New York Film Critics Series Announces Launch Of Live National In-Theater Screening Series Moderated By Rolling Stone Film Critic Peter Travers

ALEXANDER PAYNE’S “NEBRASKA” TO PLAY OPENING NIGHT

The New York Film Critics Series® (NYFCS®), one of the leading word-of-mouth screening companies, has announced they have partnered with Movie Theater locations throughout the U.S. to present a live, national, in-theater Screening Series. The events are moderated by Peter Travers, film critic for Rolling Stone Magazine, and ABC’s Popcorn. The Series presents interactive, in-theater; pre-release movies and big screen HD simulcast with the stars and filmmakers. The big screen events deliver 9-13 carefully chosen pre-release films per year to discerning audiences on a monthly basis. Each movie in the Screening Series is introduced live by Travers. Audiences then see award contenders prior to their release followed by live, High Definition Q&A between Travers, audiences and talent from the films. Each piece will bring the energy and VIP nature of prestigious, NYC screenings for nationwide audiences to interact with stars and directors via two way simulcast. This will not be available on the internet or TV.

The opening night will feature Paramount Vantage’s NEBRASKA, with live appearances by the film’s stars Bruce Darn, Winner of Best Actor, 2013 International Cannes Film Festival, and Will Forte (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and MACGRUBER). After receiving a sweepstakes letter in the mail, a cantankerous father (Darn) thinks he’s struck it rich and convinces his son (Forte) into taking a road trip to claim the fortune.  Shot in black and white across four states, Nebraska tells the stories of family life in the heartland of America.  June Squibb, Stacy Keach and Bob Odenkirk round out the cast.  Nebraska is directed by Oscar® winner Alexander Payne (THE DESCENDANTS, SIDEWAYS). The film opens in theaters November 15. The live event will be simulcast live from AMC EMPIRE 25, 234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036. 8PM ET. www.nyfilmcriticsseries.com

Producer Mark Ehrenkranz, who will continue to program the series, commented: “Exclusive New York screenings with Peter Travers and live stars will now be intimately shared and enjoyed by film lovers everywhere in the comfort of their own neighborhood theaters. Unavailable in the past, filmgoers now have immediate access to personally chat with artisans to honestly discuss their work. The creators of the best independent films will now mutually interact with a nationwide audience to help spread the word and ensure that these films of high caliber continue to be made and distributed.” The prestige movies in the Screening Series might be followed by a regular theatrical run, or be available thereafter on VOD, DVD and other home entertainment vehicles.’

Travers is an American film critic, who has written for, in turn, People and Rolling Stone. Travers also hosts a celebrity interview show called Popcorn on ABC News Now and www.ABCNews.com. He’s best known for his basic writing style that eschews a more sophisticated analysis for an easy-to-read and often very opinionated form. According to www.efilmcritic.com, Travers is the nation’s most blurbed film critic. Peter has hosted the NYFCS for over 10 years. In addition to Rolling Stone Magazine, ABC-TV, Peter appears regularly on The Daily Beast, The Soho Apple Store, and CNN.

This is the first ever Live National In-Theater Screening Series which will entertain, educate, surprise, and refresh the spirit of true independent and foreign language filmmaking through provocative story-telling. The NYFCS® is dedicated to producing inspiring events in a collaborative environment and to nurturing the long-term success of movies. Featuring an energetic, creative, and experienced team, the NYFCS® exhibits socially and culturally relevant films with live world-class talent in the best independent theaters throughout the US.

The Screening Series will be produced and distributed by Ehrenkranz, who has 25+ years of experience with the NY Film Critics Series® as well as production/marketing/distribution at Pacific Arts, Pixie Productions, Really Cool Jobs®, Greyshack films, VideoLine® and Ingram Entertainment.

The Golden Door Establishes Professional Advisory Team On Health To Guide Guests Along The Cluttered Path To A Healthy Lifestyle

The Golden Door (www.goldendoor.com), the famed destination spa, has established a Professional Advisory Team on Health (PATH) to curate the areas of nutrition, exercise physiology, longevity, skin health and stress management. These nationally-recognized advisors include luminaries of publishing, academics, television personalities and award-winning authors.

“We are establishing our first ever Advisory Team because of the critical importance of nutrition in the Body, Mind and Soul triumvirate,” says Kathy Van Ness, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of the Golden Door. “We are continuing Golden Door’s tradition of innovation within the spa industry by assembling this unprecedented collection of experts. The combined knowledge of our high-caliber Team will provide our guests with the best possible nutritional guidance as well as advice on heart health, beauty, fitness and overall wellness.”

Golden Door. (PRNewsFoto/Golden Door Properties, LLC)

In addition to serving as an ongoing resource to the Golden Door, members will be making themselves available to Golden Door guests through special programming throughout the year. The PATH members are:

Joy Bauer MS, RD, CDN – Nutrition and health expert for NBC’s TODAY show and monthly columnist for Woman’s Day magazine.

Annette Shafer – Author, The Wine Sense Diet and owner of Nourish Napa Valley.

Alyse Levine MS, RD – Founder of Nutritionbite LLC, a top ranked nutrition consulting practice based in Los Angeles.

Len Kravitz, PhD – Program Coordinator of Exercise Science and Research at the University of New Mexico.

Kathie Davis – Co-founder and Executive Director of IDEA Health & Fitness Association.

David S Finn, MD – Medical Director of the Mass General Medical Group at the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Dr. Debra J. Rose, PhD – Professor in the Department of Kinesiology at California State University, Fullerton, and Director of the Center for Successful Aging.

Dr. E. Lee Rice, DO, FAAFP, FAOASM – Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the Lifewellness Institute.

Dr. Judith Orloff, MD – Assistant clinical professor of Psychiatry at UCLA and author of the New York Times bestseller Emotional Freedom.

Dr. Rachelle Amini Robinson – Licensed Clinical Psychologist.

Dr. Tomer Anbar – Director of the Global Pain Institute and Founder and first Director of the Multidisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program at Scripps Health.

Dr. Ava Shamban – Extreme Makeover dermatologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the UCLA-Geffen School of Medicine.

Deborah Madison – American chef, cooking teacher and author of Vegetable Literacy.

Dr. Judith Reichman – Attending physician in gynecology at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Helping to coordinate the efforts of the prestigious Team will be the Golden Door’s in-house nutritional expert, Susan Piergeorge, a registered dietitian and nutritionist with over two decades in nutrition counseling, health promotion, food industry and culinary experience. She possesses a Professional Culinary Certificate and is also the author of the book Boomer Be Well! Rebel Against Aging Through Food, Nutrition, and Lifestyle.

“The good news for our guests is that there is a wealth of information available regarding healthy eating – the bad news is that there is a wealth of information available regarding healthy eating,” says Ms. Piergeorge. “The data, studies and opinions vary widely and create a confusing information overload. The goal of our Professional Advisory Team is to help boil down all the information, separating the wheat from the chaff, or given all the confusion about wheat itself, perhaps I should say ‘separating the wheat from the wheat.'”

“Ileana Sonnabend: Ambassador for the New” at the Museum of Modern Art

December 21, 2013–April 21, 2014

Special Exhibitions Gallery, third floor

During a career spanning half a century, Ileana Sonnabend (1914–2007) helped shape the course of postwar art in Europe and North America. Both a gallerist and a noted collector, Sonnabend discovered and championed some of the most significant artists of her time. Among the many important works that Sonnabend owned is Robert Rauschenberg’s Combine painting Canyon (1959), which the Sonnabend family generously donated to The Museum of Modern Art in 2012. In celebration of this extraordinary gift, Ileana Sonnabend: Ambassador for the New explores Sonnabend’s legendary eye through selected works of art that she presented in her eponymous galleries in Paris and New York.

Andy Warhol (United States, 1928–1987). Ileana Sonnabend. 1973. Acrylic and silkscreen on canvas, two panels. 40 x 80″ (101.6 x 203.2 cm). Sonnabend Collection, New York. © 2013 Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Renowned for her ambassadorial role in bringing new art across the Atlantic, Sonnabend was instrumental in introducing American Pop art and Minimalism to Europe and Italian Arte Povera to the United States. Sonnabend also sought out and supported some of the most noncommercial and challenging Conceptual, new-media, and performance-based art of the 1970s. The exhibition includes works by approximately 30 artists, including Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Robert Morris, Mario Merz, Vito Acconci, Mel Bochner, John Baldessari, and Jeff Koons. Ileana Sonnabend: Ambassador for the New reveals the astounding scope of Sonnabend’s taste and salutes her commitment to introducing groundbreaking art to the public.

Mario Merz (Italy, 1925–2003). Igloo Fibonacci. 1970. Copper, aluminum, and marble. 72 x 96 x 96″ (182.9 x 243.8 x 243.8 cm). Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg. Photo: Helge Mundt. © 2013 Fondazione Merz, Turin / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Roy Lichtenstein (United States, 1923–1997). Little Aloha. 1962. Acrylic on canvas. 44 1/16 x 42 1/8″ (111.9 x 107 cm). Sonnabend Collection, New York. © Estate of Roy Lichtenstein

Holiday 2013 Entertaining: The House of CAMUS Unveils New ‘Family Legacy’ Cognac

CAMUS (pronunciation:  “Kah-moo”), the largest independent, family-owned Cognac house and 5th largest worldwide, is proud to announce their latest work of art, Family Legacy. Appropriately named, Family Legacy stands as a tribute to the combined experience of five generations of the CAMUS Family. It is a rich and sumptuous blend of five crus, married step by step in eight stages to create the exquisite offering.

CAMUS has been managed by five generations since it was founded in 1863. Today, it is the world’s fifth largest Cognac firm, employs 500 people and is managed by 42-year-old President and General Manager Cyril Camus, who follows his forefathers’ philosophy of quality, tradition and innovation. CAMUS sells products in nearly every country in the world, including most international airports and on board many international airlines, with a network of over 200 duty-free partners, covering more than 4,000 shops worldwide. The brand successfully launched in the U.S. in 2010.

Family Legacy embodies what five generations of the CAMUS Family like to call: “the Finer Things in Life.” Five crus, each from Grande Champagne, Petite Champagne, Bon Bois, Fin Bois and the famous Borderies, are blended perfectly in eight consecutive steps to bring Family Legacy to life. The expression adheres to the ancestral rules of perfect blending – a legacy of past expertise recorded in the cellar master’s “cahier de coupe” for posterity since the 19th century. Aged in French oak barrels, each step takes approximately three months to ensure a perfect and subtle integration of all aromas. These five crus are blended from the youngest to the oldest to ensure the most homogeneous and delicate possible match. To reach its peak, Family Legacy must attain the perfect strength of 40.8% vol.

At the request of Cyril CAMUS, President and General Manager of CAMUS, a former decanter design created a few decades ago has been re-envisioned to house the amber hued, gold-flecked liquid. The enhanced bottle design maintains a nod to the House’s heritage, while featuring contemporary lines and finishes of modern elegance—a true expression of the brand’s Living Tradition philosophy. The luxurious bottle is finished with a multi-faceted crystal stopper.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Round, smooth notes opening into velvety, complex aromas of tangerine, violet and oak fading into labdanum (Mediterranean flower) notes reminiscent of haute couture perfume.

Palate: rich and generous nose, building on hints of creme brulee and dulce de leche within the soft, delicate and voluptuously fruity character of vine peach, ending with crisp tangerine. Some dried fruit notes offer dynamic, complex staying power to a balanced, lingering and elegant finish.

Available nationwide beginning in October, Family Legacy is priced at $1299 and comes housed in an exceptional decanter and contemporary gift box.

Crystal Cruises Wins 20th Year As Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Best Cruise Line

2013 Score is Highest of All Small, Midsize, and Large-Ship Cruise Lines

For a record 20th year, Conde Nast Traveler magazine readers have voted ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises the industry’s “Best Cruise Line” (Midsize).  Crystal’s winning score of 94.4 is the company’s highest since 2004, second highest ever, and highest overall score of all Small, Midsize, and Large-ship cruise lines.  Crystal significantly outranked its luxury peers in

Conde Nast Traveler 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards. (PRNewsFoto/Conde Nast Traveler)

almost all the voting categories, including Itineraries, Excursions, Service, Food, Activities/Facilities, and Design.  The line also bested its own previous top scores in the Service and Food categories, and tied its past personal best in Itineraries.  All Readers’ Choice winners and scores are listed at www.cntraveler.com/rca will be featured in the U.S. magazine’s November 2013 issue.

With ground-breaking enhancements to its vacation experience and $120 million invested in redesigns, while retaining the service, choices, and quality for which the line has been known, Crystal’s ratings have consistently climbed in recent years.

“To earn this award once is an incredible achievement; to be recognized by discerning travelers for an unprecedented 20 years is astounding,” said Edie Bornstein, Crystal’s new president and chief operating officer, who joined the company today.  “While I have long admired Crystal from afar, it was only when I recently sailed that I fully grasped why this experience receives such consistent accolades.  Every single member of the Crystal team works incredibly hard to give discerning vacationers a Six-Star standard of luxury travel that is unwavering, while leading new developments within cruising.  I want to personally thank all of Crystal’s crew, employees, associates, and guests for their part in this humbling, momentous win, and look forward to leading the company into the next two decades of record-breaking awards.”

The Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are among the most preeminent in travel, honoring the best hotels, airlines, cruise lines, cities, rental car companies, and islands from around the world.  Almost twice as many readers voted this year as last — a record 79,268 — ranking their personal experiences with cruise lines’ Itineraries, Excursions, Service, Food, Activities/Facilities, Staterooms, and Design.

Computer University at Sea® on Crystal Serenity

Crysal Serenity -North Cape Geiranger

Crystal Cheese Sommelier

All three of Crystal Cruises’ 2013 Mind, Body, and Spirit-themed cruises offer complimentary fitness classes, ranging from yoga and Pilates Reformer to Tai Chi and nutrition education. (PRNewsFoto/Crystal Cruises)

CRYSTAL CRUISES COMPUTER CLASSES

Crystal Cruises(TM) European-trained waiters stand at the ready to serve. (PRNewsFoto/Crystal Cruises)

Crystal Serenity – Crystal Spa & Salon Reception Area

Crystal Serenity in Sorrento, Italy

Crystal Serenity Stateroom with Balcony

Crystal Symphony in Antarctica. (PRNewsFoto/Crystal Cruises)

SeaHorse Pool on Crystal Symphony

Waiter Serving Afternoon Tea

The renowned Crystal Experience has been rated “World’s Best” more than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history.  The newest “Best” award is but the latest in a string of readers’ choice awards Crystal has won it its size category this year, including Conde Nast Traveler’s #1 and #2 cruise ships, Travel + Leisure magazine’s World’s Best Cruise Line and Service and Cruise Critic’s Best Dining, Entertainment, and Public Rooms.

U.S. Postal Service Announces New Virgin and Child Forever Stamp at American Stamp Dealers Association Stamp Show

Holy Family Forever Stamp Reissued as Pane of 20 Stamps

The U.S. Postal Service unveiled two Christmas Forever stamps–including the new Virgin and Child stamp by Jan Gossaert features a detail of Gossaert’s 1531 oil-on-wood painting, Virgin and Child, from the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art (as a booklet of 20 stamps)–during the American Stamp Dealers Association stamp show in New York. Also, the Postal Service announced the issuance of the Holy Family Forever Stamp in a new format as a pane of 20 stamps.

Draped in purple and blue, the Virgin Mary supports her own head by leaning on one of her hands. According to art historians, this pose was an unusual way to depict the Virgin Mary in Gossaert’s time and may have been meant to evoke both sadness and contemplation by reminding viewers of earlier artistic depictions of ancient scholars, St. Joseph in Nativity scenes, and mourners at the Crucifixion. Supported by the Virgin Mary’s other hand, a curly-haired infant Jesus loosely draped in a white cloth looks to the viewer’s right and holds a bunch of red currants, which scholars have interpreted as foreshadowing Christ’s future suffering.

This is the second time a Gossaert painting has appeared on a U.S. stamp. In 2002, the U.S. Postal Service issued a Christmas stamp that featured a detail of Gossaert’s circa-1520 oil-on-panel Madonna and Child. Gossaert is credited with being one of the first artists to bring the innovations of the Italian Renaissance to northern Europe. Richard Sheaff served as art director for this issue.

First issued in 2012 as booklets, the Holy Family stamp celebrates Christmas with a scene from the Nativity story that reminds us of the joys of the season: family, togetherness and the birth of Jesus. The stamp depicts Joseph leading a donkey that carries Mary and the baby Jesus, guided by a star shining in the twilight of a desert sky. Art director William Gicker, designer Greg Breeding and illustrator Nancy Stahl created this evocative image of the Holy Family.

The Virgin and Child by Jan Gossaert and the Holy Family stamps may be purchased at local Post Offices, online at www.usps.com/stamps or by calling 800- STAMP24 (800-782-6724). Additionally, the stamps are being sold on www.ebay.com/stamps. Forever stamps are good for mailing 1-ounce First-Class Mail letters anytime in the future regardless of price changes.

Holiday 2013 Gift Guide: the Brookstone Perfect Drink App-Controlled Smart Bartending system Turns Anyone into a Master Bartender

Brookstone’s App-Controlled Smart Bartending Makes the Perfect Drink Every Time

ANY DRINK. ANY SIZE. ALWAYS PERFECT.

Brookstone (www.brookstone.com), the multichannel specialty retailer and product development company, introduced the Brookstone Perfect Drink App-Controlled Smart Bartending system, (consisting of a smart scale, 750ml stainless steel shaker, 2 drink pouring spouts, 3.5mm cable and phone/tablet stand) available for pre-order today on www.Brookstone.com and in Brookstone stores starting October 18th for $69.99.

Brookstone Perfect Drink App-Controlled Bartending System. (PRNewsFoto/Brookstone)

A revolution in home bartending, the Perfect Drink smart scale and free app containing hundreds of drink recipes guides home bartenders with real-time pouring instructions. Choose serving size with Perfect Drink to make one drink or a party pitcher and watch as the virtual glass fills on the smartphone or tablet screen. The app senses the perfect pour, alerts when to stop and compensates for over-pouring by instantly re-adjusting the other ingredients.

Perfect Drink is easy to use and turns home bartenders into mixologists with its ability to save custom variations, create and save new drink recipes, and even generates a list of drinks to make with on-hand ingredients.

The system includes the following:

— Free app for iOS and Android(TM) with hundreds of recipes

— Choose the recipe and place glass (or pitcher) on the included smart scale

— Watch the virtual glass fill onscreen screen as liquid is poured

— Perfect Drink guides what to pour and when to stop

— Choose serving size from 1 to a pitcher

— Create and save your own variations

“Perfect Drink is magic! It instantly turns you into an expert bartender, and make parties even more fun. You’ll be amazed how the virtual glass on your phone or tablet screen fills up as you pour each ingredient,” said Steve Schwartz, Brookstone Vice President of Merchandising & Product Development.  Schwartz added, “Perfect Drink is a must have, perfect gift for the entertainer in your life.”

Located in shopping malls and airports, the stores feature unique and innovative consumer products. Brookstone also operates an e-commerce business that includes the Brookstone catalog and www.Brookstone.com.

Toad the Wet Sprocket Celebrate Release of New Studio Album, New Constellation

With Performance At Local Independent Record Store And Additional Tour Dates

Toad the Wet Sprocket

The long awaited CD release is out. Toad the Wet Sprocket (http://www.toadthewetsprocket.com, Glen Phillips: lead vocals, guitars, ukulele, keyboards; Todd Nichols: guitars, vocals; Dean Dinning: bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals, keyboards; Randy Guss: drums, percussion), the band known for such chart-topping songs as “Walk on the Ocean“, “All I Want“, “Something’s Always Wrong“, and “Fall Down“, release their first new album in 16 years today, celebrating with in store performance at local record store Salzers Records in Ventura, California. Fans and critics alike have embraced the band who wrapped up their Kickstarter Campaign in August with an overwhelming $264,762, 529% of its original goal. New Constellation, featuring 11 new songs produced by Mikal Blue, is being independently released on the band’s label, Abe’s Records and available in all digital stores (iTunes, Amazon, etc.) as well as physical retailers.

Toad The Wet Sprocket’s New Constellation Released October 15, 2013. toadthewetsprocket.com. (PRNewsFoto/Toad the Wet Sprocket)

NEW CONSTELLATION (Abe’s Records)

1.   New Constellation

2.   California Wasted

3.   The Moment

4.   Rare Bird

5.   I’ll Bet on You

6.   Golden Age

7.   Get What You Want

8.   Is There Anyone Out There

9.   Life is Beautiful

10.  The Eye

11.  Enough

Coming out of the gate with a Rolling Stone premiere of the first single and title track of the album on June 5, traveling through late summer and well into fall to play shows including Farm Aid, and gaining momentum with fans and the press, the band will continue on their extensive tour through November.

Jockey Launches New Marketing Campaign for The Jockey Women’s Collection Featuring Rachel Zoe’s “Must-Haves”

NEW CAMPAIGN FOCUSES ON BRAND’S ICONIC, YET EVOLVING IMAGE AND CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH STYLIST, RACHEL ZOE

Jockey International, Inc. has announced the launch of their new marketing campaign, “Redefining Comfort,” for the Jockey collection as preferred by Rachel Zoe. The new campaign is designed to convey confidence and a more glamorous side of Jockey, and aims to challenge the perception that comfort and fashion can’t co-exist. The new campaign builds on the brand’s partnership with 2013 “Stylist of the Year“, Rachel Zoe, who started working with Jockey in July 2012.

Jockey. (PRNewsFoto/Jockey International, Inc.)

The campaign’s creative elements were conceptualized with the modern woman in mind. The prototype Jockey woman is “someone who’s confident, happy, on-the-go and always chic.” Evoking the modern woman, the campaign imagery focuses on the personal and intimate moments she goes through while getting dressed – whether it’s for work or an evening out. Headlines such as “Comfort Just Got Chic,” “Comfort Just Got Glam,” “Comfort Just Got Sleek” and “Comfort Just Got Flirty” show that it’s time to give comfort a makeover, starting with the foundation of your look.

“Redefining Comfort” Marketing Campaign: Comfort Just Got Flirty Marketing Campaign: Comfort Just Got Flirty. (PRNewsFoto/Jockey International, Inc.)

The Jockey collection, including those items chosen as Rachel Zoe’s “Must-Haves,” provides consumers with high-quality, on-trend innerwear in a variety of cuts, colors and patterns, ranging from thongs and boyshorts to lace and laser-cut edges. Highlighted within the new marketing campaign are key pieces, such as Clean Edge – featuring laser-cut edges for a flawless finish; Lacy Dot – an ultra-feminine design of delicate lace and picot trim; Skimmies® – a modern slipshort offering smoothing coverage without constriction; and shapewear tops that feature a unique, patented three-panel design providing targeted control in key spots.

Stuart Weitzman Celebrates 20th Anniversary of The Iconic 5050 Boot With The Launch of A Digital Pop-Up Shop on Gilt.com

Pop-Up Shop To Feature Fourteen Limited-Edition Styles Exclusive to GILT

20 Years, 20 Styles, 20 Days Only: Stuart Weitzman’s 5050 Boot at www.5050bootcamp.com

The iconic Stuart Weitzman 5050 boot celebrates its twentieth anniversary this fall. And to commemorate this milestone, the brand will partner with innovative online shopping destination, GILT, to launch a 20-piece Anniversary Collection, which includes ten limited-edition styles. Commencing October 17th at noon ET, customers will have access to the Stuart Weitzman 5050 Anniversary Capsule Collection for 20 days only via a unique digital pop-up shop, which was created exclusively by GILT – www.5050bootcamp.com

Stuart Weitzman Celebrates 20th Anniversary of The Iconic 5050 Boot With The Launch of A Digital Pop-Up Shop on Gilt.com. (PRNewsFoto/Stuart Weitzman)

A luxury brand built upon the idea of creating a beautifully constructed shoe, founder and designer Stuart Weitzman’s main objective has always been to merge fashion and function. The first thing a women puts on in the morning and the last thing she takes off at night, his shoes are designed to feel as good as they look and to look as good as they feel. Stuart Weitzman Holdings LLC (www.stuartweitzman.com), a global leader in designer footwear, operates 44 retail stores across the United States, including New York, Beverly Hills, Chicago, Boston and Las Vegas.  The company also has 53 international stores and is sold in more than 70 countries.

This legendary over-the-knee flat boot has garnered a cult-like following amongst Hollywood starlets and It-Girls worldwide and is considered the must-have boot season after season. From the Sundance Film Festival (Elizabeth Olsen), to the set of The Amazing Spider-Man (Emma Stone), to the red carpet (Olivia Wilde), to the concert stage (Ke$ha), the 5050 is as versatile and well-rounded as the Hollywood celebrities who wear it.

The unwavering popularity is attributed to its uniquely stylish design of half micro stretch and half nappa leather – giving it the 5050 name.  The ultimate in fashion and function, this best-selling style is at once elegant and flattering on legs of all shapes and sizes, thanks to the micro stretch insert seamlessly integrated into the back of the boot.  The boot is consistently in such high demand that it regularly sells out at retail outlets around the globe every year.

The Anniversary Collection will include the classic 5050 staples (black nappa, black patent and navy suede) plus designs in an array of unique materials that are being released for very first time (zebra hair calf, sea crystal snake calfskin, black goosebump nappa, cognac leopard hair calf and studded tan nubuc). The most dramatic is the Swarovski pave version, which is custom-crafted with 25,000 crystals hand-set in an elaborate leopard pattern. Retail prices for the collection range from $598 – $890; the Swarovski pave boot is $10,000).

GILT, www.gilt.com, is an innovative online shopping destination offering its members special access to the most inspiring merchandise and experiences every day at insider prices. Gilt continually searches the world for the most coveted brands and products, including fashion for women, men, and children; home decor; and unique activities in select cities and destinations. We believe that every day is an opportunity to inspire and be inspired.

A Whisky Fit for Kings, JOHNNIE WALKER Releases JOHNNIE WALKER EXPLORERS’ CLUB COLLECTION – THE ROYAL ROUTE

FINAL RELEASE COMPLETES THE TRADE ROUTES SERIES, AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO TRAVELLERS

Today JOHNNIE WALKER, the world’s leading Scotch Whisky brand, unveiled the (final and) jewel in the crown of its new and exclusive range, the JOHNNIE WALKER EXPLORERS’ CLUB COLLECTION – THE ROYAL ROUTE.

Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club Collection – The Royal Route

Exclusively available to adventure seekers who adopt the exploratory ethos of the John Walker & Sons agents, this luxury blend completes the first Series of the collection – the Trade Routes Series. From the four corners of Scotland to the four corners of the world, JOHNNIE WALKER has always pushed boundaries to discover new horizons. From 1820, the Walker family and their agents travelled the world, navigating their way down the famous trade routes: the spice road of Europe and Asia; the royal route from Europe to Persia; and the gold route of the Americas and the Caribbean, in pursuit of adventures bringing both new business and rich experiences. Their efforts ensured that, by the 1920s, JOHNNIE WALKER had arrived in 120 countries and was being enjoyed on the great railways, luxury ocean liners and early transatlantic flights. Meanwhile, the striking image of the JOHNNIE WALKER Striding Man was becoming an icon all over the world.

Johnnie Walker Explorers’ Club Collection – The Royal Route bottle

Back in London, close to the shipping houses and docks from which the JOHNNIE WALKER agents travelled the world, Alexander Walker established the Travellers’ Room where his agents would convene to rest, talk strategy and exchange stories and samples from their travels. These colorful tales of exploration influenced the JOHNNIE WALKER Master Blenders, who began to create different styles of whisky to reflect these exotic stories. Today, this tradition continues as JOHNNIE WALKER produces the JOHNNIE WALKER EXPLORERS’ CLUB COLLECTION, a range of whiskies made exclusively for travelers. The three variants in the collection collectively known as the Trade Routes Series are inspired by the richness that could be found along the great trade routes. The three blends in the Trade Routes Series are inspired by the richness of cultures, sights and experiences that they found along these great trade paths and which inspired our master blenders for generations.

JOHNNIE WALKER EXPLORERS’ CLUB COLLECTION – THE GOLD ROUTE

JOHNNIE WALKER EXPLORERS’ CLUB COLLECTION – THE SPICE ROAD(TM),

JOHNNIE WALKER EXPLORERS’ CLUB COLLECTION – THE ROYAL ROUTE

JOHNNIE WALKER EXPLORERS’ CLUB COLLECTION – THE ROYAL ROUTE is the culmination of the Trade Route Series, which began with the first release, JOHNNIE WALKER EXPLORERS’ CLUB COLLECTION – THE SPICE ROAD(TM), in December 2012, launched to critical acclaim. It is an evocative expression of the vibrancy, aromas and spices that the JOHNNIE WALKER agents would have discovered in the thriving markets around Asia. The second release, JOHNNIE WALKER EXPLORERS’ CLUB COLLECTION – THE GOLD ROUTE(TM), was launched in March and brings to life Master Blender’s expression of the exotic fruit flavors and rich golden colors of Latin America.

HSN Debuted New Collections From David Meister, Dee Hilfiger, Hal Rubenstein, Joy Gryson And R.J. Graziano at the HSN Fall Fashion Suite at the Empire Hotel during New York Fashion Week

NEW STYLES INCLUDES COLLECTIONS FROM HSN VETERANS GIULIANA RANCIC, IRIS APFEL, JUNE AMBROSE, AND TWIGGY WERE ALSO PART OF THE FALL PRESS PREVIEW

HSN LAUNCHED JEANS SHOP WITH THE DEBUT OF JAMES JEANS AND NYDJ AND HSN DENIM FAVORITES DIANE GILMAN, DKNY JEANS AND YUMMIE BY HEATHER THOMSON.

Images by Phillip Johnson/ www.fashionpluslifestyle.wordpress.com

Entertainment and lifestyle retailer HSN launched new collections from David David Meister dresses; DEESIGNS by Dee Hilfiger; Hal Rubenstein‘s new lifestyle collection; an exclusive handbag collection from Joy Gryson (OH by Joy Gryson); and a new handbag line from jewelry guru R.J. Graziano at the Empire Hotel during New York 2014 Spring/Summer Fashion Week in early September.

“Our Fall Fashion series is all about easy ways to elevate your look,” says Anne Martin-Vachon, Chief Merchandising Officer for HSN. “By introducing lines from notables like Hal Rubenstein and David Meister, as well as expanding collections from leading HSN designers like Dee Hilfiger and R.J. Graziano, we are making high level fashion accessible for the every day.”

Red carpet guru David Meister launched his first HSN exclusive collection on September 26. This included an assortment of day, evening and cocktail dresses inspired by his signature looks and best sellers from his archives. Long recognized as one of the most well-respected figures in fashion, he understands how to masterfully present the feminine form in a way that flatters curves and embodies glamour. The consumer friendly collection ranges from $149.90 to $259.90 with elevated fabrics in warm colors.

Following her first handbag launch with HSN, fashion model and high-end handbag designer Dee Hilfiger announced–was on hand, with her husband, Tommy, at the HSN Fall Fashion Suite for– the launch of her expanded lifestyle collection for HSN on September 25. DEESIGNS by Dee Hilfiger was created with a busy, modern woman in mind. During the design process, Dee created coordinating footwear, handbag and outerwear pieces, presenting the DEESIGNS buyer with a one-stop shop for “head-to-toe shopping.” Dee has combined affordable luxury with thoughtful styles to create a lifestyle collection that embodies polished, effortless dressing. Prices range from $79 to $239.

Mrs. Hilfiger patterned this collection based on, first and foremost, what she felt women needs to get through the day. This meant, for her, beautifully-designed slip-on loafers and handbags that are designed to carry everything a woman will need from the moment she gets up (to get the kids off to school) to the moment she goes to bed (after making sure her kids are safely asleep). This is a beautifully thought out, seasonless, well-priced collection that will hold any woman in good stead she navigates her life.

Hal Rubenstein talking about the his new Hal Rubenstein (Lifestyle) Collection

Esteemed fashion editor, director and stylist for over 25 years, Hal Rubenstein launches his first ever collection with HSN on September 27. Ranging from $39.90 to $299.90, the Hal Rubenstein Collection includes a range of accessories, body conscious separates, suede footwear, and tailored outerwear. The pieces are designed in harmony so a woman can open her closet and instead of saying, “What am I going to wear?” she will ask herself, “What do I get to wear?” Pulling from Hal’s industry experience, his designs are not driven by the trendy whims of fashion, but instead reflect a woman’s own personal style and what flatters her unique shape.

Speaking at the press preview at the Empire Hotel, Mr. Rubenstein spoke of advocating for clothes that works for the average American woman. “Style is about you, not the celebrities you see on the television or in magazines,” he remarked to reporters on the scene. “My collection is about ALL women. These are clothes that [should] make you proud of yourself and who you are. Every woman is unique, every body shape is unique. At InStyle, we celebrate all women and their real selves, as do this collection.”