Fall/Winter 2014 London Fashion Week Commences

London Fashion Week, 14-18 February is set to showcase some of the world’s leading fashion talent. Set over five days, the schedule is packed with shows, presentations, installations, showrooms, events and parties from the best and brightest names in the industry. As well as the trade events, there are more ways for the public to enjoy the London Fashion Week experience with live streaming, social media and a line-up of events and exhibitions around town.

At a press conference to open London Fashion Week Natalie Massenet, Chairman of the British Fashion Council, announced updated figures showing substantial growth in the UK fashion industry over the past five years.

• The direct value of the UK fashion industry to the UK economy is £26 billion; up from £21 billion in 2009. Showing an increase of 22% in nominal terms (source: Oxford Economics 2014)
• The UK fashion industry is estimated to support 797,000 jobs (source: Oxford Economics 2014). This is a decrease of 2.3% from 2009
• Whilst employment figures have dropped overall the increased contribution to UK GVA reflects higher productivity within the fashion sector. The British Fashion Council is committed to supporting growth in the sector which it hopes will lead to more employment opportunities
• Fashion’s total contribution to the economy via both indirect support for supply chain industries and induced spending of employee’s wage income is estimated to have risen to over £46 billion. An increase of 23% since 2009 (source: Oxford Economics 2014)

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘These latest figures are clear evidence of the hugely important contribution that fashion makes to our economy. It is a dynamic industry whose value is increasing thanks to the dazzling creativity of our designers, the brilliant colleges that bring up the next waves of talent and a fast moving retail sector, which covers the spectrum of great style from bespoke to high street. My office will continue to work with the British Fashion Council to ensure that London remains on the front row in the international fashion stakes.’

George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer said: ‘London is about to host one of the central events in the fashion calendar, but more importantly it is about to showcase the world class talent we have in our fashion industry. It is testament to the designers, large and small, of the United Kingdom, and to all those who work in the wider retail industry.’ 

Sam Moore, COO, Oxford Economics, added “Our research underlines the continued and growing importance of the fashion industry’s contribution to the UK economy. Despite, the severe economic headwinds that have confronted British industries since 2009, the growth of the fashion industry is a testament to the popularity of the UK’s fashion industry.”

‘I wish all those involved a successful London fashion week, and hope that it generates more opportunities for some of our most promising creative talents. A successful fashion industry means more jobs for the people of this country and that in turn means economic security for families in Britain’

This February will shine the spotlight on London’s creative industries as London Fashion Week, the BAFTA Film Awards and the Brit Awards all set to showcase the very best of each industry’s outstanding talents in the space of just six days. The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said, “London Fashion Week is a fabulous showcase of what makes London one of the most exciting and dynamic cities on earth – its creativity. With the BAFTAs and the Brits taking place at the same time, let’s celebrate the great British talent that is acclaimed around the world.”

TONI&GUY® Hair Meet Wardrobe(TM) Announces Partnership With Marchesa

TONI&GUY® HAIR MEET WARDROBE(TM) – THE STYLING FORCE BEHIND THE HAIR FASHION LOOK AT MARCHESA THIS FASHION WEEK

In celebration of its national US launch, TONI&GUY® Hair Meet Wardrobe(TM) is pleased to announce its partnership with esteemed fashion house, Marchesa, as the brand marks its 10th anniversary.  Marchesa, founded by British-born talent Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, will embark on a collaboration with TONI&GUY® Hair Meet Wardrobe(TM) forged on a like-minded philosophy that hair and wardrobe come together to complete a look.

TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe | Marchesa AW14 | Hair by Mark Hampton. (PRNewsFoto/TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe)

Commencing their relationship at the Marchesa Fall/Winter 2014 runway show during Fashion Week in New York, TONI&GUY® Hair Meet Wardrobe(TM) styled the hair that graced the catwalk at the iconic New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue.  The hair designs were led by TONI&GUY® Hair Meet Wardrobe(TM) Global Ambassador Mark Hampton, who worked with the Marchesa design duo to create signature looks inspired by the idea of a tribal, Scottish woman with rebellious and modern hair.  The runway show was enhanced by the enviable hairstyles, marking new trends for the AW14 season.  “I love collaborating with designers to create a head-to-toe look that is not only beautiful, but also portrays the story that inspired the collection.  Working on behalf of TONI&GUY® Hair Meet Wardrobe(TM) and with Marchesa has been amazing. I’m proud of the hair we created for this show and honored to be working with such incredible designers,” said Hampton.

British born Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig have built a fashion empire defined by elegant eveningwear and one of a kind couture designs. The duo met at Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. Georgina’s draping and design expertise paired with Keren’s textile creations resulted in a business partnership and the establishment of Marchesa in 2004. With the extravagant and eccentric fashion icon and Italian heiress the Marchesa Luisa de Casati as their muse, Georgina and Keren’s beautifully crafted runway collections and accessories line fuse exquisite detailing with supreme femininity. Coveted not only by celebrities, but by women of all ages, Marchesa continues to be the centerpiece of iconic red carpet moments and high-end fashion alike. Based in New York, the Marchesa collections are presently available worldwide.

ELAINE STRITCH JOINS THE TWITTERVERSE

The time that the Internet has been waiting for has finally arrived: Elaine Stritch now has a verified Twitter account. At 89, Stritch proves it’s never too late to get on the social media train.

Follow Elaine at @ElaineStritch and visit her Twitter page at twitter.com/elainestritch. Her inaugural tweet reads: “Hello Twitter! Hold on to your hats. I’m ready to tweet everything from anywhere to anyone who gives a damn!”

About finally getting her own Twitter handle, Stritch says, “Once someone explained to me what Twitter is, I was happy to be a Twittee. How nice to be able to share my experiences.”

Twitter’s Lara Cohen is “thrilled to have her,” and the entire Twitter team is eager to welcome her to the Twitterverse.

Stritch joining Twitter is happening in concert with Sundance Selects’ February 21st release of Chiemi Karasawa’s documentary ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME. Stritch will be tweeting all throughout her NYC press tour for the film, as graces all with her irreverent wit and brassy candor. With her countless celebrity friends and wide breadth of press she’ll be doing, the potential humor she is about to unleash on Twitter is seemingly limitless.

ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME showcases the uncompromising Tony and Emmy Award-winner is showcased both on and off stage via rare archival footage and intimate cinema vérité. By turns bold, hilarious and moving, the film’s journey connects Stritch’s present to her past. The film also features appearances from Stritch’s famous friends, including Hal Prince, George C. Wolfe, Nathan Lane, Cherry Jones, Tina Fey, James Gandolfini and John Turturro. The film is Executive Produced by Alec Baldwin and Cheryl Wiesenfeld and produced by Elizabeth Hemmerdinger and Chiemi Karasawa.

Watch the trailer to ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME here

JENNIFER LAWRENCE TO PRESENT AT THE OSCARS®

Oscar® winner Jennifer Lawrence will return to present at this year’s Oscars, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar®-nominee for Actress in a Leading Role, arrives for The Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA February 24, 2013.

Lawrence took home the Oscar for her lead performance in “Silver Linings Playbook.” She is nominated this year for her supporting role in “American Hustle.” Previously Lawrence was nominated for her leading role in “Winter’s Bone.” Her other credits include “X-Men: First Class” and “The Hunger Games” series.

New Alberto VO5® Men’s 3-in-1 Brings 5 Essential Vitamin Formula To Convenience-Craving Men

Now men have their own personal reasons to love the legendary Alberto VO5® brand, with the introduction of VO5 Men’s 3-in-One, combining VO5 shampoo, conditioner and body wash in just one, no-clutter, out-of-the-shower-quick bottle.  Five essential vitamin-enriched VO5Men’s 3-in-1 provides convenience while delivering the outstanding performance and value that the iconic, born-in-Hollywood brand has long provided smarter shoppers.

VO5 Men’s 3-in-1 represents another first, in extending the brand’s proprietary five-essential-vitamin formula beyond hair care to body care.  Available in masculine scents such as Ocean Surge and Fresh Energy, VO5 Men’s 3-in-1 offers guys a clean feeling from head-to-toe.  And with a suggested retail price of 99 cents for 12.5 fluid ounces, men’s morning routines just got simpler and more affordable.

“Consumers love the superior performance and value that VO5 hair care products deliver, and we saw an opportunity to extend VO5’s secret five-vitamin formula to the male segment,” said Nina Riley, VP Marketing at High Ridge Brands, owner of Alberto VO5. “VO5’s Men’s 3-in-1 is a phenomenal product that satisfies men’s need for a time-saving, head-to-toe shower experience.”

VO5 Men’s 3-in-1 products are now available nationwide.  For more information on Alberto VO5, please visit www.vo5haircare.com.

DL1961 Premium Denim Launches Spring/Summer 2014 Campaign

Company Introduces Instasculpt Jean for Women and Performance Denim for Men

DL1961 Premium Denim has released its Spring/Summer 2014 marketing campaign. Shot on the beaches surrounding New York City by fashion photographer, Boo George, the campaign, featuring models Josephine Skriver and Roch Barbot, highlights the easy, light summer feel the Spring/Summer collection encompasses. From sea to shore, the campaign pays homage to the long, lazy days of New York summer, spent on the beaches of Montauk and the rooftops of New York City.

DL1961 Premium Denim Launches Spring/summer 2014 Campaign & New Instasculpt Fit. (PRNewsFoto/DL1961 Premium Denim)

DL1961’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection is designed using the most technologically-advanced, lightweight denim fabrics with immaculate cut and sew detailing. In addition to the brand’s existing revolutionary DLX and dlpro technologies comes DLX Hybrid, a special formula using XFIT Lycra and cotton fibers to achieve a more worn-in look. The fabric has an incredibly soft feel and is available in a wide variety of vintage washes and cuts including the standout Riley boyfriend jean.

For women, DL1961 launches Instasculpt, a revolutionary fit that will micro sculpt your legs, butt and mid-section. This style, priced at $178, has a higher rise and longer inseam to create the sleek and lean look that every woman desires.

Styled throughout the campaign is new novelty denim for women including the Angel eyelet skinny jean ($244), Emma legging fit in new camouflage and floral prints, Angie cargo jean with key pocket placement for slimming effects ($178) and Bardot ultra high-rise crop with scalloped hem,available in multiple washes ($168). This season, DL1961 expands its shorts offering, introducing the roll-up Karlie boyfriend short ($103) and scalloped Casey dolphin short ($138). DL1961 also continues its ready-to-wear collection with a wide range of quilted, pleated denim tanks, a selection of denim jackets and chambray dresses.

For men, DL1961 introduces Performance Denim, advancing the four-way stretch for added comfort, style and 360 degree movement for those with more active lifestyles. Key styles include the Russell slim straight jean ($168), Mason slouchy slim jean ($168) and the Nick slim fit ($168), all available in a variety of washes. DL1961 also introduces a collection of chambray shirts for men.

“As a brand that calls New York home, we love to capture the lifestyle and essence of those who wear DL1961 in their everyday lives – including summertime when denim is more uncommon,” stated Sarah Ahmed, DL1961’s Creative Director. “For Spring/Summer the collection embodies the effortless spirit and simplicity of summer through our innovative technologies that keep you cool and comfortable.”

DL1961 is available online at www.DL1961.com and at specialty stores worldwide, including Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. Prices range from $158-$188 for women’s and men’s core styles and $178-$248 for novelty pieces. In conjunction with the campaign, which will kick off with advertising in March magazines including ELLE and People StyleWatch, as well as taxi tops, subway stations and billboards around Manhattan, the brand unveils an updated website look to help you discover your perfect fit.

The Hollywood Museum Premieres “Celebration of Entertainment Awards Exhibit” February 20 through April 30

Showcasing the Best Motion Picture and Television Award Contenders

As awards season goes into high gear, The Hollywood Museum is debuting a new exhibit showcasing the Best Motion Picture and Television Award contenders. Celebrating the 2013 awards season, the exhibit honors the magic of movies and television in a unique showcase featuring costumes and props from the year’s most popular and critically acclaimed films and television series.

Hollywood Museum. (PRNewsFoto/The Hollywood Museum)

The exhibit runs from February 20 through April 30 at The Hollywood Museum in the Historic Max Factor Building, right across the street from where the Academy Awards® will be held on March 2. The Hollywood Reporter is sponsoring the exhibit.

Curated pieces from motion picture award winners and nominees include Nebraska, Captain Phillips, Her, The Grandmaster, Star Trek Into Darkness, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Fruitvale Station aswell as fan favorites Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, The Conjuring and Ender’s Game.

Hollywood Museum. (PRNewsFoto/The Hollywood Museum)

Award winning and popular TV shows on display include Breaking Bad, Boardwalk Empire, Scandal, Homeland, Mad Men, The Newsroom, Nurse Jackie, Modern Family, Grey’s Anatomy, Once Upon a Time,and Dancing with the Stars.

“The Hollywood Museum has always been a showcase reflecting Hollywood’s history, and this new exhibit is the perfect stage to incorporate pop culture by spotlighting the current Hollywood award season,” says museum President and Founder Donelle Dadigan. “It is a tribute to each studio and Guilds that contributed to this year’s Oscars®, Golden Globes®, Emmys® and guild and critics’ awards.”

Also part of the exhibit are award statuettes from the Oscars®, Golden Globes®, Emmys®, Screen Actor Guild Awards®, Art Directors Guild and People’s Choice Awards®.

The Hollywood Museum gratefully acknowledges the contributions for “Celebration of Entertainment Awards” Exhibit from ABC, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, AMC, Annapurna Pictures, BBC Worldwide Productions, Block 2 Distributions Limited, Bootleg Productions, CBS, DWTS Productions, HBO, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Independent Spirit Awards, Lionsgate, Newline Cinema, Nurse Productions, Paramount Pictures, People’s Choice Awards, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Showtime, Significant Productions, Sony Pictures Studios, Sony Archives and Collections, Sony Pictures Television, Summit Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Television, UROK Productions, Warner Bros. and The Weinstein Company.

Yvolution™ Unveils EXY Extreme Yvolution Series, the Next Level of Wheeled Excitement at The 2014 American International Toy Fair

From the Makers of the Innovative Y Fliker™ and Y Glider™ Series Comes the EXY Trickstartr Scooter and EXY Sharker Skateboard

Now Available Exclusively at Toys”R”Us® Stores Nationwide and Online at http://www.Toysrus.com/Yvolution

 Yvolution started a scooter revolution with the introduction of its innovative Y Fliker™ and Y Glider™ series, including the Y Fliker Carver, a 2013 hot holiday toy, and the Y Glider 3 in 1, a finalist in the prestigious 2014 Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY) in the Outdoor Toy of the Year category.  The “Yvolution” in scooting will continue at the 2014 American International Toy Fair, where the company will launch its new EXY Extreme Yvolution series.  Offering kids a more extreme ride, the first two products in the line include the EXY Trickstartr, an entry-level stunt scooter with an innovative wheelie system and the EXY Sharker, a three-wheeled skateboard made for urban street surfing.

EXY Trickstartr, part of the new EXY Extreme Yvolution series, is a stunt scooter for beginner riders who want to learn how to master basic tricks. It features a slick matte black/vibrant color design and comes with a special patent-pending device that allows riders to do a manual (wheelie). (PRNewsFoto/Yvolution)

EXY Trickstartr is a stunt scooter for beginner riders who want to learn how to master basic tricks.  It features a slick matte black/vibrant color design and comes with a special patent-pending device that allows riders to do a manual (wheelie). Trickstartr offers kids four ways to ride: 1) The Easy Way, 2) The Hard Way, 3) The Expert Way, and 4) The Pro Way.  Once the stunt is mastered, the detachable device can be removed to improve speed and agility. The Trickstartr will be featured in a national TV campaign this spring.

EXY Sharker, part of the new EXY Extreme Yvolution series, is a revolutionary three-wheeled skateboard with a modern surf board design that takes the experience and thrill of surfing and snowboarding to the pavement. It is half caster board and half skateboard, with a front 360 degree caster wheel and traditional skateboard trucks in the back to offer extreme movement. Riders twist back and forth to get started, self-propel, carve and pump. (PRNewsFoto/Yvolution)

The EXY Sharker is a revolutionary three-wheeled skateboard with a modern surf board design that takes the experience and thrill of surfing and snowboarding to the pavement.  It is half caster board and half skateboard, with a front 360 degree caster wheel and traditional skateboard trucks in the back to offer extreme movement.  Riders twist back and forth to get started, self-propel, carve and pump.  The quicker they pump the nose, the faster they’ll go.  Sharker‘s unique pivot drive action allows riders to gain speed and perform more advanced tricks than with a traditional skateboard, including grinding, carving downhill and riding uphill.  It features a patented super strong ABS Tri-core grip deck and PU wheels with durable ABEC 7 bearings for a fast, smooth ride.   

8th Annual Festival of the Arts Boca Opens March 6-15

The Schmidt Family Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park, a non-profit organization will present its eighth annual Festival of the Arts BOCA (http://www.festivalboca.com) March 6-15, 2014. Considered by critics to be “an important and impressive addition to the artistic landscape” – the Festival, held in Boca Raton, Florida, will continue to feature the finest in classical music, jazz, dance, film and authors. The Schmidt Family Centre for the Arts will once again collaborate with IMG Artists, a leader in worldwide cultural arts management, to align an impressive list of international artists.

Anna Deavere Smith, award winning actress currently starring in Nurse Jackie, author and creator of a new form of theater will bring to the Festival the same creativity she has brought to the Aspen Institute and many other venues. (PRNewsFoto/Festival of the Arts Boca)

Arturo Sandoval

Barbara Schmidt

Doris Kearns Goodwin

Festival Music Director Constantine Kitsopoulos

Forte

Itzhak Perlman

Itzhak Perlman with Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot

James Fallows

Violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman will open the Festival on Thursday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. accompanied by Festival Orchestra Boca under the direction of Festival Music Director Constantine Kitsopoulos. Perlman will return to the Festival stage on Sunday, March 9 at 7 p.m. for the Florida premiere of his new program of traditional Jewish and Klezmer music with celebrated Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot, Eternal Echoes: Songs and Dances for the Soul.

Dance will be brought back to the Festival this season with one of America’s leading dance troupes, the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company.

The blazing, technically flawless Cuban-born trumpeter, Arturo Sandoval will return to the Festival stage in 2014 in a tribute concert to his mentor, Dizzie Gillespie, with special guest Monica Mancini and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra.

Cirque de la Symphonie will delight the whole family, combining the best elements of cirque and symphonic music, with some of the most amazing veterans of today’s cirque programs.

The Festival of the Arts Boca will close in spectacular fashion with the Florida premiere of today’s newest and most exciting singing group, the multicultural, operatic tenor trio Forte whose performances on America’s Got Talent captivated millions and launched the group into the national spotlight.

Headlining this season’s Authors & Ideas Program is Doris Kearns Goodwin , acclaimed presidential historian, who is returning to the Festival for the fourth time to speak about Theodore Roosevelt and her new book The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism. Goodwin will be joined by Anna Deavere Smith, award winning actress currently starring in Nurse Jackie, author and creator of a new form of theater will bring to the Festival the same creativity she has brought to the Aspen Institute and many other venues; James Fallows , award winning national correspondent for the Atlantic, author of 10 books, most recently China Airborne: the Test of China’s Future; Dr. Daniel Levitin, best-selling author of This Is Your Brain On Music and The World in Six Songs ; Barbara Schmidt , businesswoman, philanthropist and spiritual teacher, will discuss Vicktor Frankl’s “Man Searching for Meaning‘: and, Geraldine Brooks, Pulitzer Prize winning author of March and other books, including most recently Caleb’s Crossing and People of the Book will lend a different perspective to the Festival.

Americans Sweep First-Ever Olympic Freestyle Skiing Slopestyle Competition, Will Be Featured On Special-Edition Boxes Of Kellogg’s® Corn Flakes®

Freeskiers Joss Christensen, Gus Kenworthy and Nick Goepper of Team USA(TM) Show How From Great Starts Come Great Things®

To celebrate the historic podium sweep for Team USA(TM) at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games in the first-ever Olympic freestyle skiing slopestyle competition, Kellogg’s® announced today that the medal winners will be featured on special-edition boxes of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes®. Freeskiers Joss Christensen, Gus Kenworthy and Nick Goepper will be pictured on the limited-edition box, after finishing in first, second and third respectively.

To celebrate the historic podium sweep for Team USA(TM) at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games in the first-ever Olympic freestyle skiing slopestyle competition, the medal winners will be featured on special-edition boxes of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes(R). Freeskiers Joss Christensen, Gus Kenworthy and Nick Goepper will be pictured on the limited-edition Kellogg’s box. (PRNewsFoto/Kellogg Company)

“After Joss, Gus and Nick’s remarkable performance in the first-ever freestyle skiing slopestyle competition, it’s evident that their great starts in the sport have truly led to great things,” said Noel Geoffroy, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Innovation for Kellogg’s U.S. Morning Foods. “We’re excited to continue our time-honored tradition of celebrating America’s Olympic champions on Kellogg’s cereal boxes by bringing their historic image to the breakfast table.”

“I’m so thrilled that I was able to go out there and win the first-ever gold medal in Olympic men’s freeskiing slopestyle,” said Christensen. “Kellogg’s has helped me start off my day since I was a kid, so it’s awesome to be featured on the box of one of my favorite cereals.  I definitely wouldn’t have gotten to such an amazing finish without lots of great starts.”

“Being up there on the medal podium along with Joss and Nick was an unbelievable feeling – we’re all excited to be representing our country and our sport at the Sochi Games,” said Kenworthy. “Our Kellogg’s box is a great reminder of how our great starts together helped us reach our full potential. The fact that we were able to achieve this in the first slopestyle competition at the Games makes it even better.”

“This is a huge moment for Team USA,” said Goepper. “To be featured on a Corn Flakes box with my teammates is just amazing – it’s something you dream about as a kid at the breakfast table.”

With only 1,000 featured boxes being produced, this collectible item will be available beginning Feb. 24 for a limited time, for members of the Kellogg’s Family Rewards program exclusively. Fans can visit KelloggsFamilyRewards.com for information about how to become a member and redeem Kellogg’s product codes for their very own collectible box while supplies last.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to Host Oscar® Concert Celebrating Nominated Scores And Songs

KAREN O TO PERFORM “THE MOON SONG” ON THE OSCARS®

U2 TO PERFORM “ORDINARY LOVE” ON THE OSCARS®

For the first time as part of its annual Oscar Week events, the Academy will present a live “Oscar Concert” celebrating this year’s nominated scores and songs on Thursday, February 27, at 8 p.m. at UCLA’s Royce Hall.

The program features an 80-piece orchestra performing suites from each of the nominated original scores, conducted by their composers. They include:

William Butler and Owen Pallett, “Her”
Alexandre Desplat, “Philomena”
Thomas Newman, “Saving Mr. Banks”
Steven Price, “Gravity”
John Williams, “The Book Thief”

Prior to each piece, the respective composers will participate in a brief onstage conversation with film critic and radio host Elvis Mitchell about creating their scores.

The concert also will feature this year’s nominated original songs, including “Let It Go” from “Frozen,” performed byKristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and “Happy” from “Despicable Me 2,” performed by Jill Scott.  Other special performers and guests will be announced on www.oscars.org.

Tickets are $100 and $75 and can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Singer-songwriter Karen O will, for the first time, perform Oscar®-nominated “The Moon Song” for a global television audience on the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.

Singer-songwriter Karen O will, for the first time, perform the Oscar®-nominated original song “The Moon Song” for a global television audience on the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

“The Moon Song,” with music by Karen O and lyric by Karen O and Spike Jonze, was written for the film “Her,” directed by Jonze. The three other nominated songs are “Happy” from “Despicable Me 2,” “Let It Go” from “Frozen” and “Ordinary Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”

Karen O is the lead singer of the band Yeah Yeah Yeahs, which has released four albums, three of which have been nominated for Grammy Awards®. She previously co-wrote original songs for the soundtrack of Jonze’s 2009 film “Where the Wild Things Are,” receiving a Grammy nomination for the featured song “All Is Love.” Karen O has performed on numerous other soundtracks,

U2

including those for “Frankenweenie” “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and “I’m Not There”.

U2 will perform their Oscar®-nominated song, “Ordinary Love” for a global audience at the Oscars®, show producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. U2’s exclusive Oscar show performance will be the first time the band will perform the song live. The Oscars, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, will air on Sunday, March 2, live on ABC.

“Ordinary Love” was written by the group for “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and is nominated for Original Song. The three other nominated songs are “Happy” from “Despicable Me 2,” “Let It Go” from “Frozen” and “The Moon Song” from “Her.”

U2 has sold more than 150 million records worldwide since its formation in 1976. The group has won 22 Grammy® Awards—more than any other band—and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, its first year of eligibility. The band’s 110-show, 26-month U2360° tour, which ended in July 2011, played to over 7 million fans in 30 countries on 5 continents and was the highest-grossing concert tour of all time. The band is currently in the studio working on a new album.

NINA AGDAL, LILY ALDRIDGE AND CHRISSY TEIGEN GRACE THE HISTORIC COVER OF SPORTS ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

The highly anticipated 50th Anniversary Sports Illustrated Swimsuit  Issue both celebrates history and makes it as Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge nd Chrissy Teigen appear on the 2014 cover; the first cover appearance for all three. They join the ranks of iconic models including Kathy Ireland, Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Cheryl Tiegs and Christie Brinkley, who have graced an SI Swimsuit (@SI_Swimsuit) cover. The 50th Sports Illustrated Swimsuit goes live across the Web, mobile, tablet and newsstands on February 18th.

Nina Agdal, Lily Aldridge and Chrissy Teigen are the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2014 Cover Models. The 50th Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition goes live across the web, mobile, tablet on Feb 18. Photo Credit: James Macari for Sports Illustrated*

The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (www.SI.com/Swimsuit) franchise reaches more than 62 million people annually, and more men 18 to 34 than the Super Bowl. The iconic franchise now spans more than 20 product extensions in digital social, broadcast, publishing, mobile and consumer products, along with supporting a vibrant experiential marketing business. Since debuting in 1964 Swimsuit has become a pop-culture phenomenon and an established launching pad for successful careers in TV, fashion, business and film including. All of Swimsuit’s product extensions are built upon a heritage of amazing photography and footage of gorgeous models and athletes from the most exotic locations in the world.

Said Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Editor MJ Day: “The 2014 cover embodies the essence of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. It is presented from a unique perspective, with a lighthearted spirit and breathtaking setting that lets the imagination run wild. This is what Swimsuit does best and we’re thrilled to see it captured in such a memorable image.”

Agdal, a 21-year-old Hilleroed, Denmark, native, first appeared in the issue in 2012 on the beaches of the Seychelles and then traveled to Hayman Island, Australia and the Bahamas (bodypainting) for her second appearance in 2013. Aldridge, the first rookie to be on the cover since Heidi Klum (’98), brings a sultry California-girl look and a fresh face to the franchise. Teigen, one of the most popular models Sports Illustrated has ever seen, makes her fifth appearance (2010, ‘11, ‘12, and ‘13) in the issue. The 28-year-old Delta, Utah, bombshell has added to the illustrious legacy of the Swimsuit Issue over the last five years in shoots at exotic locations, such as the Maldives, Philippines, Seychelles, Easter Island Chili, Bahamas (bodypainting), and now Aitutaki, Cook Islands.

Says Day: “These are three very different models who together represent all that Swimsuit has become and will continue be: fresh, exciting, surprising and sexy. Lilly is a fashion industry star who is going to thrill an entirely new audience and she makes history by becoming the first rookie to grace our cover since Heidi Klum. Chrissy is glamorous, dynamic and a cultural phenomenon. And Nina is a bombshell. We knew she was going to be a star from the day we met her.”

Says Agdal: “I’m speechless… This has been my goal. I couldn’t be happier to be on this year’s cover. It’s absolutely amazing!”

Says Aldridge: “I am so incredibly honored to be part of this issue. As my first time ever shooting with Sports Illustrated I never imagined I would be on the cover.”

Says Teigen: “I am so thrilled and honored to not only be on the cover but to be on the 50th Anniversary cover.”

Photographed by James Macari for Sports Illustrated, this is the first ensemble cover since 2006, which featured Veronica Varekova, Elle Macpherson, Rebecca Romijn, Rachel Hunter, Daniela Pestova, Elsa Benitez, Carolyn Murphy and Yamila Diaz-Rahi and the fifth cover to feature multiple models (’06, ’96, ’94, ’76).