Lacoste Launches the 2013 Holiday Collections in Collaboration with Peter Saville.

To celebrate its 80th birthday, LACOSTE gave Peter Saville free rein to play with its iconic L.12.12 polo shirt for the brand’s 2013 “Holiday Collector series“. With humour, intelligence and creativity, Saville succeeded in his mission to twist the cult classic polo and turn it into a contemporary collectable. Rather than changing the polo shirt’s shape or color, he decided to playfully experiment with the crocodile. Saville kept the garment’s classic white and the original green of its logo, but pushed the crocodile to its limits by turning it into a doodle, blur, or simple line. “I like the idea of challenging the brand identity“, he explains.

He further added, “When we create art we ask questions, whereas traditionally design gives answers. The issue here is that LACOSTE’s logo is so inherent to the brand’s identity that it stays present even when it no longer resembles itself. My conclusion is that the LACOSTE identity is immortal“.

Two collections will be available from the collaboration: The Lacoste Holiday Collector series N° 8 collection consisting of the signature polo shirt for men and a polo shirt for women in white with eight choices of “crazy crocodiles” and The Lacoste 2013 Limited Edition Collection that is comprised of only 80 units for women and 80 units for men, all sporting a different and completely unique logo. Each piece has a certificate of authenticity signed and numbered by Peter Saville. It goes without saying that there won’t be enough for everybody

Luis Fonsi, Sofia Vergara, Jennifer Aniston, Robin Williams, Shaun White And Michael Strahan Join Marlo Thomas To Star In 10th Annual St. Jude (Children’s Research Hospital) Thanks And Giving® Campaign This Holiday Season

DAISY FUENTES, PRINCE ROYCE, PAMELA SILVA CONDE, LESLIE GRACE, BANDA EL RECODO, CHINO Y NACHO, LUIS ENRIQUE, NATALIA JIMENEZ AND MORE ALSO LEND SUPPORT TO CAMPAIGN

LUIS FONSI, SOFIA VERGARA, JENNIFER ANISTON, ROBIN WILLIAMS MICHAEL STRAHAN and SHAUN WHITE join MARLO THOMAS in leading a star-studded roster of celebrities lending their time and talents in support of the 10TH ANNUAL ST. JUDE THANKS AND GIVING^® CAMPAIGN. The ST. JUDE THANKS AND GIVING CAMPAIGN is an unprecedented union of celebrities, media and 60 of the nation’s leading brands and companies that asks consumers to donate while they shop this holiday season and join St. Jude in finding cures to save children’s lives. National television spots and movie theatre trailers featuring the stars alongside St. Jude patients will debut Thanksgiving week and continue running through the end of the year.

ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL has long led the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other deadly diseases. It has the world’s best survival rates for the most aggressive childhood cancers, and treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since it opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade and freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, so that other doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. FAMILIES NEVER RECEIVE A BILL FROM ST. JUDE FOR TREATMENT, TRAVEL, HOUSING OR FOOD – BECAUSE ALL A FAMILY SHOULD WORRY ABOUT IS HELPING THEIR CHILD LIVE.

Throughout the months of November and December, consumers shopping where the St. Jude logo is displayed can make a donation at checkout or purchase specialty items that benefit St. Jude. Those wanting to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude are also invited to donate online at stjude.org, hospitalsanjudas.org or by phone at 800-278-5833. (For more information, visit stjude.org or hospitalsanjudas.org.)

Created in 2004 by MARLO, TERRE and TONY THOMAS – children of St. Jude founder DANNY THOMAS – the St. Jude Thanks and Giving Campaign began as a holiday-focused fundraising effort and has grown into an annual tradition that has raised more than $387 million thanks to tremendous public support.

Celebrity friends join Marlo Thomas for 10th annual St. Jude Thanks and Giving(R) campaign. (PRNewsFoto/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital)

“My father, Danny Thomas, founded St. Jude with big dreams and it was in that light that we created the St. Jude Thanks and Giving campaign ten years ago,” said Marlo Thomas. “Since the beginning, we have been blessed to have the support from our wonderful family of celebrities. It warms my heart that year after year, they lend their time, talent and generous spirit to help St. Jude raise the funds that allow us to continue our mission of finding cures and saving children’s lives.”

The GRAMMY Museum® To Honor Berry Gordy And Smokey Robinson With First-Ever Architects Of Sound Awards On Nov. 11

Motown-Themed Gala, Hosted by Randy Jackson, Will Take Place at Club Nokia at L.A. LIVE and Will Help Celebrate the Museum’s Five-Year Anniversary

Boyz II Men and Kelly Rowland Are the First Artists Announced to Perform at Gala Tribute Concert, with Proceeds Benefitting Museum Programs

Motown founder Berry Gordy and GRAMMY® winner Smokey Robinson will be honored with The GRAMMY Museum®’s first-ever Architects of Sound Award, it was announced by Bob Santelli, executive director of the Museum. Proceeds from the inaugural GRAMMY Museum benefit gala dinner and concert — to be held on Monday, Nov. 11 , 2013, at Club Nokia in Los Angeles — will provide essential support for the Museum, an educational and interactive museum dedicated to engaging both children and adults in the power of music through dynamic exhibits, educational programs, live performances and more. The event will be hosted by music industry veteran and television personality Randy Jackson.

In recognition of their unparalleled contributions to the Motown genre, Gordy will receive the Architect of Sound: Vision Award and Robinson will receive the Architect of Sound: Artist Award. Selected by the Museum and its Board of

The Recording Academy Logo. (PRNewsFoto/The Recording Academy)

Directors, the Architect of Sound Awards are dedicated to honoring those who are catalysts in changing the musical legacy of America, and who helped shape the sound of a specific genre.

The GRAMMY Museum (www.grammymuseum.org) is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created as a partnership  between The Recording Academy and AEG. Paying tribute to music’s rich cultural history, the one-of-a-kind, 21st century Museum features interactive, permanent and traveling exhibits — with four floors of dynamic and engaging multimedia presentations — and is located within L.A. LIVE, the downtown Los Angeles sports, entertainment and residential district.

“We are honored to celebrate both Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson as the first-ever recipients of the Architects of Sound Awards,” said Santelli. “Their contributions to Motown have truly changed the landscape of American music. We are grateful to these extraordinary industry leaders who will be helping us celebrate not only our first gala, but also our upcoming five-year anniversary of The GRAMMY Museum.”

The 2013 GRAMMY Museum Architects of Sound Gala will begin with a reception and touring of the GRAMMY Museum, followed by a dinner and awards presentation, hosted by Jackson. The celebration will culminate with a concert, produced by Ken Ehrlich Productions, featuring four-time GRAMMY-winning group Boyz II Men and four-time GRAMMY winner Kelly Rowland. In addition to serving as a GRAMMY Museum Board member, Ehrlich has produced the GRAMMY Awards® telecast since 1980 and is responsible for the creation and presentation of the show’s most iconic GRAMMY moments during that time.

Italy’s Azimut Yachts Showcases the new Azimut 80 at the 2013 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

The new Azimut 80  from Azimut Yachts (www.azimutyachts.net) will make her debut in USA at the next Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. She is the first yacht over than 72 feet designed entirely at Azimut’s headquarters in Avigliana, Italy. Developed on the experience of the recent, larger vessels, the Azimut 80 was developed in the exterior design by Stefano Righini while the design of interiors was handled by Salvagni Architetti. The new model by Azimut has already won a prize. At the recent Cannes Boat Show 2013, it was been chosen as the “Most functional Yacht from 24 to 50 metres” in the frame of the 2013 World Yachts Trophy.

Azimut 80 from Azimut Yachts (www.azimutyachts.net) will make her debut in USA at the next Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The Azimut 80 is built in CE class “A” and is NMMA Certified. The layout comprises 4 cabins, all with en-suite bathrooms, including the owner’s cabin extending over the full beam. The yacht can accommodate 8 guests and includes an enormous flybridge, designed for maximum versatility of use.

The interior design, developed by Salvagni Architetti, can be proposed on four different styles: from the more classic Dolcevita and Firenze, to the more contemporary Portofino and Riviera, the main differences laying in the chromatic solutions and in the furniture arrangement. The choice of the four different locations is a clear tribute to a refined lifestyle and a typical Italian taste and inspires nothing but the maximum relax. Different shades of white and cream have been chosen for the interiors’ palette, creating a well-balanced harmony in which wooden details and decors are inserted, the colors ranging from the softer shades of oak wood, to the darker walnut.

The sense of space in the owner’s cabin and in the splendid attached bathroom are certainly among the strongest  points of the yacht, together with the innovative windows offering extraordinary luminosity and an unmatched panoramic view. The five vertical windows effectively transform the bulkheads into a single window for a ‘dive into the ocean’ effect. The owner’s bathroom, covering the entire beam of the yacht and with a double entrance located aft of the cabin, is almost a spa, with a central crystal shower box offering maximum visibility on either side of the bathroom. The opening portholes present in all the cabins offer a high level of natural ventilation.

The Salon on the Azimut 80

In the model on show in Cannes, dove-coloured leather panels with a barely hinted padded decoration that becomes lighter and lighter in the various cabins, adorn the bed heads of each cabin. The interior decoration of the new Azimut 80 is extremely refined and at the same contemporary, thanks to the combination of fine materials and modern touches: marble for the bathrooms, grey bleached oak alternating with dark wood and painted detailing in the skylights and windows all define a sober, sophisticated atmosphere.

The starboard cabin has two single beds and the possibility of a third fold-down bed, plenty of stowage and a bathroom with separate shower, while the guests’ cabin on the port side has a double bed. There is no lack of large windows and opening portholes. In the VIP cabin located further forward, there is one panoramic window on either side.

A carefully planned lighting design based on LED technology makes it possible  for a sophisticated modulation of the lighting system in each interior space. Moreover, the play of mirrors and the height of the interiors – well over two metres high – ensure a truly exceptional sense of space.

The crew’s cabins are located aft, with direct access from the deck; at the moment, two beds are planned, but the possibility of adding a third is currently being studied.

The cockpit with teak flooring is extremely spacious and dedicated to socializing, with a large sofa aft and dining table seating eight. The design of two sky to ground windows (1.6 m by 2 m of glass) located in the dining area is very impressive, as it offers a fantastic natural light and breathtaking view.

The galley, fitted with Miele appliances, is available in two versions: enclosed or open-space. In both cases, there is a double access, towards the interior and towards the exterior, to assure maximum independence between guests and crew. The main deck is also equipped with a function day toilet.

The swimming platform is incredibly large – almost 9 square metres – and provides plenty of space for the launch and retrieval of tenders exceeding 4 metres in length or of jet skis. Further forward, the space is divided into a large sun deck that can comfortably accommodate four people, and an area with a ‘C’-shaped sofa just aft of the windscreen, with further storage.

The fly: 42 square metres of versatile space lending itself to a variety of uses. The seating is a combination of ‘L’-shaped sofas that can be configured as desired. Alongside the helm, there are two sofas positioned in a ‘C’ facing the large table seating eight. The fly is an ideal place from morning to evening; a convenient and well-equipped bar unit has a barbecue, refrigerator and sink, but also houses a retractable 42-inch TV and constitutes the base for an elegant Plexiglas bar counter. Further aft, the second seating area offers maximum flexibility in terms of fittings: it can be left unencumbered, furnished with sofas, set aside for the tender or as a sun deck, or fitted with a hydromassage. The Azimut 80 can also be constructed with an opening hard top and rolling awning towards the stern. A sophisticated style is assured for the outdoor soft furnishings, lined in technological materials offering a ‘fabric’ effect. Coloured dark brown, they include some padded details.

In the engine room, the two 1550 hp MAN engines provide a top speed of 30 knots. The fuel tank has a capacity of 6,000 litres, while the water tank can contain 1,200 litres. As optional extras, the yacht can be fitted with electric CMC Marine stabilizing fins.

Miami Designated Sixth U.S. Destination Of Qatar Airways In The United States

Qatar Airways (www.qatarairways.com), the national airline of Qatar, has announced that Miami (IATA: MIA) will be its sixth destination to the United States starting 10 June 2014. The airline will offer nonstop service from its hub in Doha four times a week on board a Boeing 777. The airline will make direct flights four times a week from its Doha hub.

MIAMI NAMED QATAR AIRWAYS 6TH U.S. DESTINATION. / MIAMI DESIGNADA COMO SEXTO DESTINO ESTADOUNIDENSE DE QATAR AIRWAYS. (PRNewsFoto/Qatar Airways)

Currently, Qatar Airways operates in Chicago, Houston, New York and Washington DC in the United States, and incorporated in Philadelphia in April 2014. The airline will use Boeing 777-200 aircraft for its flights to Miami with a two-class configuration, 42 seats in business class and 217 economy class seats. Qatar Airways won three awards at the 2013 annual edition of the Skytrax World Airline Awards***, held during the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, France this past June. The airline was awarded the prize for Best World Business Class, Best Executive Board of the World and, for the second year running, Best Airline Staff Service in the Middle East. The airline was also named as the Best Airline in the Middle East for the seventh year in a row and its exclusive terminal at the International Airport of Doha came out on top as the Best Airport Exclusive third consecutive year in 2013. Qatar Airways has also received the prestigious Skytrax Airline of the Year twice before, in 2011 and 2012.

Qatar Airways will start operating to and from Miami (MIA) as shown in the following program, which will take effect on June 10, 2014:

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays

DOH QR777 Departure at 08:40 h Arrival at MIA at 17:20 (5:20) pm Travel time: 15:40

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays

QR778 Departure from MIA at 21:15 (7:15) h Arrival at DOH at 18:20 (6:20) h +1 day trip Time: 14:20

“America is a growing market for us and the incorporation of Miami as a destination and our membership in one world Alliance opens a variety of routes with the Middle East , East Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Western Australia to and from the east coast of the United States, “said the CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker .

Miami, located on the southeastern coast of the State of Florida, is a magnet for international banks and multinational corporations especially interested in Latin America. Known for its sunny days throughout the year, Miami attracts visitors to its dynamic tourism and entertainment industries.

“International Airport Miami serves nearly 40 million passengers a year, of which approximately 20 million international voyages, “said Emilio Gonzalez, Director of Aviation Department Miami-Dade . “Joining Qatar Airways destinations in the United States will help Miami is established as an important route to the Middle East and many more destinations. wish to welcome this strategic route MIA to be the sixth destination in the United States Qatar Airways and its only service U.S. Southeast and Florida. ”

Qatar Airways has experienced rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, with a modern fleet of 129 aircraft flying to 131 key destinations and business in Europe, Middle East , Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas. In 2013, Qatar Airways launched ten destinations to date: Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf ( Iraq ), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Chicago (USA), Salalah (Oman), Basra ( Iraq ), Sulaymaniyah ( Iraq ), Chengdu ( China ), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) and more recently Taif (Saudi Arabia). In the coming weeks and months, the network will grow even more with the Clark International Airport Manila, Philippines (October 28) and Philadelphia in the United States (April 2, 2014).

Currently, Qatar Airways has reservations with a value of over U.S. $50 billion for most of its 250 aircraft, including the Boeing 787 family aircraft, 777, Airbus A350, A380 and A320. The October 30, 2013, Qatar Airways will join one overall world alliance. For more information, visit www.qatarairways.com .

(***Skytrax is the only global independent survey that monitors passenger airline standards and is considered the benchmark for excellence in the airline industry.)

Christian Siriano to Be Featured Designer at 2014 Nashville Symphony Fashion Show to Benefit the Symphony’s Educational Outreach Programs

Show-stopping Designs for Fall 2014 to Be Revealed at Schermerhorn Symphony Center

Nashville Symphony Fashion Show Co-Chairs Vicki Horne and Dara Russell have announced that Christian Siriano will be the featured designer for the 2014 Symphony Fashion Show, showcasing his Fall/Winter 2014 collection, to be held

Christina Hendricks wearing a Christian Siriano design

Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

The show is presented by Lexus and sponsored by the Nashville Symphony Orchestra League with proceeds from the event to support the Nashville Symphony’s education programs, which annually serve 100,000 schoolchildren across Middle Tennessee. Past designers for the event have included Oscar de la Renta, MARCHESA, Monique Lhuillier and Isaac Mizrahi.

Boutique partner Gus Mayer will kick off the countdown to the 2014 Symphony Fashion Show with a trunk show on November 5 and 6, 2013, featuring Siriano’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on both days, and the designer will be making a personal appearance at Gus Mayer from noon-6 p.m. on November 6. Members of the public are invited to try on Siriano’s chic designs and find the perfect ensemble for spring. A portion of all sales will be donated to the Nashville Symphony.

“We are thrilled to partner with Gus Mayer to present Christian Siriano’s trendsetting designs,” says co-chair Dara Russell. “Christian’s style is totally unique, and his collections provide a distinctive look for everyone. Anyone with an eye for style won’t want to miss it!”

Co-chair Vicki Horne adds, “It is an honor to be involved in planning this spectacular event, which brings top designers to Nashville each year. We are proud that the Symphony Fashion Show makes a significant impact on our community by providing so many young people with music education programming and opportunities.”

Siriano attended the Baltimore School for the Arts and interned with industry legends Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen. The Christian Siriano Collection debuted in 2006 and is shown each season at New York Fashion Week and presented to retailers in New York City and Paris. Known for his whimsical and show-stopping design – from fantasy evening gowns and cocktail dresses to tailored sportswear, as well as intricate shoes and accessories – the collection can be found at specialty boutiques and department stores around the globe.

In 2012, the stand-alone flagship Christian Siriano store opened in New York City and in 2013, Siriano was inducted as a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). His designs have been popular on the red carpet with Taylor Swift, Christina Hendricks and Heidi Klum

Tickets for the 2014 Symphony Fashion Show begin at $300, which includes reserved seating and an elegant cocktail buffet after the show. For more information or to request an invitation, please visit http://www.nashvillesymphony.org/fashionshow.

Art Basel Miami Beach Announces 2013 Film Program

Opening Day of Art Basel in Miami Beach (by invitation only): Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Public Show Dates: Thursday, December 5 to Sunday, December 8, 2013

From December 4 to December 8, 2013, Art Basel Miami Beach presents a premier program of films by and about artists, selected by David Gryn, Director of London’s Artprojx, and Zurich collector This Brunner. Brunner’s feature film selection is the United States premiere of ‘Nan Goldin – I Remember Your Face’ (2013) by Sabine Lidl. Gryn‘s 2013 program presents over 70 film and video works drawn from the show’s participating galleries, including works by Dara Birnbaum, Martin Creed, Rineke Dijkstra, Joan Jonas, Yinka Shonibare MBE, Mickalene Thomas and Kehinde Wiley.

MIAMI BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 09: A general view of Art Video at Art Basel Miami Beach 2012 at the Miami Beach Convention Center on December 9, 2012 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Art Basel Miami 2012)

This Brunner has over 40 years of experience in the film industry in Switzerland and abroad and is a member of the European Film Academy, the Swiss Film Academy, and a veteran observer of the world cinema and the international film festival scene. He has been the curator of Art Basel’s Film sector since 1992, and Film curator for Art Basel in Miami Beach since 2002.

David Gryn is the founder and director of London’s Artprojx, screening, curating, promoting and lecturing on artists’ moving image and other art projects, working with leading contemporary artists, art galleries, museums, art fairs, art schools and charities worldwide.

Film Night at Art Basel (Miami Beach) 2012 (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Art Basel Miami 2012)

Film Night at Art Basel (Miami Beach) 2012 (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Art Basel Miami 2012)

Film Night at Art Basel (Miami Beach) 2012 (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Art Basel Miami 2012)

Film Night at Art Basel (Miami Beach) 2012 (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Art Basel Miami 2012)

Film Night at Art Basel (Miami Beach) 2012 (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Art Basel Miami 2012)

Film Night at Art Basel (Miami Beach) 2012 (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Art Basel Miami 2012)

Film Night at Art Basel (Miami Beach) 2012 (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Art Basel Miami 2012)

MIAMI BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 09: A general view of Art Video at Art Basel Miami Beach 2012 at the Miami Beach Convention Center on December 9, 2012 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by John Parra/Getty Images for Art Basel Miami 2012)

The United States premiere of ‘Nan Goldin – I Remember Your Face’ (2013) by Sabine Lidl will be screened in the presence of Nan Goldin and Sabine Lidl, and will be followed by a Q&A with the artist and film director. Along with an exemplary insight into the seminal American photographer’s life, the film offers viewers a candid, sensitive and at times humorous perspective on contemporary culture. The feature film has been selected by This Brunner, a curator of Art Basel’s Film sector in Basel since 1992 and for the Miami Beach show since 2002. ‘Nan Goldin – I Remember Your Face’ (2013) will be shown at the Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach at 8.30 pm on Friday, December 6, 2013. Entry is free, but seating is limited.

80M2 Livia Benavides, Luz María Bedoya, Dirección, 2006, 4’48”, Courtesy the artist and the gallery

Alan Cristea Gallery, Adela Jušić, The Sniper, 2007, 4’09”, Courtesy the artist and the gallery

Alexander Gray Associates, Regina Silveira, Mil e um dias (1001 days), 2007, 11’16”, Courtesy the artist and the gallery

The third edition of David Gryn’s selection for Art Basel’s Miami Beach show, whose Lead Partner is UBS, explores the collaborative creative process via intersections between visual artists, composers, musicians, choreographers, dancers and animators. Framed within eight distinct screening programs, the program highlights an international selection of emerging and established artists. Alongside works by leading international artists such as Shezad Dawood, Rineke Dijkstra, Nathalie Djurberg, Joan Jonas, Karen Kilimnik and Shirin Neshat, highlights include the international premiere of Martin Creed‘s new film ‘Work No. 1700’ (2013), Kehinde Wiley’s ‘World Stage: Jamaica’ (2013), and a selection of works by Yinka Shonibare MBE exploring the interface between music and dance. Dara Birnbaum presents ‘Arabesque’ (2011/2013), specifically re-edited for the program. Art Basel’s Salon program will see Dara Birnbaum in conversation with David Gryn on December 6 at 1pm.

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Selected As Inaugural Genesis Prize Laureate

$1 MILLION AWARD TO BE CONTRIBUTED TO A PHILANTHROPIC CAUSE

PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL WILL PRESENT THE PRIZE AT A MAY CEREMONY IN JERUSALEM

Today, the Genesis Prize Foundation announced New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg as the recipient of the first ever Genesis Prize, which will be presented by the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, at a special ceremony in Jerusalem in May.  The announcement was made by the Speaker of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) Yuli Edelstein, who serves as the Chairman of the Prize Committee, which selected the laureate.

The Genesis Prize Foundation. (PRNewsFoto/Genesis Prize)

The Genesis Prize was established to recognize exceptional human beings who, through their outstanding achievement, come to represent a fundamental value of the Jewish people – a commitment to the betterment of mankind.

The Genesis Prize is an annual $1 million prize, which recognizes exceptional individuals whose values and achievements will inspire the next generation of Jews and presented annually by the Prime Minister of Israel to a single individual. It is administered by a unique public-private partnership, which includes the Office of the Prime Minister of the State of Israel, the Genesis Philanthropy Group, and the Office of the Chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency for Israel.

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is named the inaugural Genesis Prize Laureate.(PRNewsFoto/Genesis Prize)

The Genesis Prize laureate is selected from a list of candidates nominated by leaders of hundreds of renowned institutions and organizations worldwide, including universities, foundations, corporations and Jewish organizations. Nominees are then reviewed by the Selection Committee and the laureate is selected by the Prize Committee.

The Genesis Philanthropy Group has endowed the Genesis Prize Foundation in the amount of $100 million to fund the Prize in perpetuity. In addition to financing the annual $1 million award, the endowment will be used to support educational and cultural programs that engage young adults around the theme of the laureate’s accomplishments.

The co-founder and CEO of Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG) Stan Polovets serves as the Chairman of the Genesis Prize Foundation, and Wayne L. Firestone is its President.

The Selection Committee is chaired by Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Executive, Jewish Agency for Israel.  Selection Committee members include Lord Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi Emeritus of the UK; Harel Locker, Director General, Office of the Prime Minister of Israel; Fiamma Nirenstein Journalist and Author, Former Italian Member of Parliament and Deputy-President of the Foreign Affairs Committee; Shlomit Barnea Farago, Legal Adviser and Manager of the Legal Department, Office of the Prime Minister of Israel; Petr Aven, Co-Founder and Board member of Genesis Philanthropy Group, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Alfa Banking Group; Jack Rosen, Chief Executive Officer, Rosen Partners LLC, President of the American Jewish Congress, Chairman of the American Council for World Jewry; and  Andres Spokoiny, President and CEO of the Jewish Funders Network.

The Prize Committee is chaired by Yuli Edelstein , Speaker of Israel’s Parliament (the Knesset).  Prize Committee members include Elie Wiesel, Nobel Laureate, Professor, Boston University, President, Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity; Meir Shamgar, Justice and President Emeritus, Supreme Court of Israel; Tova Strasberg-Cohen, Justice of the Supreme Court of Israel, retired; and Jill W. Smith, President, Jewish Foundation for Education of Women.

The Advisory Board of the Genesis Philanthropy Group is chaired by Jehuda Reinharz , President Emeritus, Brandeis University, President of the Mandel Foundation. Advisory Board members include Rivka Carmi, President of Ben Gurion University of the Negev; Irwin Cotler, Member of Parliament, Canada, Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Canada; Vartan Gregorian, President of Carnegie Corporation of New York; John Sexton, President of New York University ; Allen Shapard, Head of Global Institutions Practice, IMG Worldwide, Inc., Advisor to the Nobel Foundation/Norwegian Nobel Committee; and Jonathan Fanton , President Emeritus of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, which awards the annual Genius Grants.

“I am deeply honored to be the first recipient of the Genesis Prize,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “Many years ago, my parents instilled in me Jewish values and ethics that I have carried with me throughout my life, and which have guided every aspect of my work in business, government, and philanthropy.  The Genesis Prize embraces and promotes those same values and ethics—a common thread among the Jewish people worldwide that has helped move humankind forward for centuries.”

“Mayor Michael Bloomberg sets a very high bar as the first recipient of the Genesis Prize,” said Nobel Prize laureate Elie Wiesel. “It is a great honor for the entire Jewish people to celebrate his achievements, his commitment to improving the world, and in particular his city: New York.  His pursuit of the agenda centered on health, innovation and social justice has been unwavering. We are certain that his selection as the recipient of the Genesis Prize will serve as an inspiration to young Jews and others across the globe. ”

Mayor Bloomberg will donate the $1 million prize to a philanthropic cause, which will be announced in early 2014.

“Mayor Bloomberg’s selection as the first Genesis Prize Laureate reflects his track record of outstanding public service and his role as one of the world’s greatest philanthropists,” said Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein. “As a visionary entrepreneur, he has transformed the way the world conducts business and created a more open and better informed world. Mayor Bloomberg has successfully advanced practical solutions to key global issues that range from education and public health to the environment and global innovation.  He has also been outspoken in his support of Israel and exhibits a great sense of pride in his Jewish identity and heritage.”

The Genesis Prize Foundation received more than 200 nominations, representing 6 continents. Nominations were submitted by presidents of major universities and foundations, business leaders, and heads of Jewish organizations and international NGOs.

“We aspire for the Genesis Prize to have the same level of recognition and prestige as the leading prizes of the world, such as the Nobels, the Pulitzers, and MacArthur Awards,” said Stan Polovets, co-Founder and CEO of Genesis Philanthropy Group (GPG), which has funded the $100 million endowment to finance the award in perpetuity. “With Mayor Bloomberg as our inaugural laureate, we are well on our way to achieving this objective.”

To learn more about The Genesis Prize, please visit www.facebook.com/thegenesisprize or www.genesisprize.org.

THE TWILIGHT FOREVER FAN EXPERIENCE KICKS OFF EXCLUSIVELY IN NEW YORK ON NOVEMBER 3rd & 4th

Event Celebrates The 5th Anniversary of Summit Entertainment’s Blockbuster Epic And The Eagerly Anticipated DVD And Blu-ray Box Set Release of Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga Box Set

The Two Days Of Fan Festivities Are Open To The Public Including A Complete Twilight Saga Marathon Of All 5 Films, The Unveiling Of The Twilight Movie Props Exhibit, Along With Special Appearances, Events & Giveaways

Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE® company, and Planet Hollywood International have joined together to create The Twilight Forever Fan Experience, a unique event commemorating the fifth anniversary of The Twilight Saga’s original theatrical debut and the eagerly anticipated November 5th launch of Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga Box Set on Blu-ray and DVD. The festivities will kick off Sunday, November 3rd with a two-day celebration featuring exclusive events for fans in New York City. Attendance is open to the public on a first come, first served basis. RSVP details will be available at https://www.facebook.com/twilight and http://www.twitter.com/twilight.

Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga Box Set on Blu-ray

Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga encompasses all five films, over 2 hours of brand new exclusive content and over 10 hours of every special feature ever created for the multi-billion dollar franchise. The ultimate collector’s box set, this is an immersive experience for every Twilight fan to recapture and relive the most epic romance of the century. Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga is available as a 10-disc Blu-ray (plus Digital HD UltraViolet) set for the suggested retail price of $74.99, and as a 12-disc DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet) set for $64.98, both debuting November 5, 2013 from Summit Entertainment.

The Twilight Forever Fan Experience begins with a marathon screening of all five films in Summit’s Twilight Saga franchise, including the extended version of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 which will screen theatrically for the first time ever. The event starts at 9:00 a.m. on November 3rd at New York’s Regal E-Walk Stadium 13 Cineplex (247 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036), and also features special appearances (to be announced), exclusive prizes and giveaways.

Twilight Forever: The Complete Saga Box Set on DVD

On Monday, November 4th, Planet Hollywood Times Square (1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036) will host an exclusive fan celebration to unveil its new Twilight Forever Fan Experience exhibit, where props from all of the films–including Bella’s wedding dress, Edward’s tuxedo and Jacob’s motorcycle–will be on display to the public. The evening event encompasses musical performances and special guest appearances (to be announced), fan contests (to be announced), photo opportunities and exclusive prizes and giveaways.

THE TWILIGHT FOREVER FAN EXPERIENCE KICKS OFF EXCLUSIVELY IN NEW YORK ON NOVEMBER 3rd & 4th. (PRNewsFoto/Summit Entertainment, a LIONSGATE(R) company)

Below is the timeline of The Twilight Forever Fan Experience (times and events subject to change):

Sunday, November 3 – Twilight Forever Fan Experience Marathon

Location:                              Regal E-Walk Stadium 13

Cineplex, 247 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036

Time:                                     9:00 AM

Films include:                       Twilight (122 minutes)

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (130 minutes)

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (124 minutes)

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 Extended Edition (124 minutes)

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (115 minutes)

Monday, November 4 – Twilight Forever Fan Experience Exhibit Launch

Location:                              Planet Hollywood, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036

Time:                                     6:00 PM

Appearances & Events:                     TBA

The action-packed, modern day vampire love story Twilight, the first film in the series, was released in theatres on November 21, 2008 to a blockbuster reception. The second installment of the film franchise, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, was released November 20, 2009, followed by the third installment The Twilight Saga: Eclipse on June 30, 2010. The final two installments, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Parts 1 & 2, were released on November 18, 2011 and November 16, 2012 respectively.  All films, which together grossed more than $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office, were written by Melissa Rosenberg based on the novels in author Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight” series.

Stylewhile and Saks Fifth Avenue partner to launch innovative iPad App allowing users of various sizes to fit clothing to their body type before purchase

Stylewhile (www.stylewhile.com) is pleased to announce its partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue on the launch of a new iPad App set to change the face of online shopping by allowing users to fit clothing to their specific body type before their online purchase.

It is estimated that in the near future 25% of all retail shopping will move online, and the value of online shopping in the United States alone will reach an estimated $26 billion by 2015. Stylewhile is in the unique position to assemble product imagery from online stores and fit them on a model of a chosen body type to determine what will look best on the consumer. The company is anticipating this move by creating an entirely new way for customers to interact with online stores, offering a highly personalized experience that allows and encourages creativity, while also ensuring that consumers are buying the right clothes for their personality and body type. Not only can users virtually ‘try on’ clothes, but they can also use the App to select various items from retailers to create and style complete looks with the touch of a button. The innovative service will allow shoppers to enjoy the benefit of being able to mix and match multiple items and multiple brands to create their ideal outfit, perfectly suited to their body type.

Says Stylewhile Founder/CEO Jutta Haaramo of the partnership, “We’re delighted to partner with Saks Fifth Avenue on the launch of Stylewhile, and to offer them full exclusivity at launch. Both Stylewhile and Saks Fifth Avenue customers are women who love fashion and trying out new things. This new App will make their online shopping easier and more fun.”

At present, Stylewhile will focus fully on the iPad App, though going forward the company may look to expand into a web/Android version. “We want to build Stylewhile together with our users to make it something they love to utilize, so we are constantly analyzing their feedback,” says Haaramo. “Our dream is to build an App that helps women to find and buy the right items so that there would be a lot less of those ‘I have nothing to wear’ moments or ‘this looks different in person than it did online’!”

A wide range of international brands will be available at launch, including Diane von Furstenberg, J Brand and Vince. Saks Fifth Avenue will have full exclusivity for one month at launch, and will then have six months of exclusivity as the only luxury multi-brand retailer, though additional e-retailers will be included during this period. Shoes and accessories will be added to the App in early-November. Stylewhile is available in the App Store for iPads operating with iOS 6/7 and is free to download. For more information please visit www.stylewhile.com.