‘Chapter and Verse,’ the Companion Album to Bruce Springsteen’s Forthcoming Autobiography, to be Released September 23

Album Includes 5 Unreleased Tracks

Springsteen’s gripping 500-page autobiography, ‘Born to Run,‘ will be released internationally Sept. 27, published in hardcover, e-book, and audio editions by Simon & Schuster in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India, as well as other publishers around the world. Springsteen has been privately writing the autobiography over the past seven years. He began working on the book in 2009, after performing with the E Street Band at the Super Bowl’s halftime show. (‘Born To Run‘ is available for pre-order here: http://smarturl.it/borntorunbook.)

‘Chapter and Verse,’ the audio companion will be released Sept. 23 on Columbia Records. Five of the album’s 18 tracks have not been previously released.

‘Chapter and Verse,’ the Companion Album to Bruce Springsteen’s Autobiography, to be Released September 23; Includes 5 Unreleased Tracks (PRNewsFoto/Columbia Records)

Springsteen selected the songs on ‘Chapter and Verse‘ to reflect the themes and sections of ‘Born to Run.’ The compilation begins with two tracks from The Castiles, featuring a teenaged Springsteen on guitar and vocals, and ends with the title track from 2012’s ‘Wrecking Ball.’ The collected songs trace Springsteen’s musical history from its earliest days, telling a story that parallels the one in the book.

Recordings from Steel Mill and The Bruce Springsteen Band feature musicians who would go on to play in The E Street Band. Solo demos of “Henry Boy” and “Growin’ Up” were cut in 1972 shortly before Springsteen began recording his debut album, ‘Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.’

View filmmaker Thom Zinny’s trailer for ‘Chapter and Verse’ here: http://smarturl.it/ChapterVerseTrailer

‘Chapter and Verse’ Song Titles:

1. Baby I — The Castiles (recorded May 2, 1966, at Mr. Music, Bricktown, NJ; written by Bruce Springsteen and George Theiss; previously unreleased)

2. You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover — The Castiles (recorded Sept. 16, 1967, at The Left Foot, Freehold, NJ; written by Willie Dixon; previously unreleased)

3. He’s Guilty (The Judge Song) — Steel Mill (recorded Feb. 22, 1970, at Pacific Recording Studio, San Mateo, CA; previously unreleased)

4. Ballad of Jesse James — The Bruce Springsteen Band (recorded March 14, 1972, at Challenger Eastern Surfboards, Highland, NJ; previously unreleased)

5. Henry Boy (recorded June 1972, at Mediasound Studios, New York, NY; previously unreleased)

6. Growin’ Up (recorded May 3, 1972, at Columbia Records Recordings Studios, New York, NY; previously appeared on ‘Tracks’)

7. 4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) (1973, ‘The Wild, The Innocent & the E Street Shuffle’)

8. Born to Run (1975, ‘Born to Run’)

9. Badlands (1977, ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town’)

10. The River (1980, ‘The River’)

11. My Father’s House (1982, ‘Nebraska’)

12. Born in the U.S.A. (1984, ‘Born in the U.S.A.’)

13. Brilliant Disguise (1987, ‘Tunnel of Love’)

14. Living Proof (1992, ‘Lucky Town’)

15. The Ghost of Tom Joad (1995, ‘The Ghost of Tom Joad’)

16. The Rising (2002, ‘The Rising’)

17. Long Time Comin’ (2005, ‘Devils & Dust’)

18. Wrecking Ball (2012, ‘Wrecking Ball’)

All songs written and performed by Bruce Springsteen except as noted.

‘Chapter and Verse‘ will be available as a single CD and double LP, as well as via digital download and streaming. The package will include lyrics and rare photos.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band are currently on tour in Europe and will return to the U.S. for a string of dates beginning Aug. 23 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, and ending Sept. 14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA.

Legendary Michael Jackson HIStory Statue Unveiled at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, July 28

Photos by Credit: Erik Kabik /erikkabik.com

On Thursday, July 28, the Estate of Michael Jackson teamed up with Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil and Mandalay Bay to pay tribute to the King of Pop as they unveiled his iconic HIStory Statue. Featured on the cover of his world-famous album HIStory: Past, Present and Future Book 1, which became the best selling multiple disc album worldwide, the HIStory Statue is the third piece of memorabilia to be loaned by the Estate for display on the Mandalay Bay property.

MJ ONE Cast Members Welcome Michael Jackson HIStory Statue

The highly anticipated unveiling ceremony took place in the Main Lobby of Mandalay Bay, where fans had the opportunity to witness the live reveal of this historic sculpture. To welcome the piece, members from the cast of Michael Jackson ONE delivered a never-before-seen performance created especially for this event, dazzling the audience as they performed to “SCREAM,” the first single from the HIStory album. Following the performance, fans were able to meet and take photos with those cast members.

“There’s a reason why Michael Jackson’s spirit still lives on,” said Jerry Nadal, Senior Vice President, Resident Shows Division at Cirque du Soleil. “It’s the passion and love behind every song he created. It’s the soundtrack he delivered to an entire generation and beyond. We certainly see this every night at Michael Jackson ONE as thousands of Michael Jackson, Cirque and music and dance fans of all ages and backgrounds collide to experience their favorite Michael Jackson songs in a new and innovative way. Now, this incredible statue stands with us as a testament to his legacy.”

Limited Edition Five-LP Box Set, Maroon 5 — The Studio Albums All Five Titles Also Available On Individual 180-Gram Vinyl

Maroon 5‘s remarkable 14-year career has established them as one of pop music’s most enduring and celebrated groups. For the first time since their original release, all five of the band’s albums will be released on 180-gram vinyl in a limited edition box set: Maroon 5: The Studio Albums and as individual titles on vinyl, September 30—just as the band wraps up its year-long Maroon 5 World Tour of 37 cities in October. All LPs will include original cover artwork.

MAROON 5 — THE STUDIO ALBUMS LIMITED EDITION FIVE-LP BOX SET, ALL FIVE TITLES ALSO AVAILABLE ON INDIVIDUAL VINYL (PRNewsFoto/UMe)

Formed by the four principals in Los Angeles-based band Kara’s Flowers – vocalist/guitarist Adam Levine, rhythm guitarist Jesse Carmichael, bassist Mickey Madden and drummer Ryan Dusick, with the addition of keyboardist James Valentine – Maroon 5 signed with Octone Records, releasing their debut album, Songs About Jane, in June 2002, debuting on the Billboard 200 at No. 6 and earning the GRAMMY® Award for Best New Artist.

Followed by 2007’s It Won’t Be Soon Before Long (No. 1), 2010’s Hands All Over (No. 2), 2012’s Overexposed (No. 2) and 2014’s V (No. 1), its first for 222/Interscope, Maroon 5 have amassed more than 17 million album sales and 70 million singles worldwide, going gold or platinum in over 35 countries, scoring such No. 1 Top-40 hits like “Makes Me Wonder,” “Moves Like Jagger” and “One More Night,” as well as Top-5 smashes “This Love,” “She Will Be Loved,” “Payphone” (with Wiz Khalifa), “Animals” and “Sugar” with more than 1 billion views.  

Songs About Jane was released on June 25, 2002, and since reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200, it has gone on to sell more than 5.2 million copies in the U.S. and 10 million copies worldwide. The album produced a pair of Top-5 singles with “This Love” (No. 8 in Australia, No. 3 in the U.K.) and “She Will Be Loved” (No. 1 inAustralia and No. 4 in the U.K.) and a Top-20 hit in “Harder to Breathe.”  Rolling Stone praised the album for its “funky, white-soul stylings, tunefulness and vocals.“

Songs About Jane track listing
Side One
1.”Harder to Breathe”
2. “This Love”
3. “Shiver”
4. “She Will Be Loved”
5. “Tangled”
6. “The Sun”

Side Two
1. “Must Get Out”
2. “Sunday Morning”
3. “Secret'”
4. “Through with You”
5. “Not Coming Home”
6. “Sweetest Goodbye”

It Won’t Be Soon Before Long was released on A&M/Octone on May 16, 2007, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (and in the U.K.), with Matt Flynn replacing drummer Ryan Dusick, who still received credit on the album as Musical Director. The album’s musical direction veered into a pop-punk-soul area, drawing inspiration from the likes of Talking Heads, Michael Jackson and Prince. The album’s first single, “Makes Me Wonder,” turned into the band’s first-ever Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper, going to No. 2 in the U.K., while “Wake Up Call” hit the Top 20. The album went on to sell 5 million copies worldwide, hitting No. 1 on Billboard‘s Digital Albums chart, No. 3 on the Top Alternative Albums tally, No. 3 on Top Catalog Albums and No. 1 on the Top Tastemaker Albums.

It Won’t Be Soon Before Long track listing
Side One
1. “If I Never See Your Face Again”
2. “Makes Me Wonder”
3. “Little of Your Time”
4. “Wake Up Call”
5. “Won’t Go Home Without You”
6. “Nothing Lasts Forever”

Side Two
1. “Can’t Stop”
2. “Goodnight Goodnight”
3. “Not Falling Apart”
4. “Kiwi”
5. “Better That We Break”
6. “Back at Your Door”

Hands All Over was first released on A&M/Octone Records on August 18, 2010, then re-released a year later to include their chart-topping, GRAMMY®-nominated hits “Moves Like Jagger” and “Misery.” Produced by Mutt Lange, with Benny Blanco and Shellback producing “Moves Like Jagger,” the album debuted at No. 2 and was certified platinum. “Moves Like Jagger,” which was first performed live on The Voice by fellow judges Adam Levine and Christina Aguilera, turned into one of the band’s most successful single releases, nominated for a GRAMMY® in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category (as was “Misery“). The single is one of the eight best-selling digital downloads of all time, with sales of more than 8.5 million copies worldwide in 2011 and another 7 million since then.

Hands All Over track listing
Side One
1. “Misery”
2. “Give a Little More”
3. “Stutter”
4. “Don’t Know Nothing”
5. “Never Gonna Leave This Bed”
6. “I Can’t Lie”

Side Two
1. “Hands All Over”
2. “How”
3. “Get Back in My Life”
4. “Just a Feeling”
5. “Runaway”
6. “Out of Goodbyes”
7. “Moves Like Jagger” (first time appearing on the album) 

Overexposed was released on June 20, 2012, on A&M/Octone Records, and is the band’s only album not to feature multi-instrumentalist Jesse Carmichael, who left the band and returned two years later. PJ Morton, who had been touring with the band as the keyboardist and background vocalist, joined the group. Working with a new set of producers, including hitmeister Max Martin and Ryan Tedder – as well as mainstays Shellback and Benny Blanco – Maroon 5’s fourth album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The album has since sold nearly 1.5 million copies in the U.S., spurred by the lead single, “Payphone,” featuring Wiz Khalifa, which went to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “One More Night,” which peaked at No. 1. Both subsequent singles, “Daylight” (No. 7) and “Love Somebody” (No. 10) also scored high on the charts.

Overexposed track listing
Side One
1. “One More Night”
2. “Payphone”
3. “Daylight”
4. “Lucky Strike”
5. “The Man Who Never Lied”
6. “Love Somebody”

Side Two
1. “Ladykiller”
2. “Fortune Teller”
3. “Sad”
4. “Tickets”
5. “Doin’ Dirt”
6. “Beautiful Goodbye”

V, released August 29, 2014, their first for 222/Interscope, marked the return of multi-instrumentalist Jesse Carmichael, while debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and producing three hit singles in “Maps” (No. 6—setting a record for the highest debut by a group on the Top 40 radio charts in 18 years), “Animals” (No. 3) and GRAMMY®-nominated “Sugar” (No. 2). The album also features a collaboration with fellow Voice judge Gwen Stefani, “My Heart Is Open,” co-written with Sia Furler. Rolling Stone called the album “precision-tuned and lustrously polished, jammed with hooks and choruses that build a man cave in your brain.”

V track listing
Side One
1. “Maps”
2. “Animals”
3. “It Was Always You”
4. “Unkiss Me”
5. “Sugar”
6. “Leaving California”

Side Two
1. “In Your Pocket”
2. “New Love”
3. “Coming Back for You”
4. “Feelings”
5. “My Heart is Open”

Cyndi Lauper Proves That She Still Can Surprise–and Definitely Have Fun–in the August/September Issue of AARP The Magazine

While Celebrating The Release Of Her Latest Musical Adventure –A Country Album– Pop Icon Cyndi Lauper Shares Her Secrets For Reinvention And Why Rules, Especially About Aging, Just Don’t Apply

With nearly 36 million readers, AARP The Magazine, founded in 1958 and is published bimonthly in print and continually online, is the world’s largest circulation magazine and the definitive lifestyle publication for Americans 50+. It delivers comprehensive content through health and fitness features, financial guidance, consumer interest information and tips, celebrity interviews, and book and movie reviews. AARP The Magazine was.

AARP The Magazine – Cyndi Lauper Cover (PRNewsFoto/AARP)

At age 63, Cyndi Lauper is still that girl with edge who just wants to have fun. She remains an entertainment powerhouse whose secret to success is not giving a “hoot,” remaining true to herself and her unconventional artistic vision.

In the August/September issue of AARP The Magazine, a pink-haired Lauper opens up about her personal life, including an abusive childhood, and provides details about her remarkable career, spanning pop rock, new wave, blues, Broadway and, most recently, a recording of country standards.

Her notable work doesn’t end with music, but includes forays into acting, performance art, and human rights activism. This 80s icon is a devoted wife, mother and musical artist that has survived personal and professional hardships and is fiercely determined to remain open to the new and to be defined only by herself.

AARP national logo. (PRNewsFoto/AARP)

The following are excerpts from the August/September issue of the AARP The Magazine cover story featuring Lauper, available in homes today and online now at www.aarp.org/magazine/.

ON BEING TRUE TO HERSELF AND STAYING POWER: “Don’t listen. I find it remarkable when the ‘industry people’ try to pigeonhole you, like they know. Even me, I don’t know what I can do. I want to be great, but I don’t know if I can be great, so I just have to keep trying.”

“You can’t live your whole life worrying about staying famous. If losing some fame means doing what you want, you gotta go with what you want.”

“They can say what they want [about my legacy]. They’ve been saying everything anyway. I don’t give a hoot. I am who I am. I don’t apologize for any of it. But I do hope that what I do in my art inspires people—that it makes ’em happy and makes ’em think.“

“I wouldn’t listen to the naysayers and haters. Who cares? The people who succeed are the people who don’t quit.”

“I wanna hear everything and keep learning about music. If I’m gonna invest my time, I want it to be great, because that’s what I’m leaving behind, besides the human beings I adore.”

“I had a dream one time. I climbed the ladder and then let the ladder fall because I couldn’t just stand where I was. I wanted to be my own artist, to sing the rhythm of my own speech.”

ON THE VIRTUES OF AGING THE WAY YOU WANT TO: “Age has nothing to do with it. You’ll get wherever it is you want to go at whatever time in your life you want to do it.“

“I think I have reached an age when I can have pink hair if I want—or blue hair. But blue, it turns a little green, so right now I am going with the pink.”

“We are brainwashed about what age you’re supposed to marry, what age you’re supposed to have a kid, what age you’re supposed to do this or that. Oh my god! Who died and left those people in charge?“

ON HER FINANCIAL REGRETS: “I was never smart about money like Prince. I wish I wasn’t taken advantage of so much.”

ON LEARNING TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF: Lauper’s manager told her, “You’ll never be as big as you were.” Yet she refused to fire him. “Why didn’t I say, ‘If you don’t believe in me, you shouldn’t be working for me’? I couldn’t. He had a family. And I guess there were times I didn’t think I was worthy either, because I was always told I was a pain in the ass, and why can’t I just stand there and sing?“

ON HER ASPIRING HIP-HIP ARTIST SON’S REFUSAL TO TAKE HER ADVICE: “I love my kid so f—ing much, I can’t take it.” Yet for Lauper, the main issue at the moment is that, though her son is an aspiring hip-hop artist, he refuses to take her advice. Still, she’s sanguine. “I‘d get mad when people gave me advice, too. I still do. I’ll ask my husband what he thinks of what I’m wearing, and he’ll say, ‘I don’t really like it,’ and I’ll wear it anyway. So why ask the poor bastard?“

ON A NORTH CAROLINA LAW BANNING TRANSGENDER FROM USING THE FACILITY WITH WHICH THEY IDENTIFY: “Where I come from, you don’t let your friends and family be stripped of their civil rights.” But unlike other artists, including Bruce Springsteen, who canceled their concerts in the state, Lauper went ahead with her Raleigh, North Carolina show and donated the proceeds to a local LGBT charity. “Just my money,” she adds quickly. “Set people, electricians—all those guys need to get paid.“

Express Launches #ExpressLife Campaign Featuring Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss Signs Long-Term Partnership to Become Brand Ambassador & Creative Consultant

Express, Inc. today announces the #ExpressLife campaign, in which the brand celebrates the optimistic attitude and dream big mindset of Express customers. The campaign is brought to life via a collaboration with a diverse group of individuals who inspire others to pursue their goals while showcasing their individual style with confidence. From sports figures to actors and entrepreneurs, these go-getters are united in their core values, passion for giving back and in their ability to elevate the conversation to make a positive difference.

EXPRESS Logo. (PRNewsFoto/EXPRESS)

An iconic groundbreaker, Karlie Kloss joins Express as Brand Ambassador and Creative Consultant, and will support #ExpressLife across all wearing occasions and act as creative collaborator on an exclusive collection debuting Spring 2017. The #ExpressLife campaign will kick off August 2016 with the fall denim collection.

#ExpressLife by Karlie Kloss (PRNewsFoto/Express, Inc.)

Centered around Karlie’s on-the go fashionable lifestyle, each denim look personifies her unique interests and pursuits. A series of six looks, photographed and directed by Inez and Vinoodh and styled by Veronique Didry will run in print, TV, in-store and on social media and digital platforms, including interview-like webisodes connecting Karlie’s thoughts on work, love, fashion, friends and her busy life. British actor and philanthropist, Douglas Booth accompanies Karlie on the men’s side with thoughts on life, art and giving back.

“We’re thrilled to kick off #ExpressLife with Karlie,” said David Kornberg, Express CEO and President. “This campaign bridges the worlds of fashion, philanthropy and business. Karlie is an influential trailblazer who fits perfectly with our goal to bring the best fashion to our customers, allowing them to express their dynamic, individual styles with confidence.”

#ExpressLife by Karlie Kloss (PRNewsFoto/Express, Inc.)

“I am excited to work closely with Express as a Creative Consultant and Brand Ambassador,” said Karlie Kloss. “I grew up wearing and shopping at Express in St. Louis, and have always loved the brand for its everyday, versatile looks that work for so many aspects of my life, whether I’m at work, school or out with friends. I cannot think of a better brand to collaborate with and create designs that capture my personal style.“

#ExpressLife by Douglas Booth (PRNewsFoto/Express, Inc.)

A supermodel and social media phenomenon, Karlie is also a coder, student, philanthropist and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Kode With Klossy, a coding initiative that works to increase access to coding opportunities for young women and has a line of cookies that benefit FEED and CFDA. In partnership with Express’ design team and in support of Kode With Klossy, Karlie created a graphic tee, Like A Kloss, which underscores the commitment of Express and Karlie to encourage young women to achieve their goals. Purchases of this shirt will help support Express’ donation to Kode With Klossy and is Karlie’s debut piece to the upcoming exclusive collection.

Available online at www.express.com beginning today and in-store August 1st, customers can check out the Like A Kloss graphic tee and the latest denim styles added to the current assortment.

Australian Men’s Underwear Brand Cocksox Celebrates Tenth Birthday

Since 2006 Cocksox has supported men across the globe with a wide range of underwear and swimwear featuring their signature enhancing pouch designs. Ten years on the company’s sexy styles are still pumping and grinding their way through the men’s fashion world.

Back in 2006, Nadiah Kanawaty saw a need in the men’s underwear and swimwear market for high quality sexy and enhancing designs. Running the idea past her partner Nigel Christensen, he immediately thought of the name Cocksox. It was the perfect name for the garment and the attitude they embodied – sexy, provocative and fun!

Cocksox CX76SC 10th Anniversary Decadence Print Mens Underwear Sports Brief (PRNewsFoto/Cocksox)

The very first pair of Cocksox was a CX01 Underwear Brief that was listed on eBay. A decade later the CX01 is still the signature piece in the Cocksox range. From humble beginnings Cocksox now sell over 50 styles of underwear and swimwear. They have been seen in international magazines, TV shows, movies and extensively in online media.

All Cocksox have one thing in common: an anatomically designed pouch to lift and support a man’s ‘manhood’. The pouch provides supreme comfort, support and an enhanced profile. Cocksox do for men what the push-up bra does for women. There are no little surprises inside the Cocksox underwear or swimwear. As Kanawaty like to say – no rings, no slings! The enhanced profile that comes with wearing Cocksox is purely the result of the unique pouch design and the fabrics they are made from.

Cocksox CX12SC 10th Anniversary Decadence Print Mens Underwear Boxer (PRNewsFoto/Cocksox)

Underwear styles range from traditional boxers and briefs through to super-revealing thongs, and everything in between. There’s truly something for every guy, every mood, every day.

To this day Cocksox remains very much a family business. Over the years Nadiah’s siblings Oliver and Hannah have joined as General Manager and Sales and Marketing Manager respectively.

Being cheeky, original and unashamedly brash has been at the core of the company’s success. It is a trend that is set to continue with our latest special edition release.

To celebrate our tenth birthday Cocksox has released the Decadence Collection – five of their most popular underwear styles featuring a striking print of Cocksox slogans, brands and tags. As with every pair of Cocksox underwear ever made, comfort is key in the Decadence collection. The luxurious fabric feels great against the body, and the shape keeps your boys well presented all day long.

Comfort, style, sass – the Cocksox Decadence Collection has got it all. From day one Cocksox has loved to play with fun slogans, tags and cheeky statements to tell the story of our brand. The Decadence print shows off a bunch of our favorites and wraps them around you. By wearing these, you literally become a part of the Cocksox story.

Gap Marks (RED)’s 10th Anniversary in the Fight Against AIDS

Gap Has Raised $10M For The Global Fund Since 2006; Launches Special Product Collection To Mark (RED)’s 10th Anniversary

Gap is proud to commemorate (RED)‘s 10th anniversary and its role as the founding apparel partner of the AIDS organization founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver (to engage businesses and people in the fight against AIDS. (RED) partners with the world’s most iconic brands that contribute up to 50% of profits from (RED)-branded goods and services to the Global Fund), Gap has contributed $10 million dollars to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and has encouraged customers to support the fight through its (RED) partnership product collections that have heightened awareness of the AIDS pandemic and the opportunity to end it by 2030.

(PRNewsFoto/Gap)

To mark the anniversary, Gap is releasing a special collection of favorites for the entire family. The iconic (Gap)RED logo design, featuring inspiring text such as SUPER POWE(RED), INC(RED)IBLE and FI(RED) UP, will be offered in tees, sweatshirts and tanks for men, women and kids and in onesies for baby ($24.95-$54.95). Outerwear and denim will also be offered for men and women, including a classic bomber and straight selvedge jeans for men and a denim jacket, jeans and sleeveless puffer vest for women ($79.95-$108). The collection will be available at select Gap stores around the world and on www.gap.com beginning July 26.

“It is an honor for Gap to celebrate (RED)’s 10th anniversary. We’re proud of Gap’s role in helping (RED) launch 10 years ago,” said Jeff Kirwan, Global President, Gap. “(GAP)RED takes what we do best – creating great products that people love – and provides customers an opportunity to take part in positive change. We’re pleased that our (GAP)RED collections spark meaningful conversations that inspire people to join the movement to end AIDS.“

Selected styles from Gap’s new (RED) collection available for the entire family. (PRNewsFoto/Gap)

Deborah Dugan, CEO, (RED) said: “This year is an important anniversary year for (RED) which has generated a total of $350 million so far and impacted the lives of 70 million people. With our wonderful (RED) partners like Gap, we’re doubling down on our efforts to fight this preventable, treatable disease. We’re honored to see Gap once again bringing great (RED) apparel items to their stores around the world, making it easy for everyone, everywhere, to join the fight.”

Mark Dybul, Executive Director, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, said: “The $10 million generated by Gap through their (RED) partnership underlines the importance of the private sector to ending the AIDS epidemic. Their contribution has enabled the Global Fund to improve the lives of many affected by HIV.”

To amplify the collection’s important message, Gap will release a series of videos that demonstrate the partnership’s impact on the fight against AIDS. This storytelling will engage audiences across Gap’s digital channels and social platforms and customers are encouraged to join the conversation by tagging social content with the hashtag #endAIDS.

(RED) Proud Partners include: Apple, Bank of America, Beats by Dr. Dre, Belvedere, Claro, The Coca-Cola Company, GAP, MCM, NetJets, Salesforce, SAP, Starbucks, Telcel.

(RED) Special Edition partners include: aden+anais, Alessi, ALEX AND ANI, Billecart-Salmon, Ergo Depot, Fresh, Fatboy USA, Fresh, Girl Skateboards, HEAD, Le Creuset, Live Nation Entertainment, Moleskine, Mophie, NetJets, Piaggio, Uber, and Wolfnoir.

To date, (RED) has generated $350 million for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, to support HIV/AIDS grants in Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania and Zambia. 100 percent of that money goes to work on the ground – no overhead is taken. Global Fund grants that (RED) supports have impacted more than 70 million people with prevention, treatment, counseling, HIV testing and care services. (RED) is a division of The ONE Campaign. Learn more at www.red.org

Life is Good® Heads Back to School With Expanded Collection of Collegiate Licensed Apparel

Co-Branded T-Shirt Line Delivers Positive School Spirit In Partnership With College Campuses Across The Nation

 Optimistic lifestyle brand Life is Good® has announced its partnership with more than ten top US colleges to spread the power of optimism through a unique line of collegiate licensed apparel. Following a successful launch with the University of Notre Dame last fall, the men’s and women’s co-branded collection features the positive messages that the brand is known for, integrated with the schools’ individual logos, colors and images. This collection will help further the company’s social mission as it donates 10% of annual net profits to help kids facing poverty, violence, and illness.   

“My brother John and I launched Life is Good over twenty years ago selling our t-shirts at college campuses up and down the east coast.  It’s great to be back on campus – this time through partnerships with top schools across the country” said Bert Jacobs, co-founder and Chief Executive Optimist of Life is Good. “The college years are an important time where students are learning a lot and figuring out how they want to view the world. We hope that through our brand we can help inspire students to choose optimism.”

Alongside Notre Dame, schools that will join the Life is Good family include Arizona State University, Baylor University, University of Georgia, Gonzaga University, University of Miami, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, and The University of Oklahoma. Founders Bert and John Jacobs’ alma maters will also be a part of the team – Villanova University and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Additionally, Auburn University, Texas Christian University, and University of California, Berkeley will be joining the roster later this summer. The collection will feature an assortment of men’s and women’s styles in short sleeve, long sleeve, and fleece, designed for students, college sports fans, alumni, and proud parents/family members.

“We are so honored to be a part of alumnus John Jacobs’ post-college journey, as Chief Creative Optimist for a company that is doing incredible things in the world,” said David Curley, Director of Trademark & Licensing Administration at the University of Massachusetts. “The Life is Good collegiate collection combines the strength of two proud Massachusetts-based brands – the Minutemen of UMass and Life is Good.”

The co-branded collection is available now online (www.lifeisgood.com/college), at select retailers, and campus bookstores. Life is Good plans to further expand its collegiate licensed offerings later this year in a partnership with WinCraft and in early 2017 with Tervis.

The Life is Good Company is a $100 million lifestyle brand dedicated to spreading the power of optimism.  The company donates 10 percent of its net profits to help kids in need.  To date, the company has donated over $11 million, principally through Life is Good products, events and community fundraising efforts. Life is Good® is a registered trademark of The Life is Good Company.

The Life is Good Kids Foundation is an accredited 501(c)(3) that partners with organizations serving the most vulnerable children to improve the quality of their care. The Foundation’s Playmaker program connects with schools, hospitals, camps, and a variety of social service agencies to give childcare professionals the resources they need to make a positive, life-changing impact at a pivotal time in a child’s development. Please visit lifeisgood.com for more details

Feel The Future™: Cole Haan Launches 2.ZERØGRAND

The New 2.ZERØGRAND is the Most Advanced Grand Product to Date

Cole Haan, the iconic American lifestyle footwear and accessories brand and retailer, is excited to announce the launch of 2.ZERØGRAND – the next generation of ZERØGRAND, which debuted in July 2014. Featuring a 360 ̊ platform design that makes it the most advanced Grand product to date, 2.ZERØGRAND is the ultimate marriage of heritage, craftsmanship and functional performance engineering, created for an on-the-go city lifestyle.

“2.ZERØGRAND is an elegantly considered evolution of ZERØGRAND and the phenomenon we created with the introduction of ZERØGRAND two years ago,” said David Maddocks, Chief Marketing Officer & GM of Business Development. “Our Innovation Team sought to give customers a next-generation product that moves with them to meet the demands of their always-on lifestyles. They have delivered in spades.”

Cole Haan Fall 2016 – Men’s 2.ZERØGRAND Laser Wingtip Oxford – Ironstone/Ivory

Designed to mimic the natural motion of the human foot, each element of 2.ZERØGRAND promotes flexibility and cushioning, rivaling top-of-the-line running shoes. An anatomically contoured GRAND.ØS energy foam footbed cradles the foot for better weight distribution and cushioning, while airflow channels and moisture-wicking material assist in keeping feet comfortable. Zonal tongue and achilles padding provide an additional buffer, generating ready-to-wear comfort from day one, while also protecting the most important parts of the foot. A zonal laser-perforated brogue pattern on the vamp is a nod to the time-honored wingtip design, while also increasing flexibility.

Cole Haan Fall 2016 – Women’s 2.ZERØGRAND Laser Wingtip Oxford – Black/Bristol Blue

2.ZERØGRAND:

Women’s 2.ZERØGRAND Wing Oxford, $250 – $270

Available in Black Leather/Bristol Blue, British Tan/Molten Lava, Black Leather/Black, Black Nubuck/Ivory, Ironstone Nubuck/Ivory, Marine Blue/Ivory, Taupe Nubuck/Ivory

Men’s 2.ZERØGRAND Wing Oxford, $300 – $320

Available in Black Leather/Bristol Blue, British Tan/Molten Lava, Black Leather/Black, Black Nubuck/Grey, Chestnut Leather/Ivory, Ironstone Nubuck/Ivory, Marine Blue Nubuck/Optic White and Vapor Grey Nubuck/Ivory

“2.ZERØGRAND is the ultimate in 360˚ design and innovation combining traditionally crafted dress oxford detailing with modern performance engineering. From the wingtip laser-perforated detailing to the GRAND.ØS motion outsole and everything in between, 2.ZERØGRAND works harmoniously for unrivaled flexibility, superior cushioning and reduced weight,” said Scott Patt, VP of Innovation & Design at Cole Haan.

To coincide with the launch and further capture the spirit of invention and innovation, the new “Feel The Future”™ campaign features entrepreneurial revolutionaries, sharing their companies’ progress towards a re-imagined future. The campaign focuses on the lives and stories of these individuals, with an inside look at what drives their work. In addition to Scott Patt of Cole Haan, the campaign includes shaving revolutionaries Andy Katz-Mayfield and Jeff Raider of Harry’s and energy revolutionary Danielle Fong of LightSail.

Cole Haan Fall 2016 – 2.ZERØGRAND Feel the Future Campaign™ – Danielle Fong (LightSail)

Cole Haan Fall 2016 – 2.ZERØGRAND Feel the Future Campaign™ – Scott Patt (Cole Haan)

This campaign is part of the Cole Haan “Create The Future” marketing platform. The platform highlights the transformative individuals who are creating the next generation of innovations in the fields of fashion, art, design, entrepreneurship, and storytelling. Similar to the inspirational nature of their breakthrough creations, the innovative portfolio of Cole Haan products strive to give these revolutionaries the physical foundation they need to take giant leaps forward. We honor that spirit with “Create the Future”.

The 2.ZERØGRAND Collection is available on www.ColeHaan.com and in US and International Cole Haan Stores.

Sears Launches New Denim Lines, Sending Kids Back To School in Serious Style

New “The Secret Life Of Pets” App Game, Integrated Shopping Conveniences, On-Trend Apparel And Footwear Make Sears Back-To-School Shopping Fun And Easy

Sears has kicked off the back-to-school season with two new private label apparel lines, a new interactive in-store Sears app experience and shopping conveniences that make shopping easier, more fun with less time taken away from the last few days of summer.

Sears kicked off the back-to-school season by expanding its popular Roebuck & Co. line to boys and girls. Previously only available for men, the new Roebuck & Co. line includes denim, plus khaki cargo pants, long-sleeve tops and hoodies for boys, and leggings, tops and jackets for girls. (PRNewsFoto/Sears, Roebuck and Co.)

With fresh, updated jeans perennially high on back-to-school shopping lists, Sears was inspired to expand its popular Roebuck & Co. line to boys and girls. Previously only available for men, the new Roebuck & Co. line includes denim, plus khaki cargo pants, long-sleeve tops and hoodies for boys, and leggings, tops and jackets for girls. Sears also introduced R1893 – a diverse women’s denim collection that features six fits and 52 washes.

“Back to school style is about having the confidence and swag to rock a logo-less tee and unbranded jacket. It’s being on trend and owning your style by making it yours. And you can seriously do that at Sears,” said Joelle Maher, president and chief member officer for Sears. “The new apparel lines will remind our members that denim is not only our heritage, it’s our passion. We believe in expertly constructed fits, rich vintage washes and serious attention to detail.“

R1893 – With a name calling back to when the Sears Roebuck name first appeared, this new women’s collection takes denim to a new level. The collection features six fits – hi-rise jeggings, girlfriend, boot, skinny, jegging, and skinny flare – with higher cotton content and fits with varying stretch, making the jeans feel buttery, yet durable, and holding in the right places. Sizes are 2-18 and range in price from $39-$49.

Sears has introduced the new R1893 denim line, just in time for back-to-school season. With a name calling back to the when the Sears Roebuck name first appeared, this new women’s collection takes denim to a new level. The collection features six fits and 52 washes – hi-rise jeggings, girlfriend, boot, skinny, jegging, and skinny flare – with higher cotton content and fits with varying stretch, making the jeans feel buttery, yet durable, and holding in the right places. (PRNewsFoto/Sears, Roebuck and Co.)

Roebuck & Co. – This brand plays to Sears’ heritage and focuses on quality and value. The boys line has a classic collegiate feel, with tints of color and dry processing to give it a vintage look. The line comes in two fits – straight and slim straight, each in four washes – three denim washes and black. The girls line conveys a bohemian, free-spirited attitude and features three fits – jegging, legging jean, and boot cut, with stretch in each. The jegging comes in six washes, including black, grey, and two fashion colors (pink and turquoise); legging jeans have an elastic waistband and come in four washes/colors; and boot cut comes in two indigo washes. Denim sizes are 7-16 for girls and 8-20 for boys, with plus and husky sizing available, ranging in price from $24-$32.

Find Max and Win at Sears: Catching the wave of engaging, real-world app play, Sears teamed with the makers of the summer blockbuster “The Secret Life of Pets,” bringing the characters to the Sears app for a fun interactive game. To play the “Find Max” game, users launch the Sears app in-store then search for clues marked with a QR code. When all three QR codes are scanned, Max’s secret location is revealed, unlocking opportunities to enter sweepstakes, earn instant Shop Your Way points and more. Text “FINDMAX” to 73277 to download or update the Sears app.

Tying together Sears’ “Seriously Sears” back to school campaign is a series of digital videos that showcase Sears exciting new fashion looks for girls, boys and teens. Two spots viewable on Sears’ YouTube channel include “Chat” and “Soccer Moments.”

Catching the wave of engaging, real-world app play, Sears teamed with the makers of the summer blockbuster “The Secret Life of Pets,” bringing the characters to the Sears app for a fun interactive game. To play the “Find Max” game, users launch the Sears app in-store then search for clues marked with a QR code. When all three QR codes are scanned, Max’s secret location is revealed, unlocking opportunities to enter sweepstakes, earn instant Shop Your Way points and more. Text “FINDMAX” to 73277 to download or update the Sears app. (PRNewsFoto/Sears, Roebuck and Co.)

Offering More Deals on the Most-Wanted Back-to-School Gear

The National Retail Federation announced that frugality is top-of-mind with back-to-school shoppers this year, with 30 percent saying they will shop sales, 28 percent using more coupons, 25 percent using circulars to seek out deals, and 28 percent buying more store brands*. Therefore, Sears offers many ways for members to save for back-to-school, including weekly advertised deals on sears.com/localad, via personalized digital coupons easily loaded using the Sears app, and special pricing and offers for Shop Your Way members.

Back-To-School Specials And Deals Include:

Take 40% off Dockers Uniforms for Kids with items starting at just $12

Take up to 50% off back-to-school fashions for juniors like the Bongo Junior’s Mock Neck Crop Top on sale for $9.99; reg. priced at $24 PLUS take an extra 20% off with the use of an in-store and online apparel coupon when you spend $50 or more

Save 50% on Roebuck & Co. Fashion Tops for girls 7-16 on sale for $9.99; reg. priced at $19.99

ALL MEN’S JEANS ON SALE –

Save on Roebuck & Co. Young Men’s Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Jeans on sale for $17.99; reg. priced at $39

Save on Lee® Men’s Modern Series Straight Fit Jeans on sale for $32.99; reg. priced at $42

All family athletic shoes on sale – Reebok Adult Athletic Shoes on sale for $39.99-$69.99; reg. priced at$49.99-$79.99

Save on backpacks for the new school year on sale for $21-$48; reg. priced at $38-$60

Sears offers several conveniences to take the fuss out of shopping as parents prepare to get kids back in the groove. Personal Shopper from Shop Your Way allows members to get free personal shopping advice from experts across a broad range of product categories. Sears’ In-Vehicle Pickup service allows parents to shop online or via their mobile phone anytime and have their items brought to their car when they arrive at the store to pick them up in five minutes guaranteed. Looking for a different color or size of an item that’s not in-store? As an added convenience, Sears app users get free shipping on orders placed while in-store (when location services are enabled).

To see Sears’ best back-to-school deals, visit Sears.com/backtoschool and join the conversation at #SeriouslySears.

Installation of the New York City AIDS Memorial Begins

Construction of the New York City AIDS Memorial is now underway at the recently named New York City AIDS Memorial Park at St. Vincent’s Triangle (by New York City Parks Department Commissioner Mitchell Silver) and located at the intersection of West 12th Street and Greenwich Avenue in the West Village. The Memorial organization expects final completion by early November, in advance of a public dedication for World AIDS Day on December 1, 2016.

Installation has begun on the New York City AIDS Memorial, located at the intersection of West 12th Street and Greenwich Avenue in the West Village. SOURCE: New York City AIDS Memorial (PRNewsFoto/New York City AIDS Memorial)

(In his statement Commissioner Silver said, “The New York City AIDS Memorial Park at St. Vincent’s Triangle stands at the crossroads of the richly historical West Village. Here, we honor and celebrate St. Vincent’s Hospital’s more than 150 years of service to our city, as well as the countless New Yorkers impacted by AIDS: those we have lost, those who live with H.I.V./AIDS, and those who continue to battle against fear and ignorance.”)

“I am thrilled by the announcement of the naming of the New York City AIDS Memorial Park at St Vincent’s Triangle, in the center of the community that provided loving care and support to my friends as they died of AIDS and lead the response out of the shadows of stigma, death and despair – into the light of hope, effective treatment and an eventual return to a more normal life. The memorial park pays tribute to our brothers and sisters who died of this plague,” adds Eric Sawyer, founding member of ACT UP and co-founder of Housing Works Inc. and Civil Society Partnership Advisor UNAIDS

The Memorial project was launched in 2011 by urban planners Christopher Tepper and Paul Kelterborn to recognize and preserve the history of the AIDS crisis through the creation of a Memorial to honor New York City’s 100,000+ men, women and children who have died from AIDS, and to commemorate and celebrate the efforts of the caregivers and activists who responded heroically to the crisis. Their efforts evolved into the New York City AIDS Memorial organization.

Steel columns for the monument’s 18-foot white canopy sculpture, fabricated in Argentina, are now being assembled onsite. Stone fabricators in Cold Spring, Minnesota are currently engraving the Memorial’s granite pavers, designed by world-renowned visual artist Jenny Holzer, with selections from Walt Whitman‘s Song of Myself. The Memorial also includes a central granite water feature and benches and will serve as the gateway to a new park.

The New York City AIDS Memorial will be the first significant public space dedicated to the AIDS epidemic in New York City. It is located at the site of the former St. Vincent’s Hospital, the epicenter of the epidemic in New York City, and also a block from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center where ACT UP and other heroic advocacy organizations first began.

“We are excited to see onsite installation beginning on the New York City AIDS Memorial,” said Keith Fox, President of the Memorial organization’s Board of Directors. “After years of working with the community, local elected officials and other stakeholders to approve a design and raise funds for construction, we are extremely grateful to finally see onsite installation beginning. New York City has come so far in its fight against HIV and AIDS. We are proud to remember the 100,000+ New Yorkers who have died from AIDS and offer the community a place to remember, reflect and learn. Along with the neighboring Stonewall National Monument, this is a proud moment for LGBT historic preservation.”

Tepper and Kelterborn, two urban planners who have never known a world without AIDS, launched the grassroots campaign to create the Memorial in 2011. Nearly 500 architects worldwide submitted designs for the Memorial during an ideas competition held in late 2011, sponsored by Architectural Record and Architizer and displayed at the AIA’s Center for Architecture. The jury, chaired by Michael Arad, designer of the National September 11th Memorial, selected a winning design by Brooklyn-based architectural firm Studio AI.

For more information or to support the New York City AIDS Memorial, visit http://nycaidsmemorial.org.

Getting A Good Night’s Sleep Highlights Dreamy New Offering At The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas

Guests of The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas can soon look forward to the stay of their dreams, thanks to a new initiative designed specifically to foster a good night’s sleep.

Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC logo. (PRNewsFoto/The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC.)

Featuring 218 stunningly transformed luxury guest rooms and suites, The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas is conveniently located in Uptown Dallas, close to shopping, dining, arts venues, sightseeing, concerts and professional sporting events. The hotel and its signature restaurant, Fearing’s, have both received #1 rankings for North America by the Zagat U.S. Hotels, Resorts and Spas Survey.

Travelers often say that sleeping well is their primary goal, and the new Ritz-Carlton, Dallas Suite Sleep experience addresses this by assisting even the most sensitive and preoccupied guests in their quest for slumber. Suite Sleep guests receive luxury accommodations, an array of dream-inducing in-suite amenities, and on-request personalized assistance from the hotel’s Sleep Therapist – a specialist in the identification and mitigation of disrupters such as lights and sounds from technological devices, unfamiliar bedtime surroundings, non-optimal/overly-warm room temperatures and more. The Sleep Therapist can also recommend optional white noise apps which travelers may choose to download, in order to fall asleep to the lull of ocean waves, waterfalls and other restful elements.

“Many of our guests require a relaxing escape where sleep will truly enhance their health and well-being,” said Roberto van Geenen, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. “Tapping into the senses to bring this dream within reach is at the heart of our exciting new Suite Sleep experience.“

The hotel has integrated the desire for deep and restful sleep by creating a relaxing Drift to Sleep spa treatment, providing access to a ritual which also promotes sleep and a deep state of stress-free consciousness within the serene ambience of The Ritz-Carlton Spa. This treatment is available separately from the Sleep Therapist and the suite offering designed particularly for restful sleep. This spa treatment was created for those with an overactive mind who may have consistent trouble in falling or staying asleep, and begins with a soothing aromatherapy bath, followed by the presentation of an aromatic herbal tea infused with specialized essential oils that can assist in slowing the body’s internal rhythms. Next, a peaceful body massage facilitates transition into an alpha state of sleep. Spa sleep coaches then allow for a 30-minute power nap on a warmed, down duvet and oversized massage table.

Ranked the #1 business hotel in north Texas by Travel + Leisure magazine and featuring award-winning spa and dining experiences, The Ritz-Carlton is located at 2121 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75201, and may be reached directly at 214-922-0200.

To request a Suite Sleep reservation at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, visit www.ritzcarlton.com/dallas, call toll-free 1 (800) 960-7082 or contact a travel professional. Packages are based on double occupancy and subject to availability and exclude taxes and gratuities.

The Macallan Completes 1824 Masters Series With The Release Of Reflexion And No. 6

The Macallan, the world’s ultimate luxury spirit, has announced the completion of The 1824 Masters Series featuring four stunning decanters, just in time for National Scotch Day (July 27).

The Macallan 1824 Series (PRNewsFoto/The Macallan)

Founded in 1824 in the heart of Speyside, The Macallan was one of the first distilleries in Scotland to be legally licensed. Since then it has built a reputation for quality as one of the world’s leading single malt whiskies.

The story of The Macallan is built on the Six Pillars, each influencing the whisky in its own distinct way. From the Spiritual Home of Easter Elchies House; to the Curiously Small Stills giving a full-bodied richness to the new make spirit; to the Finest Cut representing the best part of the distillation; to the Exceptional Oak Casks which account for up to 80% of the final flavor of the whisky; to the 100% Natural Color and finally the Peerless Spirit, The Macallan itself. Wood sits at the heart of The Macallan, and the vital contributing influences of Spain, North America and Scotland, together with true mastery, set it apart from the rest.

The Macallan 1824 Masters Series is an exclusive luxury range within The Macallan portfolio that charts a path through the supreme quality of The Macallan’s unique sherry casks, increasing in scarcity and rarity through each expression. All of the whiskies in the range are painstakingly hand selected by The Macallan’s Master Whisky Maker, Bob Dalgarno. First-fill, 100% sherry-seasoned casks showcase the beautiful spectrum of the 100% natural color in The Macallan, bringing to life the interaction of the peerless spirit and exceptional oak casks.

Named to commemorate the year The Macallan was established, the 1824 Masters Series celebrates whiskies that are increasingly darker and richer in flavor as one progresses up through the range. With each expression, the whisky complexity increases, as does its hue of natural color, as well as the intricacy of the decanter. The desire to celebrate the peerless spirit and the whiskies’ natural colors is evident in the exquisite style of each decanter, custom designed to better display each individual hue. Inspiration is also taken from The Macallan’s iconic triangle with light-reflecting angular facets and asymmetrical influences.

Raul Gonzalez, VP of The Macallan (Edrington Americas), says: “The 1824 Masters Series has been an extremely exciting ongoing development for The Macallan. The stunning designs and overall imprint of this collection are not only worthy of some of our most complex and precious single malt whiskies but, they celebrate the very foundations that make The Macallan so special – our glorious range of natural color and the outstanding quality of our sherry casks.”

In honor of the holiday, the range, which previously featured Rare Cask (43% ABV, RRP $300) and M (44.7% ABV, RRP $5,000) in the United States, will now be joined by Reflexion (43% ABV, RRP $1,400) and No. 6 (43% ABV, RRP $4,000), all of which contain some of the finest single malt whiskies released by the distillery. These striking decanters, each one magnificent in status and appearance, carry whisky connoisseurs through the range starting with Rare to the crescendo of M, the halo of the entire series and the world’s most valuable whisky.

The Macallan’s Master of Wood, Stuart MacPherson, notes: “Wood sits at the very heart of what we do at The Macallan and this range further demonstrates the vital role of our casks in the production of these superb whiskies. Our commitment to sherry seasoned oak casks is unquestionable and the 1824 Masters Series showcases The Macallan at its very best. “

Aldo Builds Momentum With Its Inspired Fall 2016 Campaign #ALDOMOVESME

Taking A Fresh Approach To Its Global Campaign, Aldo Taps Into The Concept Of Movement Through Collage, Elevating Its Visual Brand Identity For Fall 2016

Aldo Builds Momentum With Its Inspired Fall 2016 Campaign #ALDOMOVESME

Aldo takes a fresh approach to its visual identity through a unique creative direction for its fall 2016 campaign. Exploring the concept of movement, this innovative campaign contextualizes footwear and accessories within fashion, building aspirational looks that allow consumers to get inspired and translate into their own personal style.

Movement, as translated through collage, drives the concept for #ALDOMOVESME fall 2016 campaign. In this bold, fashion-first concept, Aldo sought out top fashion photographer Mikael Jansson and stylist Alex White to bring the campaign to life.

Aldo’s new fall campaign will live across all brand touch points including advertising, online, mobile, in store and through #ALDOMOVESME social media program.

“As a footwear brand, we loved the idea of tapping into the concept of progress and movement”, explains Carl Jesper Versfeld, Creative Director for Aldo’s fall 2016 campaign. “Utilizing collage, Mikael and the team were able to bring to life this creative approach while revealing an original campaign composition that is unique to Aldo.”

The #ALDOMOVESME campaign builds exciting momentum for the footwear and accessories leader. As the brand refreshes its visual approach for the fall 2016 campaign, it also looks to engage the Aldo community with ‘likeable’ #ALDO crew influencer driven social content – cumulated by the campaign hashtag #ALDOMOVESME.

“The concept of movement corresponds directly with Aldo’s core philosophy: to inspire and move forward”, describes Erwin Hinteregger, Chief Marketing Officer for the Aldo Group. “Our job is to delight and move our consumer – we believe the fall campaign will do just that. This new visual look and feel signals our focus on remaining lock-step with our consumers’ needs and desires. When you layer this creative direction with the brand’s innovative digital approach in store and on mobile, we deepen our connection with the consumer.”

The visual update also comes at a time when Aldo is innovating more than ever through leading multi-channel initiatives. The brand is taking a consumer-first approach to its digital connectivity in store and on mobile – with a special focus on content most relevant to customers and enhancing ease of shopping the latest trends. Coming this fall, a new Aldo app will provide the consumer with unparalleled autonomy while virtually shopping or within its retail locations – ultimately leading to a more meaningful interaction with the Aldo brand and sales associates.

Whether shopping in one of Aldo’s stores, clicking through the brand’s interactive app/website (www.aldoshoes.com) or engaging on social media – consumers will be able to immerse with the Aldo brand in a way that is most relevant to them.

“It’s important for us at Aldo to keep things personal in our approach to digital innovation – always remaining connected to our consumer,” continues Hinteregger.

The fall 2016 campaign launch is supported by an integrated worldwide marketing campaign across a variety of channels including print, digital, out-of-home and social media extensions.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Celebrates The Music Of Movies in August

Special Screenings Of “Purple Rain” And “King Of Jazz,” Plus The Return Of The Black Movie Soundtrack At The Hollywood Bowl

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), a professional honorary organization with the stated goal of advancing the arts and sciences of motion pictures, will highlight the art of film music with three programs in August: the West Coast restoration premiere of “King of Jazz,” a tribute screening of “Purple Rain” with members of the cast and crew, and a live concert celebration of The Black Movie Soundtrack, featuring Oscar^®-winning recording artist Common and guests.  The events will take place at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills and at the Hollywood Bowl.

The schedule is as follows:

KING OF JAZZ (1930) – West Coast restoration premiere
Wednesday, August 17 – 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater

Hosted by Academy governor and Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino and animation director David Silverman.

Restored to its original length and two-color Technicolor glory, “King of Jazz” is a revue with songs, sketches and production numbers built around American bandleader, composer and orchestral director Paul Whiteman.  Earning an Oscar for Art Direction, it was filmed entirely in early two-color Technicolor, and features the first-ever Technicolor animation by Walter Lantz.

PURPLE RAIN (1984) – Brand new 35mm optical stereo print
Monday, August 29 – 7:30 p.m. at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater

With director Albert Magnoli, actor Jerome Benton, producer Robert Cavallo, and costume designer Marie France, and moderated by Academy governor Reginald Hudlin.

The Academy celebrates the life and legacy of Prince with a screening of “Purple Rain” in 35mm.  “Purple Rain” grossed almost $70 million at the box office, sold over 20 million copies of the soundtrack, won an Oscar for Original Song Score and helped turn Prince into the sensation he remains today.

THE BLACK MOVIE SOUNDTRACK II – Co-presented with the Hollywood Bowl
Wednesday, August 31 – 8 p.m. at the Hollywood Bowl

Hosted by Craig Robinson, with performances by Marcus Miller, Common, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson of Earth Wind and Fire, Full Force, Alice Smith and Charlie Wilson.

Grammy^® winner Marcus Miller and this past year’s Oscar telecast producer Reginald Hudlin reprise the Bowl’s 2014 Black Movie Soundtrack event with new clips and some funky favorites.  Actor and comedian Craig Robinson will host this soulful celebration of black cinema classics, featuring live performances by a slate of music stars.

SMIRNOFF™ Vodka Celebrates 75 Years Since Co-Creating the Moscow Mule

Original Vodka of the Moscow Mule Brings the Iconic Cocktail’s Story to Life for Anniversary

Cocktail trends come and go, but no vodka cocktail is more iconic than the Moscow Mule. Today, cocktail menus across America feature the Moscow Mule and creative variations of the recipe—but there’s only one original. As the co-creators of the original Moscow Mule in 1941, SMIRNOFF™ vodka and Cock’n Bull® Ginger Beer are celebrating seventy-five years of America’s first vodka cocktail.

SMIRNOFF Logo for 75th Anniversary of the Moscow Mule (PRNewsFoto/SMIRNOFF)

In the late 1930s, John G. Martin was the president of an American alcohol company, Heublein, which owned the rights to SMIRNOFF™ vodka. One historic day seventy-five years ago, in 1941, Martin sat at the bar of The Cock’n Bull, an iconic pub on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, with owner Jack Morgan. At a time when brown spirits were king, Martin was struggling to market his newly acquired vodka to American palates. Morgan, too, had a dilemma: few people cared for or even knew about his ginger beer. Martin and Morgan made cocktail history when they created a solution to sell both products by combining SMIRNOFF™ No. 21 vodka with Cock’n Bull® Ginger Beer and a spritz of lime in a copper mug. This was the world’s first Moscow Mule.

The original Moscow Mule, created 75 years ago, is made with SMIRNOFF No. 21, Cock’n Bull Ginger Beer and a squeeze of lime. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Smirnoff) (PRNewsFoto/SMIRNOFF)

Following the creation of the cocktail at The Cock’n Bull, Martin traveled to bars around the United States encouraging bartenders to make a Moscow Mule, giving each of them an instant photograph of themselves with the final creation. Martin took a copy of the instant photograph on to the next bar, encouraging other bartenders to make the cocktail and eventually sparking a frenzy for the Moscow Mule across the country.

“In only a few short years, the Moscow Mule took America by storm and gained popularity in cocktail culture, paving the way for many other popular mixed vodka drinks including the Screwdriver, the Bloody Mary, the Gimlet and more,” said Jay Sethi, Vice President of Marketing, SMIRNOFF™. “Today, 75 years later, the Moscow Mule is experiencing a comeback as one of the most popular cocktails in the U.S., and naturally, the makers of SMIRNOFF™ vodka are celebrating.“

To kick off the celebration of this milestone anniversary, SMIRNOFF™ hosted a series of immersive dinners at the 14th Annual Tales of the Cocktail, one of America’s premier spirits festivals that highlighted the Moscow Mule during an annual cocktail competition. Throughout the evening, invited guests of legal drinking age were transported back in time to experience the story of the Moscow Mule in a pop-up restaurant modeled on the historic meeting between John G. Martin and Jack Morgan. Guests responsibly sampled original Moscow Mules, made with SMIRNOFF™ No. 21 vodka and Cock’n Bull® Ginger Beer.

“Any mixologist or bartender can make a Moscow Mule,” said Daniel Meyers, President of C-B Beverage Corp., owners of Cock’n Bull® Ginger Beer. “But it’s not an original Moscow Mule unless it’s made with the zesty combination of SMIRNOFF™ vodka and Cock’n Bull® Ginger Beer.“

For 150 years, the SMIRNOFF™ brand has been enjoyed by legal drinking age consumers around the world, but it wasn’t until the Moscow Mule was created that vodka became a popular spirit in the United States. The mixability of SMIRNOFF™ vodka and its quality have inspired other vodka varieties across the globe and served as the basis for popularizing some of the world’s most famous cocktails.

(No matter when or where you craft an original Moscow Mule to commemorate this tremendous milestone, please remember to always enjoy it in a copper mug and drink responsibly.)

Designed For Families Who Love Adventure And Outdoor Activities, Babybjörn Introduces The New Hiking Baby Carrier One Outdoors

Parents love to spend time outdoors with their little ones. However, fun outdoor activities and getting close to nature can be challenging when you have very young children – or three-year-olds who insist on walking but soon get tired and ask to be carried. So with the help of a group of active parents, BabyBjörn has developed a solution, their latest baby carrier – One Outdoors (recommended retail price: $259.95.)

BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One Outdoors (PRNewsFoto/BabyBjörn)

The company set the bar high in designing BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier One Outdoors: It needed to be an ergonomic baby carrier with four-way front and back carrying options. It also needed to be made of a functional material, include smart features and a convenient storage bag, as well as allow for easy access to a mobile phone, a water bottle, a security blanket and a teddy.

Parents, who tested the One Outdoors during its development, were very clear about the importance of optimal carrying comfort, which were successfully achieved with the help of a sturdy waist belt and padded shoulder straps.

The BabyBjörn One Outdoors has a built-in infant insert, meaning it fits newborns perfectly, and the wide, adjustable straps also make it comfortable when your toddler (up to 33 lbs/15 kg) is tired and needs a ride on Mom or Dad’s back. The various adjustment options for both child and parent make One Outdoors a brilliant alternative to a traditional baby carrier.

The fabric repels water and dirt and is easy to wipe clean, which is helpful during hikes and other outdoor activities. The carrier also offers elasticity and stability, and the inside is soft against little cheeks and mouths.

“We take great pride in the result of all our development work and especially the positive feedback from the parents who have already tried One Outdoors,” says Björn Engström, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Development, at BabyBjörn. “Everyone has loved its adaptability: That you can carry a very young child on your front or back, either with their head resting on your chest or facing out when they’re a little older so they can look out and share the wonders of nature with Mom or Dad.”

Nordstrom’s Annual Anniversary Sale Is On #NSALE

Shop For Brand New Arrivals At Super-Sale Prices During Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

https://youtu.be/swlZUId4OZs 

The annual Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is on! This is the fashion specialty retailer’s biggest event of the year, featuring brand new arrivals at super-sale prices for a limited time – prices go back up on August 8.

Buy Now, Wear Now

https://youtu.be/1NGPM9qMIbw

Anniversary Sale stocks more than fall essentials like coats and boots. You’ll also find summer and pre-fall styles perfect for buy now, wear now wardrobe updates, or transitional staples to wear into the next season.

https://youtu.be/-BpqSlHehYA

This year, Anniversary Sale debuts some new brands to the event, including Alexander Wang (clothing, accessories and shoes), Alex and Ani, Allsaints (handbags), rag & bone (handbags and accessories), Marc Jacobs (handbags), Current/Elliott, Madewell, Illesteva, Cupcakes and Cashmere, Alice + Olivia, Mara Hoffman, The Honest Company, Peek and Burberry (kids), among others.

https://youtu.be/wH3iX-unpCs

Don’t Miss These Makeup Must-Haves

When it comes to beauty and fragrance at #NSALE, you’ll find limited-edition beauty items at incredible values available only during the sale. There are over 300 beauty and fragrance exclusives – brand favorites include: Charlotte Tilbury, Jo Malone, Kiehl’s Since 1851, MAC and more. And while you’re at it, Nordstrom offers samples of almost any beauty product in store, every day, not just during the sale. Just ask for a sample!

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https://youtu.be/qi2CVmZlRc4 

432 Park Avenue, New York’s Iconic New Residential Tower, Unveils Completed Amenities & Services Programs

432 Park Avenue (DBOX for CIM Group/Macklowe Properties) (PRNewsFoto/432 Park Avenue)

Combining a location along New York City’s most storied residential street with height and views never before experienced in a residential building in the Western Hemisphere, 432 Park Avenue has been established as one of the world’s premier residential addresses. Designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Viñoly, 432 Park Avenue is a perfect square of architectural concrete ascending 1,396 feet to the top of the Manhattan skyline, offering unrivaled views. The building houses an exclusive offering of 106 condominium residences that begin 356 feet above street level and feature 12.5-foot finished ceiling heights, solid oak flooring, Italian marble countertops and the finest interior finishes and appliances. Residence interiors were designed by celebrated New York architect Deborah Berke, the newly appointed dean of the Yale School of Architecture.

Now the developers of the soaring 1,396-foot tower, CIM Group and Macklowe Properties, have revealed the first comprehensive look inside 432 Park Avenue’s 30,000 square feet of highly-anticipated amenities. These exclusive spaces, highlighted by a private restaurant helmed by a Michelin-starred chef, go hand-in-hand with the building’s handpicked team of experienced professionals providing residents best-in-class service. (Occupancy of the building’s 106 residences began earlier this year.)

Three full floors in the 96-story tower are dedicated to dining, entertainment and wellness, beginning at approximately 100 feet in elevation. These amenities floors are all double-height, with approximately 28-foot ceilings and two tiers of 432 Park’s signature oversized 10-foot-by-10-foot windows, creating voluminous interiors flooded with natural light. Operation of the amenities will begin this summer.

Residents’ billiards room and library at 432 Park Avenue (DBOX for CIM Group/Macklowe Properties) (PRNewsFoto/432 Park Avenue)

Acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Shaun Hergatt and restaurateur Scott Sozmen will open an exclusive multifaceted dining and hospitality concept inside 432 Park Avenue. Hergatt, most recently of Juni and SHO, and Sozmen, an alumnus of Colicchio & Sons, Per Se and Jean-Georges, will command the restaurant and lounge that encompasses the entire 12^th floor and the adjacent 5,000-square-foot terrace overlooking 57^th Street. The restaurant will also offer a world-class wine program as well as room service and in-home catering to residents. Designed by renowned hospitality design firm Bentel & Bentel (Eleven Madison Park, Le Bernardin), the 12^th floor possesses dramatic installations by bespoke architectural lighting firm Lasvit, including a pair of 22-foot tall cascading chandeliers each with 55,700 pieces of handset crystal, and an elaborate installation of 339 hand-blown glass globes suspended from polished stainless steel rods. Furnishings include mid-century modern classics by Knoll.

The 14^th floor features an expansive fitness center programmed and managed by star trainer Jay Wright’s The Wright Fit, as well as a yoga studio, billiards room with library curated by publisher Assouline, 18-seat screening room with projection equipment and 220-inch screen, and an executive boardroom containing mahogany paneling, state-of-the-art teleconferencing equipment, and seating for 14 around a custom marble conference table.

The 16^th floor boasts travertine walls and flooring surrounding a 75-foot two-lane indoor swimming pool and separate Jacuzzi. Men’s and women’s locker rooms feature steam, sauna, and treatment rooms for massage and spa services. The Wright Fit’s on-site fitness manager helps curate wellness, nutrition, and therapy programs for residents.

Residents’ swimming pool at 432 Park Avenue (DBOX for CIM Group/Macklowe Properties) (PRNewsFoto/432 Park Avenue)

The building’s handpicked staff includes dozens of veterans of the luxury hospitality and residential industries well adept at providing five-star concierge service. The staff facilitates a lifestyle of convenience and effortless luxury for the residents of 432 Park Avenue, able to seamlessly anticipate and accommodate all manner of requests both inside and outside the home, from housekeeping, art-hanging, and kitchen stocking services to all dining, entertainment and travel arrangements.

As an extension of the building’s dedication to the comfort and convenience of its residents, on-site climate-controlled wine cellars, office suites, studio apartments, private storage, and valet parking services are also available to complement the residences.

Many buyers have already closed on their purchases at 432 Park Avenue, and remaining residences – including a new selection of half-floor residences and residences offering immediate occupancy – are available for purchase.

Explore The Wonders At The Bottom Of The World: Seabourn Launches New Excursions To The South Pole

Seabourn, one of the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise lines, is launching new pre-cruise experiences taking guests to the South Pole on select Antarctica & Patagonia itineraries during the 2016-2017 season. Guests bound for the Great White Continent aboard Seabourn Quest can extend their adventure with two new travel packages that also travel to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including: Polar Quest & Patagonia and Polar Quest, Tierra del Fuego & Iguazu Falls.

Seabourn launches two new travel packages for guests bound for the Great White Continent. Aboard Seabourn Quest guests on select Antarctica & Patagonia itineraries during the 2016-2017 season can extend their adventure to the South Pole through an ongoing partnership with UNESCO. (PRNewsFoto/Seabourn)

“Seabourn has made its reputation for offering guests astonishing experiences in places that are beyond the ordinary, and there are few travel opportunities less-expected or out-of-the-ordinary than a visit to the South Pole,” said Robin West, Senior Manager, Expedition Planning and Operations for Seabourn. “These experiences will be the icing on the cake for guests bound for Antarctica aboard Seabourn Quest over the season ahead.“

Both of the pre-cruise packages include stays at Union Glacier Camp in the southern Ellsworth Mountains, one of a few private seasonally occupied camps in Antarctica. Operated by renowned land-based tour operator Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions (ALE), the full-service camp offers spacious, double-occupancy sleeping tents; freshly prepared gourmet cuisine; and a spectacular setting for activities from scenic excursions to technical climbs and ski tours.

There are many memories waiting to be made and much for guests to enjoy on the new pre-cruise experiences on Seabourn Quest in Antarctica & Patagonia this season, including:

POLAR QUEST & PATAGONIA (14 NIGHTS/15 DAYS) – In addition to a transantarctic flight and landing at the South Pole, this overland journey takes guests on an exploration of breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site Torres del Paine National Park that encompasses 450,000 acres of forests, rivers, lakes and virgin pampas in southernmost Chile. Choose from a variety of included excursions providing daily opportunities to explore the various environments, including vivid blue ice pools, raw glacial moraines and abundant wildlife from guanacos to Andean condors. Package rates start at $50,999 per person based on double occupancy; pre-cruise departure December 4, 2016 followed by Seabourn Quest sailing December 19, 2016.

POLAR QUEST, TIERRA DEL FUEGO & IGUAZU FALLS (16 NIGHTS/17 DAYS) – In addition to a transantarctic flight and landing at the South Pole, guests will join a select company of intrepid explorers en-route to one of the world’s most remote and unspoiled destinations: the breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage Site of Iguazu Falls National Park on the border of Brazil and Argentina. From Santiago, Chile to Buenos Aires, Argentina, guests will witness an immense complex of waterfalls. Explore the falls and its surroundings from extensive walkways or take options such as inflatable boats or helicopter tours. Package rates start at $53,999 per person based on double occupancy; pre-cruise departure December 26, 2016 followed by Seabourn Quest sailing January 12, 2017.

Seabourn is consistently ranked among the world’s top travel choices by professional critics and the discerning readers of prestigious travel publications such as Departures, Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. Its stylish, distinctive cruising vacations are renowned for:

• Five intimate ships with just 104 or 229 suites
• Unique itineraries visiting must-see cities and hidden gems where larger ships cannot follow
• Intuitive, gracious service provided by a staff passionate about pleasing our guests
• Spacious all-suite accommodations with sweeping ocean views – many with verandas
• Gourmet dining experiences as fine as the best restaurants anywhere
• Open bars throughout the ship and fine wines poured with lunch and dinner

Seabourn is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines. The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, AIDA, P&O Cruises UK and P&O Cruises Australia. Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc. It has formed a partnership with United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to help protect World Heritage, and also supports the Ocean Conservation & Tourism Alliance, dedicated to education and promotion of best practices for protecting the marine environment.

For more information or reservations about Seabourn’s Ultimate Antarctica & Patagonia voyages, contact a professional travel advisor, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden Launches New Brand Campaign & Omni-Channel Beauty and Wellness Services

The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden, has announced its new brand campaign. Formally known as Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, the debut of a new contemporary name and logo marks the introduction of new products, services, and experiences, as well as an omni-channel business expansion to offer guests the best in beauty and wellness, both in and outside of its salon and spa locations.

Red Door Spa Logo (PRNewsFoto/THEALUMRUN)

The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden is a beauty and wellness innovator for those who want to look and feel their best, unlocking a philosophy in women it calls “smart gorgeous.” The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden‘s impact and legacy continue as the spa introduces new concepts and technologies that incorporate advanced art and science.

Inside The Red Door Salon & Spa, guests will experience renovated locations and a new treatment menu with a wide range of services – from quick beauty touch-ups to total mind/body rejuvenation. Programs like the Red Door More Massage Membership Program, which offers guests the opportunity to customize a wellness regimen, are complemented by new introductions leveraging The Red Door’s renowned technical expertise. Among the first of many innovations, the day spa is introducing therapeutic manicure and pedicure services, and Elizabeth Arden PRO Renewal, a new, ultra-active, cosmeceutical-grade facial.

Outside of its spa locations, The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden announces the launch of The Red Door At Work, which integrates its Manicube brand, acquired in late-2015, into the brand’s new omni-channel division. The Red Door At Work offers working professionals the quick convenience of beauty and wellness services – nails, hair styling, and massage – in corporate offices and is currently available in New York City, Chicago, Boston, and launching soon in Washington, D.C. Click here for more information.

In addition, The Red Door launches “Events by The Red Door.” Initially available in the New York, Boston, and Chicago markets, Events by The Red Door will create unique and memorable social experiences for small group parties of six or more and for large scale corporate events, such as employee appreciation occasions, client entertaining, and product launches. Events by The Red Door is available in homes, retail locations, offices, as well as in private event spaces at The Red Door Salon & Spa locations.

The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden is also rolling out The Red Door Academy, an advanced training and education program for operations management and the brand’s service providers in facial services, hair removal, massage therapy, nail care, and hair styling and coloring. The Red Door Academy ensures the brand’s technicians have access to cutting edge products and treatment protocols to deliver exceptional experiences through impeccable guest service and expertise. The program is led by Cornelia Zicu, Chief Creative Officer, in the face, nail, and body disciplines, and top hair experts Ben Stewart, National Creative Director, and Timothy Wandrey, National Style Education Director.

These substantial introductions are the first in a line of upcoming launches, which will include new programs, products, and services in the brand’s facial line up, its growing hair salon business, and in hair removal services. Additionally, The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden is developing mobile technology enhancements which, in early 2017, will enable consumers to seamlessly book services at The Red Door Salon & Spa, The Red Door At Work, or small group events while serving as a platform for additional cross-channel benefits like loyalty programs and gift cards.

“Elizabeth Arden created the spa experience over a century ago based on her philosophy that beauty and wellness can work in harmony to enrich lives. This vision rings true today as we take The Red Door to the next level,” said Todd Walter, Chief Executive Officer. “Focusing on meeting our guests’ needs never stops, and our guests now live and work in an always-on society. The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden is redefining the spa experience to better meet their needs and lifestyle. Taking exceptional care of our guests is our passion, and it’s exciting to continue innovating to create more seamless beauty and wellness experiences.”

New Exhibition “Visions And Revisions: Renwick Invitational 2016” Opens Sept. 9 At The Smithsonian American Art Museum

Renwick Gallery Showcases Contemporary Artists Steven Young Lee, Kristen Morgin, Jennifer Trask and Norwood Viviano

“Visions and Revisions: Renwick Invitational 2016“ presents the work of Steven Young Lee, Kristen Morgin, Jennifer Trask and Norwood Viviano, four artists who take innovative approaches to their chosen mediums and who share a fascination with themes of transformation, ruin and rebirth. Their visual sensibilities draw upon sources ranging from traditional Asian pottery to vintage Americana, and from the romance of the Victorian Era to the algorhythmic precision of the computer. “Visions and Revisions” is the seventh installment of the biennial Renwick Invitational.

(The Renwick Gallery is the Smithsonian American Art Museum‘s branch for contemporary craft and decorative arts. The Renwick is located on Pennsylvania Avenue at 17th Street N.W. and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Dec. 25). Admission is free.)

“The Renwick Invitational is an opportunity to celebrate emerging and mid-career artists, honoring the next generation of makers and taking the pulse of what’s happening in the field today,” said Betsy Broun, The Margaret and Terry Stent Director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. “We are delighted to showcase these four exceptional artists and to bring their works onto the national stage of the Renwick Gallery.”

“These artists are united by a love of physical materials in a time when many objects are disappearing in favor of a virtual world,” Atkinson said. “In their own way, they each engage in an ongoing dialogue with an idyllic past and how to make sense of it for the present moment, examining what we choose to carry with us and what we leave behind as we remake ourselves time and again.”

(Top Left) Steven Young Lee, Jar with Landscape and Gold Butterflies, 2015, porcelain, cobalt inlay, glaze, decals. Collection of Tom Rossiter and Nathalie Ribon-Tourre. Image courtesy Duane Reed Gallery (Top Right) Kristen Morgin, Piano Forte, 2004, unfired clay, wood, wire, salt, cement, glue. Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; Purchase (Bottom Left) Jennifer Trask, Burgeon, 2012, Found 18th & 19th century Italian gilt wood fragments, 22K & 23.5 K gold leaf, antler, bone, teeth (various), epoxy resin. Private collection. Image courtesy of the artist. Photo by Storm Photo (Bottom Right) Norwood Viviano, Mining Industries: Downtown Boston (Boston), 2015, rapid prototyped pattern kilncast glass, mirrored glass, fabricated steel and transparency. Collection of the artist, courtesy of Heller Gallery, New York. Photo by Tim Thayer/Robert Hensleigh, courtesy Heller Gallery, NY

The exhibition includes more than 70 objects showcasing a range of early and new works by each artist and will be on view Sept. 9 through Jan. 8, 2017. Nora Atkinson, the museum’s Lloyd Herman Curator of Craft, organized the exhibition. The artists were selected by Atkinson; Suzanne Ramljak, curator of exhibitions at the American Federation of Arts and editor at Metalsmith; and Anna Walker, the Windgate Foundation Curatorial Fellow for Contemporary Craft at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Lee’s porcelain works combine traditional Asian forms, inlay techniques and glazes with Western motifs and pop-culture references. His process often allows the clay forms to sink under their own weight in the kiln, creating dramatic “broken” silhouettes that can never be replicated. The resulting vessels embody equal parts mastery and chance, and reflect Lee’s own inquiries into the nature of perfection, the construction of identity and balancing tradition with personal expression.

Morgin’s unconventional trompe l’oeil ceramic sculptures and assemblages explore nostalgia, obsolescence and the American dream. Her works, ranging in scale from recreations of full-size cars and orchestral instruments to tiny knick-knacks and toys, appear as found objects but are in fact raw, unfired clay. Substituting paint and collage for the gloss of traditional ceramic glazes, Morgin achieves a garage-sale aesthetic in which thrift-store heroes like Popeye and Mighty Mouse preside and vintage playthings find new meaning. The sculptures represent a poignant investigation of the value of the old in a world intent on the new, invoking a sense of bygone innocence, loss and isolation.

Trask combines unexpected materials such as bone, butterfly wings, resin, metal and antique frame fragments to create jewelry and large-scale sculptures. Her lifelong fascination with biology, archaeology and anthropology inform lavish works celebrating the splendor of the natural world and exploring the ongoing tension between its wild and domesticated spheres, while visually recalling 17th-century Dutch vanitas paintings and Victorian wonder cabinets. Animal remains–antler, horn, teeth, tusk and bone–feature prominently in Trask’s work, evoking cycles of death, transformation and rebirth.

Viviano explores the rise and fall of American cities and industry through glass and metal sculptures. He combines data from LiDAR scan technology, antique maps and historical census data, and employs techniques as varied as bronze casting, kiln-fusing, glass blowing and 3-D printing to map fluctuations of growth and decline as industry and other forces exert pressure on populations. His work engages not only the geography but also the history of a place, imbuing each object with layers of information to tell stories of how urbanization, immigration and industry shape both personal and shared histories.

A series of free public programs will accompany the exhibition. Three of the artists discuss their work at the Renwick: Viviano Thursday, Oct. 13, at noon, Morgin Sunday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. and Trask Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m. Atkinson will present a gallery talk on the four artists Friday, Oct. 21, at noon. Additional information about programs is available online at www.americanart.si.edu/calendar.

An accompanying catalog co-published with D Giles Limited, London, includes a foreword by Broun and essays by Atkinson, Ramljak and Walker. It will be for sale in the museum’s store and online ($34.95, softcover). The Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family Foundation Endowment provides support for the “Renwick Invitational.” The Cohen Family’s generosity in creating this endowment makes possible this biennial series highlighting outstanding craft artists who are deserving of wider national recognition.

Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology Extended through September 5 at The Met

Lower Level Gallery View: Tailleur and Flou © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology at The Metropolitan Museum of Art has been extended by three weeks through Labor Day, Monday, September 5. The exhibition, organized by The Costume Institute, opened to the public on May 5, and has drawn more than 350,000 visitors in its first nine weeks. Originally scheduled to close on August 14, the exhibition explores how designers reconcile the handmade and the machine-made in the creation of haute couture and avant-garde ready-to-wear. It addresses the distinction between the hand (manus) and the machine (machina) as discordant tools in the creative process, and questions the changing delineation between the haute couture and ready-to-wear. 

Upper Level Gallery View: Embroidery © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ensemble, Raf Simons (Belgian, born 1968) for House of Dior (French, founded 1947), spring/summer 2015 haute couture; Courtesy of Christian Dior Haute Couture Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Dress, Iris van Herpen (Dutch, born 1984), autumn/winter 2013– 14 haute couture; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Purchase, Friends of The Costume Institute Gifts, 2015 (2016.14) Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

“With the transformation of the Robert Lehman Wing into a breathtaking cathedral to couture, we want to give as many people as possible the chance to experience this exhibition,” said Thomas P. Campbell, Director and CEO of The Met. “The show invites visitors to explore the artistry of over 170 haute couture and ready-to-wear ensembles. It is a wonderful way to discover the magic behind the making of fashion.”

Upper Level Gallery View: Artificial Flowers © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Upper Level Gallery View: Embroidery © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Upper Level Gallery View: Embroidery © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

To date, the exhibition’s attendance is just behind China: Through the Looking Glass (2015) and Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (2011), the Met’s fifth and eighth most popular exhibitions respectively, both of which were also extended. All three were curated by Andrew Bolton, now Curator in Change of The Costume Institute. China: Through the Looking Glass attracted 815,992 visitors in total, and Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty drew 661,509.

“Traditionally, the distinction between the haute couture and prêt-à-porter was based on the handmade and the machine-made, but recently this distinction has become increasingly blurred as both disciplines have embraced the practices and techniques of the other,” said Bolton. “Manus x Machina challenges the conventions of the hand/machine dichotomy and proposes a new paradigm germane to our age of technology.”

Manus x Machina features more than 170 examples of haute couture and avant-garde ready-to-wear, dating from the early 1900s to the present. The exhibition addresses the founding of the haute couture in the 19th century, when the sewing machine was invented, and the emergence of a distinction between the hand (manus) and the machine (machina) at the onset of industrialization and mass production. It explores this ongoing dichotomy, in which hand and machine are presented as discordant tools in the creative process, and questions this relationship and the significance of the long-held distinction between haute couture and ready-to-wear.

Wedding ensemble, Karl Lagerfeld (French, born Hamburg, 1938) for House of Chanel (French, founded 1913), autumn/winter 2014–15 haute couture, back view; Courtesy of CHANEL Patrimoine Collection Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Wedding ensemble, Karl Lagerfeld (French, born Hamburg, 1938) for House of Chanel (French, founded 1913), autumn/winter 2014–15 haute couture, back view; Courtesy of CHANEL Patrimoine Collection Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

The Robert Lehman Wing galleries, on the Museum’s first floor and ground level, have been transformed into a building-within-a-building using white scrims. The space houses a series of case studies in which haute couture and ready-to-wear ensembles are decoded to reveal their hand/machine DNA. A 2014 haute couture wedding dress by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel with a 20-foot train occupies a central cocoon, with details of its embroidery projected onto the domed ceiling. The scuba knit ensemble, one of the inspirations for the exhibition, stands as a superlative example of the confluence between the handmade and the machine-made–the pattern on the train was hand-painted with gold metallic pigment, machine-printed with rhinestones, and hand-embroidered with pearls and gemstones.

Upper Level Gallery View: Artificial Flowers Case Study Wedding Ensemble, Karl Lagerfeld (French, born Hamburg, 1938) for House of Chanel (French, founded 1913), autumn/winter 2005–6 haute couture, back view; Courtesy of CHANEL Patrimoine Collection © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dress, Nicolas Ghesquière (French, born 1971) for House of Balenciaga (French, founded 1937), spring/summer 2003 prêtà- porter; Courtesy of Balenciaga Archives, Paris Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

Wedding Ensemble, Karl Lagerfeld (French, born Hamburg, 1938) for House of Chanel (French, founded 1913), autumn/winter 2005–6 haute couture; Courtesy of CHANEL Patrimoine Collection Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

The exhibition is structured around the traditional métiers of the haute couture. The first floor unfolds as a series of alcoves, examining the petites mains workshops of embroidery, featherwork, and artificial flowers. The ground floor space is arranged as an enfilade, examining pleating, lacework, and leatherwork. A room dedicated to toiles and the ateliers of tailoring (tailleur) and dressmaking (flou)—the traditional division of a maison de couture—anchors the ground-floor gallery. On both floors, traditional hand techniques are discussed alongside innovative technologies such as 3-D printing, computer modeling, bonding and laminating, laser cutting, and ultrasonic welding.

Designers in the exhibition include Cristobal Balenciaga, Boué Soeurs, Sarah Burton (Alexander McQueen), Pierre Cardin, Hussein Chalayan, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli (Valentino), André Courrèges, Giles Deacon, Christian Dior, Alber Elbaz (Lanvin), Mariano Fortuny, John Galliano (Christian Dior, Maison Margiela), Jean Paul Gaultier, Nicolas Ghesquière (Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton), Hubert de Givenchy, Madame Grès, Halston, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough (Proenza Schouler), Iris van Herpen, Marc Jacobs (Louis Vuitton), Charles James, Christopher Kane, Mary Katrantzou, Rei Kawakubo (Comme des Garçons), Junko Koshino, Karl Lagerfeld (Chanel), Helmut Lang, Louise Boulanger, Mary McFadden, Alexander McQueen (Givenchy), Issey Miyake, Noir Kei Ninomiya (Comme des Garçons), Norman Norell, Jean Patou, Miuccia Prada, Paul Poiret, Gareth Pugh, Paco Rabanne, Noa Raviv, Yves Saint Laurent (Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent), Raf Simons (Christian Dior), Maiko Takeda, Riccardo Tisci (Givenchy), threeASFOUR, Madeleine Vionnet, Catherine Wales, Junya Watanabe (Comme des Garçons), Yohji Yamamoto, and others.

Dress, Christopher Kane (British, born 1982), spring/summer 2014 prêt-à-porter; Courtesy of Christopher Kane. Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Photo © Nicholas Alan Cope

On July 22, MetFridays: Extreme Measures (5–9 pm) will include a number of related activities, including a special Drop-in Drawing session featuring live models wearing clothing inspired by the exhibition, a wearable art-making program on creating extreme hair accessories, and a participatory nail art workshop.

Manus x Machina is organized by Bolton. Shohei Shigematsu, Director of OMA New York, led the exhibition design in collaboration with The Met’s Design Department. The exhibition is made possible by Apple. Additional support is provided by Condé Nast.

Lane Bryant Announces Collaboration With Ready-To-Wear Designer Prabal Gurung

Lane Bryant has announced that American ready-to-wear designer Prabal Gurung will be creating a limited-edition line of women’s fashion with his signature style exclusively for the plus size retailer. The collection is set to hit stores March 2017, and will be sold under the Prabal Gurung Exclusively for Lane Bryant label. A focus on quality and innovation has placed Gurung at the forefront of American Fashion.

“Prabal is a master at mixing materials, fabrics and textures – he pulls it off in such a way that each piece becomes its own artistic statement. His ingenuity at mixing sporty ease with unabashed glamour has made his label a huge success. We are delighted to welcome him to Lane Bryant and offer his innovative fashions, spirit and unique styles to the Lane Bryant customer,” said Linda Heasley, CEO of Lane Bryant.

Prabal Gurung’s design philosophy embraces modern luxury with great style and glamour. His eye for easy elegance on the runway and an appreciation for innovation and craftsmanship season after season has created a brand that celebrities, dignitaries, and well dressed women admire globally. Bringing a modern and unique vision, Prabal Gurung will be the fifth designer collaborator for Lane Bryant joining the successful Christian Siriano, Lela Rose, Sophie Theallet and Isabel Toledo collections.

The Prabal Gurung brand launched in February 2009 with a philosophy encompassing modern luxury, indelible style and an astute sense of glamour. Born in Singapore and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Gurung brings worldly influences to his designs. Prabal Gurung chooses to manufacture over 80% of his collection in New York City to uphold standards of quality while supporting the local community. The brand recognizes the importance of domestic production, particularly in respect to the quality of the finished product, and helps to bring this awareness to an international audience.

In addition, for the first time, Lane Bryant will document the process from the design studio until the time it merchandises in store through a series of taped webisodes that will be available on all Lane Bryant social media.

Prabal Gurung adds, “Designing clothes for the modern woman, one who is fashionable and unafraid of how she feels about herself, has always been my source for inspiration. I truly believe that confidence is the key and I continually strive to create clothing that allows women to look and feel their absolute best. I am thrilled to be working with Lane Bryant on this collaboration and look forward to dressing this bold and fashionable customer.”

About Prabal Gurung: Please visit www.prabalgurung.com for more information.

The Whitney To Debut Carmen Herrera: Lines Of Sight, Opening September 16

This fall, The Whitney Museum Of American Art will present Carmen Herrera: Lines of Sight, the first museum exhibition of this groundbreaking artist in New York City in nearly two decades. Focusing on the years 1948–1978, the period during which Herrera developed her signature, hard-edged style, the exhibition will situate Herrera’s pioneering abstract work in its proper place in the history of twentieth century art.

Carmen Herrera, Blanco y Verde, 1967.Acrylic on canvas, 40 × 70 in. (101.6 × 177.8 cm). Private Collection, New York. Art © Carmen Herrera

Carmen Herrera: Lines of Sight features more than fifty works, including paintings, three-dimensional works, and works on paper. Organized by Dana Miller, until recently the Richard DeMartini Family Curator and Director of the Collection at the Whitney, in close collaboration with the artist, the exhibition will be on view at the Whitney from September 16, 2016, through January 2, 2017, and at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio, from February 4 through April 16, 2017.

“Herrera has been painting for more than seven decades, though it is only over the past decade or so that acclaim for her work has catapulted the artist to international prominence. This overdue evaluation offers the first comprehensive look at her early career, the result of time spent in the art worlds of Havana, Paris, and New York,” explained Miller.

Carmen Herrera, Green and Orange, 1958. Acrylic on canvas, 60 × 72 in. (152.4 × 182.9 cm). Cejas Art Ltd. Paul and Trudy Cejas © Carmen Herrera

Carmen Herrera: Lines of Sight is comprised of three sections, organized in rough chronological sequence. The first section features earlier works from the formative period, 1948–1958, during which Herrera experimented with different modes of abstraction before establishing the visual language that she would explore with great nuance for the succeeding five decades. Featuring more than a dozen paintings made while Herrera lived in Paris (1948–1953) in the years following World War II, many of these works have never been displayed before in a museum. It was during this period that Herrera developed her distinctive style of geometric abstraction, moving towards cleaner lines and a reduced palette. Crucially, she also began using the edges of the canvas and the frame as compositional elements.

An unprecedented gathering of works from what Herrera considers her most important series, Blanco y Verde, comprise the second section and this room will serve as the centerpiece of the exhibition. The nine paintings from the series, spanning the years 1959–1971, illustrate the groundbreaking ways in which Herrera conceptualized her paintings as objects, using the physical structure of the canvas as a compositional tool and integrating the surrounding environment. These Blanco y Verde works will be isolated in their own gallery, illuminating the various compositional twists and inflections of the dichromatic works and creating a dynamic interplay of visual correspondences.

Carmen Herrera, Untitled, 1948. Acrylic on canvas, 48 × 38 in. (121.9 × 96.5 cm). Collection of Yolanda Santos. Art © Carmen Herrera

The final section will feature work dating from approximately 1962–1978, illuminating Herrera’s continued experimentation with figure/ground relationships. Also included in this section are four sculptural works, which Herrera refers to as “estructuras.” These wooden works, alongside several drawings from the 1960s, will illustrate the crucial architectural aspect of her vision and the way in which many of Herrera’s paintings begin with a three-dimensional concept. The latest works in this section will be seven vivid paintings that comprise her brilliant Days of the Week series from 1975–78.

Born May 30, 1915, in Havana, Cuba, Carmen Herrera was educated in Havana and Paris, studying art, art history, and architecture. In 1939 she married an American, Jesse Loewenthal, and moved to New York City, where she attended classes at the Art Students League and was a frequent visitor to the Whitney Museum of American Art. From 1948 to 1953, Herrera and Loewenthal lived in Paris, where she became associated with an international group of artists, the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles. Herrera exhibited her work with them regularly and developed a distilled, geometric style of abstraction, reducing her palette to three colors for each composition, then further to two. Herrera’s hard-edged canvases emerged at the same time that Ellsworth Kelly, whose time in France overlapped with Herrera’s, began producing his own abstractions and around the same time that Frank Stella began producing his famous black paintings.

Herrera’s ascetic compositions, which prefigured the development of Minimalism by almost a decade, did not find a warm reception when she returned to New York in 1954, a time when Abstract Expressionism still reigned supreme. As both a woman and an immigrant, Herrera faced significant discrimination in the art world; yet she persisted, and continued to paint for the next six decades, only rarely exhibiting her work publicly. Today, at the age of 101, Herrera continues to work almost every day in her studio, and her oeuvre demonstrates a disciplined but highly sophisticated exploration of color and form. As she once stated, “I believe that I will always be in awe of the straight line, its beauty is what keeps me painting.” Since the late 1990s Herrera has garnered increasing attention for her work, selling her first painting in 2004. The last significant museum presentation of Herrera’s work in this country was a 2005 show at Miami Art Central, which was preceded only by a 1998 show of her black and white paintings at El Museo del Barrio and a 1985 show at The Alternative Museum, both in New York. Her first monographic presentation in Europe was held at the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham, England, in 2009, which then traveled to Museum Pfalzgalerie, Kaiserslautern, Germany. In the last decade, the Museum of Modern Art, Walker Art Center, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and Tate Modern have all acquired works by the artist.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully-illustrated catalogue, with essays by Miller as well as Serge Lemoine, emeritus professor at the Sorbonne and former chief curator and director of the Musée d’Orsay; Gerardo Mosquera, art historian, critic, and curator based in Havana and Madrid; and Edward J. Sullivan, Helen Gould Sheppard Professor in the History of Art, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. The catalogue will also contain an illustrated chronology by Monica Espinel.

Major support is provided by the Barnett and Annalee Newman Foundation and the National Committee of the Whitney Museum of American Art. Generous support is provided by the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Inc.; Tony Bechara; Tom and Lisa Blumenthal; and The Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation. Additional support is provided by Estrellita and Daniel Brodsky, The Cowles Charitable Trust, Sondra Gilman and Celso Gonzalez-Falla, Agnes Gund, the Elizabeth A. Sackler Museum Educational Trust, and an anonymous donor. Significant endowment support is provided by Sueyun and Gene Locks.

London-based Lingerie Brand Produces the World’s Most Diverse Campaign to Date

Fuller Bust lingerie brand Curvy Kate, have launched what could be the world’s most inclusive campaign to date, using a diverse range of women to model the latest collection, Scantilly. The campaign named #theNewSexy, introduces 8 powerful female role models, including an Alopecia sufferer, a transgender woman, an amputee and recovered anorexic.

The campaign named #theNewSexy, introduces 8 powerful female role models, including an Alopecia sufferer, a transgender woman, an amputee and recovered anorexic. Scantilly by Curvy Kate’s third collection will be available starting this month at http://www.curvykate.com, http://www.Debenhams.com and http://www.Figleaves.com.

Challenging social ‘norms’, #TheNewSexy calls for women of all shapes, backgrounds and sizes to be represented in the media and looks to redefine how society views the word ‘sexy’. The company, who since launch have never employed a professional model, choosing to celebrate their customers instead, looked to social media to find the eclectic mix of role models to wear the new boudoir collection.

In recent years the modeling and fashion industries has been under scrutiny due to the lack of diversity promoted in advertisements. A report by ‘The Fashion Spot’ stated that out of 422 models involved in the largest Spring Summer 2016 campaigns only 21.8% were of color, 1.4% were above a size 12 and zero transgender models was used. Scantilly hope that their continued use of customer role models will hail a new era for diversity in the fashion industry.

Head of PR and Marketing, Hannah Isichei states, “It’s important for us as a brand to speak to as many women as possible through our campaigns. We know our customers don’t all look the same so why should our models? Why should boudoir lingerie just be reserved for a handful of society? We want women to look at our products and see them on a body they can relate to. Scantilly lingerie is for every woman and every body, so it’s important that our models reflect this attitude.”

The Models For The Campaign Are:

This campaign sees a variety of women from different walks of life such as former Anorexic and body positive activist, MEGAN CRABBE. The 23 year old, who suffered with Anorexia Nervosa since the age of 14, has recently made a name for herself due to her successful blog ‘BodyPosiPanda’ and body-positive social presence. Megan, who at her thinnest weighed just 62 lbs now encourages her followers to be happy with their bodies by posting bikini and ‘belly roll’ pictures of herself, proving recovery is possible.

Megan states: “I spent a long time believing that feeling confident or sexy was reserved for people with the ‘perfect’ body, and that the rest of us didn’t deserve it. Modelling for Scantilly after beating years of body insecurities was personally empowering and so much fun. This campaign shows anyone with body image issues that we are ALL worthy of confidence, all sizes, all skin colours, all abilities. It’s exactly the kind of diverse representation we need to help us all see our unique beauty a bit more clearly.“

STEPHANIA VAN CLUYSEN: Stephania or ‘Effie’, 21, was born a male, but now lives her life as a female after undergoing gender reassignment surgery in 2015. Effie described growing up in Belgium as ‘difficult’ saying she felt like a female from her very first memory. Her mother who fully supported her decision even visited the doctor when ‘Jordie’, as Effie was formally known, was only 3 years old saying, “My son is a girl”. Effie who received years of abuse and ridicule from the public and school peers, wants to show that she is a beautiful women who deserves to be celebrated.

Stephania states, “I’m Transgender and because of this, I worried whether people would accept me or not, but really the most important person to accept me was myself – And I’m so glad that I did. The thing is, not everyone should look the same and if they did there wouldn’t be a ‘sexy’. We need a mix of people! Everybody has the right to feel ok with themselves and if the media show a wide range of women – different races, heights, sizes, ages and abilities then the girls looking at the models in the magazines and wishing to be them, will feel way more at ease with who they are. If they see someone who looks like them, they may be less likely to want to change.“

TAYLOR CRISP: Taylor, an amputee from Leicester has recently flown the flag for disabled people everywhere by modeling in the campaign, while proudly displaying her prosthetic leg. Crisp, 21, was born with FFU (Femur Fibula Ulna) syndrome meaning she had severe defeats with the development of her right leg, including having no knee cap, no ankle joint, and no proper hip socket. Many years of constant surgery and struggles meant that by the age of 11, Taylor’s leg was so damaged she had her leg amputated and was required to live life with a prosthetic limb. 10 years on and Taylor has recently been told that she will no longer to be able to walk without the aid of crutches but she’s not going to let it stop her.

Four Seasons Resort Hualālai Presents Chef Fest 2016

Signature Annual Event Brings Celebrity Chefs To Hawaii For The Ultimate Culinary Celebration Of Cooking Classes, Extraordinary Dining And Interactive Experiences

Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, the first and only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star hotel on Hawaii Island, announces Chef Fest, a celebration of high-profile dinners, interactive cooking classes and culinary experiences. Taking place November 9-12, 2016 Chef Fest features today’s top celebrity chefs Matthew Accarrino, George Hastings, Jessica Koslow, Ludo Lefebvre, George Mendes and Seamus Mullen cooking, teaching and entertaining in an intimate, luxurious and relaxed beach setting. (PRNewsFoto/Four Seasons Resort Hualalai)

Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, the first and only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star hotel on Hawaii Island, announces Chef Fest, part of the Four Seasons Food and Wine Series. A celebration of high-profile dinners, interactive cooking classes and culinary experiences, the series of events will be held at the Resort November 9-12, 2016 and features some of today’s top celebrity chefs coming together to cook, teach and entertain in an intimate and relaxed beach setting.

Massimo Falsini (executive chef, Four Seasons Resort Hualālai) welcomes an impressive lineup of award-winning celebrity guest chefs, including:

Matthew Accarrino (SPQR – San Francisco); Michelin Star; Food & Wine Best New Chefs; author of SPQR cookbook

Chris Hastings (Hot and Hot Fish Club, OvenBird – Birmingham, AL); James Beard Award; Robert Mondavi Culinary Award of Excellence; Iron Chef America; author of The Hot and Hot Fish Club Cookbook)

Jessica Koslow (Sqirl, Sqirl Away – Los Angeles, CA); Star Chefs Rising Star; Eater L.A.’s Chef of the Year; author of Everything I want to Eat (2016)

Ludo Lefebvre (Trois Mec, Petit Trois, Trois Familia, LudoBird – Los Angeles, CA); Chevalier de Arts des Lettres award; Relais & Chateaux – World’s 50 Greatest Chefs; The Taste, Top Chef Masters; author of LudoBites, Recipes and Stories from the Pop-Up Restaurants of Ludo Lefebvre and Crave, A Feast of the Five Senses

George Mendes (Aldea, Lupulo – New York City); Michelin Star; Food & Wine Best New Chefs, Top Chef Masters; author of My Portugal: Recipes and Stories

Seamus Mullen (Tertulia, El Colmado, El Colmado Butchery – New York City, Sea Containers – London); Chopped, The Next Iron Chef; author of Hero Food

Cyrille Pannier (executive chef, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills)

Christof Syre (executive chef, Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas)

Master Sommeliers Roberto Viernes and Richard Betts from Southern Wine & Spirits will be on hand for wine events and dinners, as well as noted mixologists Julie Reiner and Kyle Reutner.

“Chef Fest is such a special week here at the Resort, where our guests are able to experience the flavors, talents and personalities of some very special guest chefs, wine and spirits experts,” says Robert Whitfield, regional vice president and general manager of Four Seasons Resort Hualālai. “The energy and excitement is in the air, and these events are truly some of the most fun, intimate and indulgent experiences available anywhere – only matched by the setting and aloha of Hualālai.”

The line-up of events (schedule subject to change) is as follows:

Wednesday, November 9: 
6:00 p.m. – Chef Fest Grand Tasting: Join and mingle with our guest chefs as they attend action stations, each presenting small plates paired with wine. This reception-style event is a chance to meet the chefs, winemakers and partners of Chef Fest (as well as local farmers) and taste the bounty of Hawaii Island. Hoku Amphitheater,$85

Thursday, November 10:
8:00 a.m. – Paddle (stand-up and outrigger) and Brunch with chefs. Alaka’i Nalu, $50
11: 00 a.m. – Interactive Cooking Class with Chris Hastings. ‘ULU, $95
2:00 p.m. – Interactive Cooking Class with Seamus Mullen. ‘ULU, $95
4:00 p.m. – Rare Wine Tasting of BOND Estates with director Scott Gould. ‘ULU, $250
6:00 p.m. – Chef Fest Reception & Dinner (Matthew Accarrino, Ludo Lefebvre, George Mendes, Cyrille Pannier and Massimo Falsini.) Beach Tree, $175 with wine

Friday, November 11: 
11:00 a.m. – Interactive Cooking Class & Lunch with Matthew Accarrino. Beach Tree, $95
2:00 p.m. – Interactive Cooking Class with George Mendes. ‘ULU, $95
6:00 p.m. – Chef Fest Reception & Beach Cookout (Chris Hastings, Jessica Koslow,  Seamus Mullen, Christof Syre and Massimo Falsini.) Kumukea Beach, $175 with wine and cocktails

Saturday, November 12: 
11:30 a.m. – Interactive Cooking Class with Ludo Lefebvre. ‘ULU, $95
2:00 p.m. – Interactive Cooking Class with Jessica Koslow. ‘ULU, $95
6:00 p.m. – Chef Fest Reception, Gala Dinner & After-Party featuring all chefs and guest winemaker. ‘ULU,$250 with wine

Guests are invited to book the Taste of Chef Fest package: Five-night package: available between November 6 – November 15, 2016, includes luxurious accommodations in Ocean View and above room categories; and a Resort Credit of $750, which guests may apply towards any of the Chef Fest events throughout the week.

This year’s sponsors include HILuxury; Patrón; Southern Wine & Spirits; Stolichnaya; and United Airlines.

More information on Chef Fest can be found at www.foodandwinehualalai.com. For reservations, please call toll-free (888) 340-5662, contact your travel professional (chain code FS) or visit the Resort online.

ALL-NEW FOUR SEASONS HOTEL JAKARTA NOW OPEN AT CAPITAL PLACE

• Exclusive, all-suites hotel in prestigious Capital Place, with easy access to Jakarta’s business and commercial areas

• An array of all-new food and beverage concepts

• Luxurious spa complex with resort-style outdoor pool

• State-of-the-art meeting and event spaces

• Signature Four Seasons service with warm Indonesian hospitality

While today’s travelers are more likely to arrive in Jakarta by commercial aircraft or private jet, the city has long welcomed the world as one of history’s most storied marine ports.  Now, the start of a new era in Indonesian hospitality begins with the much-anticipated opening of the all-new Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta.

Welcome to the Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta

The opening of Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta begins the latest chapter in the company’s story in Indonesia.  Starting with its first Balinese resort on the shores of Jimbaran Bay in 1993, Four Seasons opened the original Jakarta location two years later.  A second resort in Bali in the Ayung River Valley followed in 1998 and soon the pair became a mainstay on the lists of the world’s best resorts.  Today, Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta continues the tradition of hospitality first established in the city more than 20 years ago, welcoming back both international travelers and local clientele with an all-new hotel in a new location on Jalan Gatot Subroto.

“Jakarta is a very big, very busy city that simply never stops – and Four Seasons feeds on that energy, optimism and uniquely Indonesian friendliness and flair,” says General Manager Christian Poda, who leads of team of 250 carefully selected local and international staff. “We’ve created this beautiful new Hotel with every possible luxury, and now we are thrilled to finally welcome our first guests and really bring it to life.”

Lobby, Grand Staircase and Entrance to The Palm Court

Ideally situated on Jalan Gatot Subroto within the city’s Central Business District, the all-new Capital Place, an award-winning architectural landmark by César Pelli, is home to leading businesses, and now, the stunning new Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta.  With its excellent dining options, sumptuously appointed spa and handsome event spaces, it promises to be the preferred address of the city’s elite, as well as business and leisure travelers from around the world.

Grand Staircase

Internationally-renowned interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud was inspired by Jakarta’s long-established position on the global stage, and by its commercial trading history and the influence of many cultures on its character, in particular Indonesia’s Dutch colonial period.  From the moment one enters the soaring lobby with its grand staircase lit by a magnificent crystal chandelier, a classical European aesthetic is reflected in the color palettes, materials and finishes, fine furnishings and sophisticated lighting.

With its complete commitment to showcasing the art of Indonesia, Four Seasons presents throughout its public and private spaces a carefully-curated collection of works by contemporary and historic artists.  The city itself is the theme connecting the diverse collection, creatively depicting and interpreting its landmarks, history and culture.

Although strategically placed amid the city’s financial and business hubs, Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta has an element of urban resort style as brought to life by the landscape design of Bill Bensley.  Known for his expertise in creating lush outdoor spaces with exotic flora, water features and resort-like terraces and open-air rooms, Bensley’s signature style is particularly well known to travelers who have visited Four Seasons resorts in Thailand.

Guest Suite

Guest Suite (Living Room)

One’s Own Pied-à-Terre in Jakarta: Intimately scaled with just 125 accommodations, the all-suites Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta feels as much a luxurious residence as a modern hotel.  With sliding pocket doors separating sleeping areas from living areas, guests are free to settle in and make each suite their own – whether setting up a workspace and hosting impromptu meetings with colleagues, booking an adjacent suite so the whole family can enjoy a weekend in the city, or closing the doors on a long day of sightseeing, shopping or working and simply falling into quiet slumber.

National Geographic Announces 2016 Travel Photographer of the Year

A photograph of a horseman in Inner Mongolia has earned Anthony Lau of Hong Kong the prestigious title of 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year. Lau, whose photo was selected from thousands of entries, also wins a seven-day Polar Bear Photo Safari for two at Churchill Wild–Seal River Heritage Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World.

“Winter Horseman,” The winning photo by Anthony Lau of Hong Kong

Lau took the photo, titled “Winter Horseman,” in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China after an early morning hike. He and his travel companions were driving back to their hotel for breakfast when they came across a team of riders showing off their skills.

“The snow was getting heavier, the wind was getting stronger, the morning snow was getting thinner and the light was moving away from its optimal position,” Lau said. “I knew I only had a couple of shots to get the best out of this encounter. With a bit of luck, one of my final attempts managed to capture the moment when one of the riders charged out from the morning mist along with his horses.”

National Geographic Travel photography captures the awe-inspiring diversity of the world’s people, places and cultures. This contest recognizes the most compelling travel photography taken in the past two years, with entries in three categories: Nature, People and Cities.

First-, second- and third-place prizes were awarded in each category. Lau’s photo placed first in the People category, while Takashi Nakagawa of Tokyo took top honors in the Cities category for his photo “Ben Youssef,” and “Wherever you go, I will follow you!!” shot by Hiroki Inoue of Hokkaido, Japan, led the field in Nature.

First-place winners received a Sony a6300 camera supplied by B&H Photo, second-place winners received National Geographic’s The Art of Travel Photography course on DVD and third-place winners received a National Geographic book. All winners received a subscription to National Geographic Traveler magazine. The winning photos may be viewed online on the National Geographic Travel website.

“We are thrilled to name Anthony Lau as our first-ever National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year,” said George Stone, editor in chief of National Geographic Travel. “We were blown away by the entries we received from around the world, and it’s clear our passion for visual storytelling is shared by our readers.”

Anne Farrar, director of photography for National Geographic Travel, was joined on the judging panel by Corey Arnold, contributing photographer for National Geographic Magazine, and Foster Huntington, a photographer and filmmaker.

As grand-prize winner, Lau will embark on a seven-day Polar Bear Photo Safari at Churchill Wild–Seal River Heritage Lodge, where guests can settle into a cozy lodge on the banks of the Hudson Bay, and head out on guided excursions by foot to photograph polar bears and other wildlife against a dramatic landscape of snow and ice. Guests will also enjoy incredible cuisine and stories around the fireplace, and then step into the night to capture the mesmerizing northern lights. The trip is provided by National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World, a collection of extraordinary properties that are selected for the outstanding guest service and experiences they offer, and for their leadership in sustainable tourism and commitment to protecting cultural and natural heritage.

National Geographic Travel creates authentic, meaningful and engaging travel experiences through National Geographic Traveler magazine; National Geographic Expeditions; National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World; travel books; maps; digital travel content; and travel photography programs. National Geographic Traveler (six issues per year) is the world’s most widely read travel magazine and has 16 local-language editions. National Geographic Expeditions offers a variety of unique travel experiences led by top experts to more than 80 destinations across all seven continents. Travel opportunities include family and student expeditions, active adventures, journeys with G Adventures, private jet trips and voyages on the six expedition ships in the National Geographic-Lindblad fleet, as well as photography workshops, expeditions and seminars. The National Geographic Travel digital group, shares its inspiring and authoritative digital content such as trip ideas, photo galleries, blogs and apps with its @NatGeoTravel community of 14 million. National Geographic Travel books bring readers curated travel advice, photography and insider tips.

“Sword Art Online The Movie – Ordinal Scale” Coming to Movie Theaters in Spring of 2017 for Nationwide First-run Release

“Sword Art Online The Movie – Ordinal Scale” Key Visual

Sword Art Online, the mega anime hit that has sold 16.7 million copies worldwide, will come back as an animated feature with a brand new original story by author, Reki Kawahara. Based on the wildly popular light novels published in Kadokawa’s Dengeki Bunko, Sword Art Online The Movie – Ordinal Scale is set to be released nationwide in spring of 2017. Since the first volume of the novel was published in April 2009, the series has proved extremely popular, spawning two TV anime adaptations, video games, comic books, and merchandise.

Preview still Image from “Sword Art Online The Movie – Ordinal Scale” Coming to Movie Theaters in Spring of 2017

The series takes place in the near-future and focuses on various virtual reality MMORPG worlds. In 2022, a Virtual Reality Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online (SAO) is released. With the NerveGear, a helmet that stimulates the user’s five senses via their brain, players can experience and control their in-game characters with their minds. On November 6, 10,000 players log into the SAO’s mainframe cyberspace for the first time and discover that they are unable to log-out. They quickly discover from Akihiko Kayaba, the creator of SAO and NerveGear, they must reach the 100th floor of the game’s castle and defeat the final boss if they wish to be free. Those who suffer in-game destruction or remove the NerveGear out-of-game will result in their real-life deaths.

One of the players, Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya, is one of the 1,000 beta testers in the game’s previous closed beta. With the advantage of previous VR gaming experience and a drive to protect other beta testers from discrimination he isolates himself from the greater group and plays the game alone, bearing the mantle of “beater”, or “beta cheater”. As the players progress through the game Kirito eventually befriends a young girl named Asuna Yūki, forming a relationship with and later marrying her in-game. After the duo discover the identity of Kayaba’s program Heathcliff in SAO, who was discovered to be the leader of the guild Asuna joined in, they confront and destroy him, freeing themselves and the other players from the game.

In the real world, Kirito discovers that 300 SAO players, including Asuna, remain trapped in their NerveGear. Several months later, he is informed by Agil, another SAO survivor, that a figure similar to Asuna was spotted on a giant tree (known as “The World Tree”) in another VRMMORPG cyberspace called Alfheim Online (ALO). Assisted in-game by his cousin Suguha “Leafa” Kirigaya and Yui, a navigation pixie, he quickly learns that the trapped players in ALO are part of an evil plan conceived by Nobuyuki Sugō to perform illegal experiments on their minds. The ultimate goal is to perfect mind-control for financial gain and to subjugate Asuna, whom he intends to marry in the real world, to assume control of her family’s corporation. Kirito eventually stops the experiment and rescues the remaining 300 SAO players, foiling Sugō’s plans. Before leaving ALO to see Asuna, Kayaba, who has uploaded his mind to the Internet using an experimental and destructively high-power version of NerveGear at the cost of his life, entrusts Kirito with The Seed – a package program designed to create virtual worlds. Kirito eventually reunites with Asuna in the real world and The Seed is released onto the Internet, reviving the VRMMO industry.

Soon after, at the prompting of a government official investigating strange occurrences in VR, Kirito takes on a job to investigate a series of murders involving another VRMMORPG called Gun Gale Online (GGO), the AmuSphere (the successor of the NerveGear), and a player called Death Gun. Aided by a female player named Shino “Sinon” Asada, he participates in a gunfight tournament called the Bullet of Bullets (BoB) and discovers the truth behind the murders, which originated with a player who participated in player-killing in SAO. Through his and Sinon’s efforts, two suspects are captured, though the third suspect, Johnny Black, escapes.

Kirito is later recruited to assist in testing an experimental FullDive machine, Soul Translator (STL), which has an interface that is far more realistic and complex than the previous machine he had played to help develop an artificial intelligence for the Ministry of Defense (MOD) named A.L.I.C.E. He tests the STL by entering a Virtual Reality cyberspace created with The Seed package, named UnderWorld (UW). In the UW, the flow of time proceeds a thousand times faster than in the real world, and Kirito’s memories of what happens inside are restricted. However, Black critically injures Kirito with suxamethonium chloride but the MOD recovers Kirito and places him back into the STL to preserve his mind while attempts are made to save him.