulness, modernity and lively wit, Lily Collins is the perfect embodiment of femininity according to Lancôme. We are delighted to begin this collaboration with Lily, who brings a renewed sense of radiance and youthfulness to Lancôme,” stated Françoise Lehmann, General Manager of Lancôme International.

Sony Introduces a New Line of Portable Storage Drives for Professional Use

Sony’s new portable storage solutions are designed for professionals who need high-speed, highly reliable data storage, for back-up and transfer of content in the field. This new line includes a 256GB solid state drive (PSZ-SA25) and two hard disk models with capacities of 500GB and 1TB (PSZ-HA50 and PSZ-HA1T).

Sony PSZ-SA25

“Today’s professionals need high-capacity, reliable media to back-up and transport content,” said Wayne Desmond of Sony’s Media and Application Solutions Division. “With file-based workflows and 4K image capture more common now, files are much larger and more challenging for ‘data wranglers.’ These new shuttle drives give professionals the speed and durability they need, and more important, the peace of mind knowing their content is stored safely in a hard case ready for transport or storage.”

Each drive features one USB 3.0 and two FireWire 800 interfaces, allowing users to transfer video at up to 400MBps with the SSD model and 120MBps with the HDD models via USB 3.0. At these speeds, users can transfer approximately 30GB of video to the SSD drive in less than 90 seconds via USB 3.0. Each has a heavy silicon cover and protective case to withstand the rigors of field production and reduce shipping damage. Built-in shock resistance can absorb falls of up to 7.5 feet for SSD and up to 6.5 feet for HDD. The drives are compliant with MIL-STD-810G standard, the IP5X dust-resistant standard and the IPX4 splash-resistant standard so data can be used in a range of environments and conditions.

Pre-installed formatting software lets users easily switch between FAT32, HFS+ and NTFS formats, and an LED indicator lets users know the status of data transfers. The drives are also stackable for easy daisy-chaining with a design that allows for increased airflow between each to reduce heat build-up.

Top Brazilian Designer A.Z. Araujo partners up with Miss Brasil USA – Miami for the 2013 Miss Brasil USA Pageant

Brazilian Designer AZ Araujo has been tapped to be the official Fashion Designer for the 2013 Miss Brazil USA Pageant, scheduled to be held Friday, October 11 at the Aventura arts and Culture Center in South Miami. Miss Brazil USA’s new President Daniele Quigley, who now serves as the regional leader for the pageant’s Miami, Florida division decided to partner up with Araujo in recognition of his talent and his deep ties–famial and otherwise–to Brazil and its people.

The A.Z Araujo collection combines the sexiness of Brazil with the chic modern presence of the New York consumer; and have been worn by luminaries such as the winners of the Miss Universe Organization from 2009 and 2012, Adrienne Bailon, Aylín Mújica, Wendy Raquel Robison, Natalia Castro (Big Brother Brasil season 11) and many others.

Over the years, the Miss Brasil USA (www.missbrazilusa.com) pageant has became the biggest social event for the Brazilian eastern coast of the United States. In addition to celebrating the beauty of young candidates, this real night gala is a genuine tribute to all Brazilians. The event was created in late 1991 by journalist and producer Carlos Borges; and the first national finals of the competition took place in 1992, held in Brazil Carnival, Orlando, Florida; where it brought together 27 candidates from seven U.S. states. Until 2002, the national final of Miss Brazil USA was held in Florida. In 2004, until the event was relocated to Newark, New Jersey (when the competition having expanded to all regions of the United States and consolidated in 21 states), returning to Florida in 2005.

JetBlue Introduces Mint ™ – the Best Coast-to-Coast Premium Service at an Unbelievably unPremium Price

MINT WILL OFFER THE LONGEST LIE-FLAT BED IN DOMESTIC BUSINESS CLASS (a) AND THE ONLY PRIVATE SUITES ON NEW YORK-LA AND NEW YORK-SAN FRANCISCO ROUTES

JETBLUE REFRESHES COACH PRODUCT TO OFFER EVEN MORE COMFORT, SUPERFAST WI-FI AND UPGRADED ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM ON LARGER SCREENS

CUSTOMERS CAN BOOK MINT FARES FOR AS LOW AS $499 ONE-WAY FROM JFK TO LAX NOW FOR TRAVEL BETWEEN JUNE 15 AND JUNE 18, 2014 (b)

JetBlue Airways (www.jetblue.com) shakes up the transcontinental premium market by introducing Mint, now available for sale. Mint will offer an unparalleled in-flight experience: the longest lie-flat beds in domestic business class (a) and four private suites among the 16 Mint seats. To celebrate JetBlue’s new Mint service, fares are now on sale for $499 (a) one way from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX) for travel between June 15 – the first day Mint flights will be in service –

JetBlue logo. (PRNewsFoto/JetBlue Airways)

and June 18, 2014 – the end of JetBlue’s current schedule (b). JetBlue’s flight #223, departing New York’s JFK Airport to Los Angeles International (LAX) at 9:30am on June 15, 2014, will be JetBlue’s first flight featuring the Mint experience. By fourth quarter 2014, all seven daily flights between JFK and LAX will offer Mint, as well as the enhanced core experience. (See restrictions/requirements below)

The Mint Experience will be introduced on flights between JFK and San Francisco in the fourth quarter of 2014, with all five JFK-SFO flights offering Mint by the end of first quarter 2015. There will be a dedicated sub-fleet of 11 brand new Airbus A321s initially used for the two core transcontinental routes, each featuring 16 lie-flat seats, four of which are private suites, and 143 JetBlue core experience seats. Additional markets are possible, based on customer response and demand for more service.

JetBlue Mint – Front Row. (PRNewsFoto/JetBlue Airways)

There is more good news for summer coast-to-coast travelers. With the rollout of JetBlue’s summer 2014 schedule in November, customers will continue to see industry-shattering prices for Mint, starting at $599 one-way (c).

PhotoPlus Expo 2013 Keynote Presenters are World Class Photographers Who Literally Shoot for the Stars

ASTRONAUT DONALD PETIT, CELEBRITY SHOOTER (AND MUSICIAN) MARK SELIGER, AND INDUSTRY ICON RICK SMOLAN SHARE A WORLD OF KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE WITH PHOTOPLUS EXPO ATTENDEES OCTOBER 24-26, 2013 AT THE JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER IN NEW YORK CITY

For 30 years PhotoPlus Expo (www.photoplusexpo.com) has brought the world’s most renowned and successful photographers, educators, and leaders in imaging to the annual show that has come to be known as the “largest photography classroom in America.”  Designed for professionals in the photographic and imaging industries, The annual PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo showcases the latest advances in photography, digital imaging and video. Held annually at the Javits Convention Center, attendees have the opportunity to explore an inspiring array of photography and imaging products and services – everything from image capture and color management to retouching and storage – all from the industry’s leading manufacturers.  The show also offers photography, video and digital imaging seminars taught by world-renowned experts with a focus on cutting-edge innovations in digital imaging products and techniques.

Over the years, the expos’ daily keynote presentations have taken center stage and have become the cornerstone of this annual photography event.  This year’s lineup of keynote speakers at the 2013 PDN PhotoPlus International Conference + Expo certainly brings new meaning to the phrase, “star power.”  The lunchtime keynote presentations will be held each day during PhotoPlus Expo from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. Attendees are encouraged to register now as keynote seating is limited and each is expected to sell out.]

Photo taken by NASA Astronaut Dr. Donald Pettit, PH.D.

NASA Astronaut Donald Pettit, PH.D., a three-time space explorer, will open the star-studded series of daily keynote presentations with “An Astronaut’s Guide to Photography in Space” on Thursday, October 24.  Dr. Pettit was the first astronaut in the history of space exploration to successfully enter a commercially built and operated spacecraft docked in the International Space Station (ISS) in orbit.  During his time in space, Pettit amassed an extraordinary portfolio of long-exposure outer space photos he calls “star trails,” shot some 240 miles up in space while logging more than 370 days orbiting Earth and over 13 EVA (spacewalking) hours.

President Barack Obama, photo taken by mark Seliger

With more than 100 Rolling Stone covers to his credit, Mark Seliger certainly doesn’t need an introduction.  But most might be surprised to know that Seliger is an accomplished singer, songwriter, and frontman for the popular country band, Rusty Truck.  On Friday, October 25, Seliger’s keynote presentation will combine his obvious visual talent with those as a musician when Rusty Truck performs live as music videos produced by the visual side of Seliger’s creative mind quietly perform in the background.

ULTA Beauty Cut-A-Thon In Support Of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®

TWO THOUSAND SALON STYLISTS CREATE THE LARGEST NATIONAL FUNDRAISER OF ITS KIND TO SUPPORT THE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION®

THE SALON at ULTA Beauty presents the 2013 national Cut-A-Thon on Sunday, October 13 from 11a.m. – 6p.m. in ULTA Beauty stores nationwide. (PRNewsFoto/ULTA Beauty)

Throughout the month of October, ULTA Beauty (http://www.ulta.com) is proud to support The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF) with fundraising initiatives.   As part of its efforts, customers can once again participate in the largest event of its kind — THE SALON at ULTA Beauty’s Cut-A-Thon at the salon in each of ULTA Beauty’s 609 stores across the country and more than 2000 ULTA Salon stylists will participate. Since 2008, ULTA Beauty has been encouraging customers and employees to support research related to the causes, treatment, prevention and cure for breast cancer through exclusive product offerings, the Donate with a Kiss® campaign, and THE SALON at ULTA Beauty Cut-A-Thon. In 2012, ULTA Beauty raised more than 2 million dollars to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

Steven Spielberg and USC Shoah Foundation to Honor Artist & Humanitarian George Clooney with the 2013 Ambassador for Humanity Award

TNT is Presenting Sponsor with Host Jon Stewart, Special Guest Sandra Bullock and a Musical Performance by Norah Jones

Steven Spielberg, Founder of USC Shoah Foundation – The Institute for Visual History and Education will present artist and humanitarian George Clooney, for his tireless work as a global human rights activist, with the Institute’s highest honor, the Ambassador for Humanity Award at the Institute’s annual Ambassadors for Humanity gala on October 3, 2013, in New York City. Jon Stewart is host for the event with special guest Sandra Bullock and a performance by Norah Jones.

USC SHOAH FOUNDATION. (PRNewsFoto/USC Shoah Foundation Institute)

The USC Shoah Foundation – The Institute for Visual History and Education is dedicated to making audiovisual interviews with survivors and witnesses of the Holocaust and other genocides a compelling voice for education and action. Steven Spielberg established the Shoah Foundation after completing the film Schindler’s List to collect and preserve the video testimonies of survivors and other witnesses of the Holocaust. He envisioned that these eyewitness accounts would have a profound effect on education, and that the survivors would become teachers of humanity for generations to come.

USC Shoah Foundation is part of the University of Southern California’s Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. Working within the university and with partners around the world, the Institute advances scholarship and research, provides resources and online tools for educators, and disseminates the testimonies for educational purposes.

Today, the Institute’s Visual History Archive preserves history as told by the people who lived it and lived through it. With its current collection of nearly 52,000 eyewitness testimonies in 33 languages and from 57 countries, it is one of the largest digital collections of its kind in the world.

Neiman Marcus Group to Permanently Offer Free Shipping and Returns for All Purchases

The Neiman Marcus Group announced today that it would begin offering free standard shipping and returns for all domestic purchases made online through www.neimanmarcus.com and www.bergdorfgoodman.com as well as Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman stores. True to the high level of customer service for which the brands are known, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman are continually integrating survey feedback from customers that allow the stores to elevate service levels to the highest degree.

Neiman Marcus free shipping, free returns all the time. (PRNewsFoto/Neiman Marcus Group)

“The customer has always been at the center of the Neiman Marcus business model.  Permanent free shipping and returns have been a top request and we are happy to be able to make this change just in time for the holiday shopping season.” said Wanda Gierhart, Chief Marketing Officer, Neiman Marcus Group.

Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman have made numerous enhancements in the past year to make shopping easier for all customers.   Internationally, customers in over 100 countries can now easily order from www.neimanmarcus.com in the currency of their choice with shipping costs and applicable duties and taxes calculated for them.  All international orders over $100US will ship free of charge.

Every Neiman Marcus associate has a smart phone loaded with apps to help them stay in touch with customers about alterations, merchandise delivery and new items of interest.  In addition, iPads are being used in selected departments in all stores to give customers access to online inventory as well as what is currently available in store.

Online, customers can keep beauty basics and other essentials on hand with the Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman replenishment service. Items will be automatically shipped to customers at the interval she selects. While shopping online, a customer can use the convenient “Find In Store” button that locates an item in a store within a certain specified radius.

The Bergdorf Goodman website recently underwent a full redesign to reflect the editorial feel of their quarterly magazines and further facilitate the customer’s luxury shopping experience.

Keep up with the latest news and events happening at Neiman Marcus by becoming a fan on Facebook, following us on Twitter, and subscribing to our blog, the blog.

Kenneth Cole Uses “Augmented Reality” to Promote His New Coffee Table Book

Kenneth Cole and Rizzoli Partner on Book Launch: This is a Kenneth Cole Production

Designer Kenneth Cole (www.kennethcole.com) has collaborated with Rizzoli on the publication of a coffee table book celebrating his 30 year career in fashion and social engagement.  Featuring additional behind the scenes content in the form of augmented reality, consumers will be encouraged to scan a sticker on the book cover to download Junaio, a free mobile app, which will launch an image and personal message from the designer.   In addition to the cover, select pages throughout the book have also been activated with augmented reality giving readers special access to insider video content about the designer and his company.

Book Cover: This is a Kenneth Cole Production. (PRNewsFoto/Kenneth Cole)

Designed by Jacob Wildschioedtz and co-authored by Lisa Birnbach (author of the iconic 1980’s The Preppie Handbook, a classic), This is a Kenneth Cole Production, chronicles the upstart of the fashion designer who built his brand from humble beginnings in 1982 into a memorable brand powerhouse. Spanning his 30-year career, the book pulls back the curtain of Kenneth’s world: from his earliest days learning the shoe business from his father to early days of building his empire; from branching out into clothing to being credited with making basic black the ultimate go-to color for sleek and stylish city garb; and from the origins of his powerful ad campaigns to his vigilant social activism.

The book will retail for $75 and will be on sale October 1(st) at all Kenneth Cole stores worldwide, on www.kennethcole.com and wherever fine books are sold.   100% of Kenneth Cole’s profits from the book will be donated to amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

To view excerpts from the book, visit www.30yearsbold.com.

Book Tour & Designer Personal Appearances

To support the book, the brand will be partnering with blogger Amy Levin of College Fashionista on a five-city book tour

Kenneth Cole logo. (PRNewsFoto/Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc.)

to support the launch.  The tour, which will be comprised of a series of designer Q&A’s at the top Liberal Arts and Design colleges across the country, will be moderated by Levin, and live streamed on Google+ Hang Out.  Kicking off in October, Cole’s first stop will be FIT followed by visits to Berkeley, San Francisco Art & Design, University of Miami, and Miami Art & Design, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard.  The tour will conclude back in New York at the prestigious 92 Street Y where Fern Mallis, one of the fashion industries most legendary personalities, will interview Cole as part of her Fashion Icon talks.  In addition to speaking at the Universities, Cole will be on hand to sign personal copies of the book which will be sold at each campus.

While on tour, Cole will also be promoting his fashion brand by doing personal appearances on October 12th at Nordstrom in San Francisco, and on November 9th at Bloomingdales in Aventura, South Florida.

 

David Yurman Creates Special Edition CLASSIC® Timepiece and Starburst Pendant for The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, David Yurman, America’s premier jewelry and timepiece designer, proudly announces two new limited editions: the women’s CLASSIC® timepiece in pink ceramic and the Starburst pendant

David Yurman CLASSIC(R) Women’s Timepiece in Pink Ceramic. (PRNewsFoto/David Yurman)

featuring brilliant pink sapphires. Twenty percent of the purchase price of both styles will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF), representing the company’s sixth year supporting the fight against breast cancer (www.bcrfcure.org).

The CLASSIC® Ceramic timepiece is defined by its sophisticated performance and design. Featuring a stainless steel and pink ceramic bracelet, this latest addition to the collection exudes effortless elegance. The brand’s iconic Cable is seamlessly integrated into the 34mm case, complete with diamond bezel.

David Yurman Starburst Pendant. (PRNewsFoto/David Yurman)

Also premiering is a new addition to the Starburst collection, a 16mm pendant sparkling with pink sapphires in sterling silver.  An ode to the designer’s wife, Sybil, and her love of fireworks, these pieces, like everything Yurman designs, feature the iconic Cable motif.

The Special Edition Pink Ceramic CLASSIC® ($7,200) and Pink Sapphire Starburst ($595) are available through the month of October at David Yurman retail stores and at www.davidyurman.com.

  The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®, founded by the late (and still very much missed) Evelyn H. Lauder in 1993, is an independent not-for-profit organization committed to funding scientific research to achieve prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime.  In October 2012, BCRF awarded $40 million to 197 scientists across the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and China. With 91 cents of every dollar spent by BCRF directed towards breast cancer research and awareness programs, BCRF remains one of the most fiscally responsible charities in the country. For the tenth time since 2002, it has earned 4 stars from Charity Navigator.  Additionally, BCRF is the only breast cancer organization rated an “A+” by CharityWatch.  For more information about BCRF, visit www.bcrfcure.org.

David Yurman founded his company in New York in 1980, and quickly became known as America’s leading fine jewelry and luxury timepiece designer for men, women, and children. His signature gold and silver designs; diamond, pearl, and gemstone jewelry; and Swiss-crafted timepieces are renowned for capturing the essence of relaxed American luxury. David Yurman collections are available at 26 retail locations throughout the United States, France and China, and at authorized fine jewelry and timepiece retailers across the country. For more information about David Yurman, visit www.davidyurman.com. Follow on www.Twitter.com/davidyurman, www.Instagram.com/davidyurman, www.Pinterest.com/davidyurman, www.Youtube.com/davidyurman, and www.Facebook.com/davidyurman.