New Exhibition “Designed For Drama: Fashion From The Classics” Coming To Biltmore House In 2017

A collection of classic literary works and the popular movies that brought them to life will be celebrated in “Designed for Drama: Fashion from the Classics,” Biltmore’s newest exhibition of award-winning costumes and objects from the Biltmore Collection. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, Biltmore House was the vision of George W. Vanderbilt. Designed by Richard Morris Hunt, America’s largest home is a 250-room French Renaissance chateau, exhibiting the Vanderbilt family’s original collection of furnishings, art and antiques. The Biltmore Estate encompasses more than 8,000 acres including renowned gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alicia Vikander in a scene from “Anna Karenina.” Costumes from the film will be on display in Biltmore House when “Designed for Drama: Fashion from the Classics” opens on Feb. 10, 2017. © 2012 Universal Pictures Limited

Set for Feb. 10 through July 4, 2017, the exhibition is inspired by favorite stories in George Vanderbilt’s 22,000-volume library. More than 40 elaborate costumes from recent films will be displayed in Biltmore House, including a costume worn by Robert Downey Jr. in “Sherlock Holmes,” and Nicole Kidman’s Isabel Archer costume from “The Portrait of a Lady.”

The costume worn by Nicole Kidman in “The Portrait of a Lady” will be on display in Biltmore House when “Designed for Drama: Fashion from the Classics” opens on Feb. 10, 2017. © 1996 Universal Pictures Limited

The film fashions, revealing the attention to detail involved in period costume design, will be displayed along with the original books from Vanderbilt’s library that served as cinematic inspiration.

Vanderbilt began to read at a very young age, and years later he was once dubbed by New York media as “one of the best read men in the country.” At age 12, he started keeping a record of books read, numbered consecutively, including the title and author of each work completed. These journals log 38 years and 3,159 books, and will be on display during this exhibition.

A page from George Vanderbilt’s journal, “Books I Have Read.” Vanderbilt was an avid reader all of his life. By the time of his death at the age of 51, he had listed 3,159 books in his journal. “Books I Have Read” will be on display in Biltmore House as part of an exhibit when “Designed for Drama: Fashion from the Classics” opens on Feb. 10, 2017.

The exhibition will also give insight into the eclectic and varied interests that led Vanderbilt to collect more than 22,000 volumes before his death.

Arthur Rackham illustration of “Looking Very Undancey Indeed,” from the book “Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens” by J.M. Barrie. The book is from George Vanderbilt’s library and will be on display in Biltmore House as part of the exhibit, “Designed for Drama: Fashion from the Classics,” opening on Feb. 10, 2017.

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, an original book from George Vanderbilt’s library, will be on display in Biltmore House as part of the exhibit, “Designed for Drama: Fashion from the Classics,” opening on Feb. 10, 2017.

Today, Biltmore has grown to include Antler Hill Village, which features the award-winning Winery and Antler Hill Farm; The Inn on Biltmore Estate; Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate; Equestrian Center; numerous restaurants; event and meeting venues; and Biltmore For Your Home, the company’s licensed products division.

Admission to “Designed for Drama: Fashion from the Classics,” is included in the general admission ticket price. For more information about Biltmore, visit www.biltmore.com/designedfordrama. To learn more about Biltmore, go to www.biltmore.com or call 877-BILTMORE.

Saks Fifth Avenue Partners With Mastercard To Present A Candy-Colored Wonderland For The Holidays

Saks Fifth Avenue Transforms Into a Land of 1000 Delights

This holiday season, Saks Fifth Avenue will become a Land of 1000 Delights, an enchanting landscape of colorful candy and festive fashion that will appear in all 41 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Jumbo swirl lollipops, whipped cotton candy and mounds of rock candy are just some of the delicious décor that will trickle into each store’s visual displays, creating an irresistible destination for fantastical gifts.

Saks Fifth Avenue will transform its New York flagship store into a Land of 1000 Delights on Monday, Nov. 21 with the unveiling of its iconic animated holiday windows on Fifth Avenue, presented by Mastercard. The store will debut a new multicolored, ten-story-tall theatrical light show on the front façade of the building, accompanied by 85 dancers from the American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School Pre-Professional Division dancing to a rendition of the famous The Nutcracker Suite. The captivating windows, electrifying light show and colorful candy décor will live in store and online throughout the holiday season.

“Land of 1000 Delights is truly a candy-colored wonderland—one of the most fantastical holiday displays that I have ever seen,” said Mark Briggs, executive vice president, creative, HBC. “My team and I had so much fun creating this delectable concept, and we cannot wait for customers and visitors alike to enjoy Saks’ sweet holiday sensation.”

Customers will be able to visit the Mastercard “Wheel of Delights” on the Ninth Floor of the flagship store from Nov. 21 through Dec. 24 to spin the wheel for the chance to win special prizes.

The New York window unveiling of Land of 1000 Delights will be live-streamed via Saks.com for audiences around the world to enjoy. The online event, presented by Mastercard, will take place on Monday, Nov. 21 at 6:45 p.m. ET.

CANDY COUTURE DRESSES

In addition to the New York flagship’s six animated windows on Fifth Avenue, it will display a series of “Candy Couture” dresses in the windows on 49th and 50th Streets. Each lavish dress, created by a notable designer, will be evocative of a favorite holiday treat, including cotton candy, peppermint sticks, and cake frosting. The windows will include bespoke pieces from Erdem, Carolina Herrera, Marchesa and Jason Wu, as well as candy-inspired spring 2017 looks from Rosie Assoulin, Naeem Khan, Alexander McQueen, and Jonathan Simkhai.

2016 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Whether shopping for big indulgences or little luxuries, customers can find impeccable presents in the 143-page ultimate Saks Holiday Gift Guide. Customers can pick up a copy of the gift guide in stores or view the digital version on Saks.com. Not only will readers find a multitude of gifting inspiration, they’ll also find photos and exclusive soundbites from Michelle Dockery and Juan Diego Botto, the stars of the new TNT drama “Good Behavior.”

SAKSFIRST UNLOCKED

New this year, SaksFirst members can use their SaksFirst points to purchase one-of-a-kind gift packages and exclusive experiences starring some of fashion’s biggest names. Experiences include an exclusive tour of Brunello Cucinelli’s headquarters in Solomeo, Italy; backstage passes to a Proenza Schouler fashion show; a Paris shoe experience at Christian Louboutin’s workshop; composing a bespoke fragrance with Kilian Hennessy; and more. Valued from $5,000 to $100,000, the experiences are redeemable only via SaksFirst points. More information can be found at SaksFirst.com/Unlocked.

SANTA AT YOUR SERVICE

On the first three Saturdays in December from 12 to 5 p.m. local time, select Saks Fifth Avenue locations (New York, Beverly Hills, Bal Harbour, Houston) will offer customers Santa At Your Service. Santa Claus himself will deliver customers’ in-store purchases directly to their homes, hotels or offices via the Saks At Your Service Mercedes-Benz sprinter van. Appointments can be booked by contacting their local Fifth Avenue Clubs (appointments are required and must be scheduled two weeks in advance).

GIFT CONCIERGES

In celebration of the gift giving season, select Saks Fifth Avenue locations will offer dedicated gift concierges to assist customers with all of their gift-giving needs, including gift wrapping, shipping, delivery, or simply finding that perfect holiday gift. Available at the following stores: Atlanta, Bal Harbour, Beverly Hills, Boca Raton, Boston, Chevy Chase, Chicago, Dadeland, Downtown NYC, Houston, San Francisco, and Troy.

12 DAYS OF DELIGHTS

Starting Dec. 1, all Saks stores will host an extraordinary array of events and shopping surprises each Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Christmas. Customers will enjoy gifts with purchase, including Saks Sweet Surprise Cards. Visitors can view their local stores’ activities on the Store & Locations page on Saks.com.

Celebrate The Warmth Of Hearth And Home This Christmas At The Biltmore Estate

When George Vanderbilt opened The Biltmore Estate to family and friends on Christmas Eve 1895, it began a tradition at Biltmore that is carried on to this day. Christmas at Biltmore this year reflects the theme of “Hearth and Home,” getting right to the heart of what Vanderbilt intended for his North Carolina home.

Christmas at Biltmore: Christmas Candlelight House (exterior)

Running through to Jan. 8, 2017, The Biltmore’s holiday celebration will provide guests with a completely immersive experience. The wonders of Biltmore House—masterpieces of art, architecture, and Vanderbilt family treasures—are enhanced with more than 70 intricately decorated trees along with hundreds of poinsettias and garlands. The towering 34-foot-tall Fraser Fir in the home’s immense Banquet Hall is the star attraction.

The Banquet hall at the Biltmore House

While the sheer volume of Christmas décor is staggering, the resulting beauty is a testament to the expertise of Biltmore’s floral staff. This year, the team has interpreted the theme of “Hearth and Home” throughout the house, emphasizing fireplaces and mantels in the grand spaces with warm colors, soft textures, and vintage-inspired ornaments.

Fireplace at The Biltmore

Poinsettas in the Winter Garden

Entry Hall

Guests may also enjoy the entire estate as part of their admission. The glass-roofed Conservatory anchoring the Walled Garden is filled with blooms, and daily seminars at A Gardener’s Place shop provide tips for guests’ own holiday décor. At Antler Hill Village & Winery, the Winery offers free tastings of Biltmore wines—including the new Christmas commemorative wine—and additional in-depth tours and programs to further wine appreciation. Weekends in the Village bring carolers sharing traditional Christmas favorites, and Santa making guest appearances at the bandstand to hear wish lists from guests of all ages.

Candlelight Christmas Evenings

From fireplace mantels draped with evergreens to towering trees festooned with lights, Candlelight Christmas Evenings provide a warm welcome on a frosty night. By reservation only, these evenings in Biltmore House have become a cherished holiday tradition for many who enjoy a uniquely different view of holiday lights and live music.

Christmas Shop

2016 Holiday Gift Guide: This Holiday, Buy Gifts That Give Back To Support Children through UNICEF

Shoppers Can Purchase Gifts That Give Back To The World’s Children From UNICEF Partners ALEX AND ANI, Pier 1 Imports®, Star Wars: Force for Change, Target, And More

“Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood.”

This holiday season, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF is encouraging shoppers to stand with UNICEF and give every child hope by purchasing gifts that support UNICEF’s work to save and improve the lives of children around the world.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF’s work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States.

Mohamed Alhoussein, 7 years old, washes his hands outside of his classroom at the Tabareybarey refugee camp,Tillaberi region, Niger. (C) UNICEF/UNI201289/Phelps (PRNewsFoto/U.S. Fund for UNICEF)

UNICEF Market offers handcrafted products that benefit children in need, as well as supporting artists from Asia, Africa and Latin America. From jewelery to accessories to home décor, each item purchased supports UNICEF programs that provide children with basic necessities such as lifesaving nutrition, medicine, education, clean water, emergency relief and more.

For the first time, UNICEF Market shoppers are invited to curate collections for a chance to win a Smithsonian Journeys ten day trip for two to Peru. In the tradition of Smithsonian Journeys, the Smithsonian Institution‘s worldwide travel program, with their dedication to inspiring lifelong learning and a passion for exploring the world, shoppers can curate online gift collections alongside mood images, to showcase their creativity, while supporting the world’s children through choosing gifts from UNICEF Market.

“Children are disproportionately affected by conflicts and natural disasters, as we have seen this year with drought caused by El Niño and the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis,” said Caryl M. Stern, president & CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “This holiday season, we are asking people to choose gifts that support UNICEF’s efforts to help the world’s most vulnerable children survive and thrive.”

UNICEF Inspired Gifts www.inspiredgifts.org, will also be available to buy this year. These lifesaving items can be purchased in honor of a loved one and go directly to help children in need in developing countries. Some examples of UNICEF Inspired Gifts include the following:

Therapeutic Food: A “miracle food”, this peanut-based paste can mean the difference between life and death. This gift provides quick, lifesaving nourishment to 15 malnourished children for five days ($70.20).

Measles Vaccinations: Measles is still a leading global cause of vaccine-preventable death and disability in childhood. For $30, this inspired gift will provide vaccines for 80 children.

The UNICEF Kid Power Band gives kids the power to get active and save lives. By getting active with the world’s first WEARABLE-FOR-GOOD™, kids go on missions to learn about new cultures and earn points. Points unlock funding from partners, parents and fans, and funds are used by UNICEF to deliver lifesaving packets of therapeutic food to severely malnourished children around the world.

UNICEF Kid Power Band

UNICEF Kid Power is a program of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, and is made possible through the generous support of Presenting Sponsors Star Wars: Force for Change and Target.*

People everywhere are joining the UNICEF Kid Power Team, working together to help end global malnutrition. To date, the UNICEF Kid Power Team has earned more than 12 million Kid Power Points, enough to unlock more than 5.1 million packets of therapeutic food – and counting. Families can join the Team by purchasing a UNICEF Kid Power Band — available this holiday season in Target stores and on Target.com — and downloading the free companion UNICEF Kid Power App. UNICEF Kid Power Bands are available in blue, orange, and two special Star Wars: Force for Change editions in black and green.

2016 Holiday Gift Guide: Keep Warm This Holiday Season With Kitchenaid® Kettles

Holiday entertaining and the chill of winter make warm, toasty beverages particularly welcome. This year, give loved ones the gift of warmth, comfort and convenience with one of three stunning electric and stovetop kettles from KitchenAid.

Glass Tea Kettle

The new KitchenAid® Glass Tea Kettle with preset settings offers tea lovers easy mastery of the perfect cup.

Designed to give tea lovers the same level of precision and control that KitchenAid craft coffee products offer coffee enthusiasts, the new Glass Tea Kettle is sure to delight the tea enthusiast in your life this holiday season. Constructed of premium Schott® glass and stainless steel, the electric kettle takes the guesswork out of steeping and offers quick mastery of making a perfect cup of tea. Coupled with its five preset specialty tea temperature settings, the new kettle’s Schott glass and stainless steel construction create the ideal vessel for tea brewing. Each temperature setting is designed to preserve the unique flavors and aromas of individual tea varieties such as Oolong, herbal, black, white or green.

KitchenAid® Glass Tea Kettle

Built for speed, the Glass Tea Kettle quietly boils water in minutes, then switches to Keep Warm mode for up to 30 minutes before automatically shutting off. The Keep Warm mode keeps liquids at precisely 158° F, and can also be used for brewing more delicate teas. A removable base allows for 360-degree rotation for easy transfer of the kettle and includes an on/off button with a white LED ‘on’ indicator light.

Additional features of the easy-to-fill 1.3L kettle include convenient water level markings and a stainless steel steeper that can be easily removed at the proper time to prevent tea from over steeping or to boil water for other uses. A portable steeper holder keeps counters clean from drips during and between uses, while a stainless steel lime scale filter clarifies water by filtering out impurities that can alter the taste of teas. Available now, the new KitchenAid® Glass Tea Kettle carries a suggested retail price of $169.99.