Nordstrom Expands In New York City With Opening Of Flagship Store

Photo Credits: All Images photographed by Connie Zhou, Mo Daoud, and David Zheng (and provided by Nordstrom Inc. PR)

Nordstrom Incorporated logo. (PRNewsFoto)

Nordstrom NYC Level 1 – Handbags (Connie Zhou)

On October 24^th, Nordstrom, Inc. opened the doors to its first-ever flagship store for women and children in New York City. Located at 225 West 57th Street, across from the Nordstrom Men’s Store which launched in April 2018, the new store occupies the base of Central Park Tower, the tallest residential building in the world. Customers can shop 320,000 square-feet of retail space across seven-levels in the heart of the city. Nordstrom NYC represents the biggest and best statement (as well as the biggest gamble) of what the brand has to offer.

Nordstrom NYC Level 3 – Designer Women’s Apparel (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC – Comme des Garçons Shop (Connie Zhou)

As diverse as New York City itself, merchandise includes a curated offering across all categories. Customers can shop a comprehensive selection of apparel brands across a broad range of accessible and aspirational price points, including Dries Van Noten, Givenchy, Saint Laurent, Vince, Ted Baker London, Madewell, Reformation and Topshop, complemented by an extensive selection of accessory brands like Longchamp, Chloe, Valentino, Fendi, Loewe, MCM, Coach and more.

Nordstrom NYC Level 4 – Denim (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC Level 4 – Women’s Apparel (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC Level 4 – Women’s Apparel (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC Lower Level 2 – Kids Wear (Connie Zhou)

Honoring its heritage in shoes dating back to 1901, Nordstrom NYC offers customers three shoe departments, including one entire floor dedicated to women’s shoes. The vast shoe selection will include Gucci, Prada, Christian Louboutin, Golden Goose, Tory Burch, Birkenstock, UGG, Steve Madden, Nike and more.

Nordstrom NYC Lower Level – Women’s Shoes & Shoe Bar (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC Lower Level – Women’s Shoes (Connie Zhou)

Nordstrom NYC Lower Level 2 – Kids Shoes Conveyor Belt (Connie Zhou)

MERCHANDISE CONCEPTS

Nordstrom NYC Level 2 Christian Louboutin Pop-Up Shop featuring an exclusive 30-piece capsule of footwear, handbags and gift items for men & women (Connie Zhou)

A testament to the ever-evolving nature of the New York City store, the first level will be home to a rotating series of installations, kicking off with a Christian Louboutin pop-up featuring an exclusive 30-piece capsule of footwear, handbags and gift items for men & women, inspired by the Palais de la Porte Dorée Museum near Louboutin’s childhood home in Paris.

Nordstrom NYC Level 3 – Fitting Room

Nordstrom NYC Level 3 – Stylist’s Lounge (Connie Zhou)

True to its roots in shoes, Nordstrom is launching Perfect Pairs, an exclusive collaboration with 14 customer favorite brands, and a diverse group of NYC muses, bringing together the likes of Steve Madden with model Winnie Harlow; Cole Haan with poet and activist Cleo Wade; Nike with Tennis champion Maria Sharapova; Birkenstock with celebrity stylist Leslie Fremar; UGG with costume designer Patricia Field, and more.

Nordstrom NYC Level 5 – Atrium (Connie Zhou)

Olivia Kim, Nordstrom Vice President of Creative Projects, also brings the unique Nordstrom offering to life, curating concepts within the flagship to create a sense of newness and discovery for customers.

Nordstrom NYC Level 3 – Burberry Shop Concept Shop will showcase products from the Autumn/Winter 2019 collection (Connie Zhou)

Beginning with British fashion house Burberry, the exclusive Nordstrom concept shop will showcase products from the Autumn/Winter 2019 collection, housed within a giant, immersive installation spanning five rooms, accented with wood paneled walls and raised theatre style seating, windows for visitors to illustrate or tag with graffiti, and a café featuring Nick Knight‘s Portrait of a Rose print throughout with a menu of British classics available to order.

Nordstrom NYC – Nordstrom x Nike – Level 1 (Mo Daoud)

Nordstrom NYC – Burberry Concept Space – Level 2 (David Zheng)

Kicking off fall with Nordstrom x Nike (NxN), Nordstrom has developed the ultimate women’s sneaker boutique with a distinctive view on style and sport. NxN is the place to find coveted Nike product with a curated selection of merchandise from the most compelling brands in fashion. To celebrate the opening, the shop will exclusively launch a Jordan Air Latitude 720 sneaker with Swarovski and the Nike by Olivia Kim capsule collection of sneakers and apparel, inspired by Kim’s NYC-experience during the 90s, launching in-store on October 31.

Nordstrom NYC Level 3 – SPACE featuring brands such as Cecille Bahnsen, Bode, Eckhaus Latta, Jacquemus, Martine Rose, Molly Goddard, and Simone Rocha, as well as exclusives from Tom Wood and Sandy Liang. (Connie Zhou)

The opening of the New York City flagship brings the exciting in-store curation of SPACE, a boutique featuring advanced and emerging designer collections selected by Olivia Kim from brands such as Cecille Bahnsen, Bode, Eckhaus Latta, Jacquemus, Martine Rose, Molly Goddard, and Simone Rocha, as well as exclusives from Tom Wood and Sandy Liang. Unique to the flagship, SPACE includes the first branded in-store shop from Acne Studios, and a one-of-a-kind Comme des Garçons shop designed with artist and furniture designer Marc Hundley.

Burberry And The RealReal Join Forces To Make Fashion Circular

Today, global luxury brand Burberry and authenticated luxury consignment marketplace The RealReal announced they are teaming up to promote a more sustainable future for fashion. Through a new partnership, Burberry and The RealReal are aiming to support and promote the benefits of a circular economy for fashion by encouraging customers to extend the life of their products through resale. Through the pilot launching today, customers who consign Burberry pieces at The RealReal are being offered an exclusive personal shopping experience in select Burberry stores across the U.S.

Burberry And The RealReal Join Forces To Make Fashion Circular

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that more than $500 billion of value is lost every year due to clothing not being utilized or recycled effectively, with some garments in the U.S. discarded after just seven to 10 wears.

Burberry has been at the forefront of sustainability in fashion, with social and environmental programmes in place for more than 15 years. Driving a more circular economy for fashion is central to Burberry’s five-year Responsibility agenda to 2022 and as part of this Burberry continues to expand ways to reuse, repair, donate and recycle products and materials. During 2018/19, Burberry reduced its market-based emissions by 43% and procured 58% of its total energy (including 68% of its electricity) from renewable sources. Burberry is now carbon neutral across the Americas region, its EMEIA retail stores and UK operations, and aims to be 100% carbon neutral by 2022.

A key figure in driving industry collaboration, Burberry is a founding signatory of the UNFCCC’s Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, a signatory of the UN Global Compact, and a core partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Make Fashion Circular initiative, working with industry and NGOs to address key impacts of the fashion industry. Burberry is also a signatory of The Fashion Pact, a global alliance between 32 of the world’s leading fashion companies to tackle climate change announced at the 2019 G7 Summit in Biarritz.

“Leading the way in creating a more circular economy for fashion is a key element of our Responsibility agenda,” said Pam Batty, VP Corporate Responsibility, Burberry. “The RealReal shares our ambition to promote the circular economy and keep clothing in use for longer. We know that the enduring quality of Burberry pieces means their appeal and value is long-lasting. Through this new partnership we hope to not only champion a more circular future but encourage consumers to consider all the options available to them when they’re looking to refresh their wardrobes.”

The RealReal (PRNewsFoto/The RealReal)

The RealReal is the world’s largest online marketplace for authenticated, consigned luxury goods. With an expert behind every item, the company provide a safe and reliable platform for consumers to buy and sell their luxury items. With morethan 100+ in-house gemologists, horologists and brand authenticators who inspect thousands of items available online each day, The RealReal make consigning effortless with free in-home pickup, drop-off service and direct shipping for both individual consignors and estates. At its stores in Los Angeles as well as SoHo and the Upper East Side NYC, customers can shop and consign and meet with experts to learn more about luxury authenticity and sustainability. At its 11 Luxury Consignment Offices, three of which are located in our retail stores, the expert staff provides free valuations for high-value pieces.

According to The RealReal, resale demand for Burberry has increased by 64% year-on-year, with searches for Burberry on the site rising fastest among Millennial and Gen Z customers.

“A brand as storied as Burberry embracing the circular economy demonstrates the power of resale’s impact on both the luxury market and the planet,” said Julie Wainwright, CEO of The RealReal. “I hope together we’ll be a part of pioneering a future in which circularity is a consideration for every luxury brand.”

Building on their shared ambition to make fashion circular, Burberry and The RealReal have made a donation to Materials for the Arts to support its work in helping people rethink the way they look at materials and waste, as well as educating the public on the importance of creative reuse.

Burberry and The RealReal’s generous donation will support MFTA’s nonprofit partner, Friends of Materials for the Arts, which guides and supports MFTA’s education and outreach initiatives including free field trips for students, warehouse operation improvements, public programming, and professional development for educators. Contributions like this are essential to its mission to encourage creative reuse and environmental sustainability in NYC, which, in turn, empower students to make art, train teachers to bring creative hands-on projects into the classroom, and keep the warehouse open later for itsmembers.

A program of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, with support from the Department of Education and Friends of Materials for the Arts, MFTA is NYC’s largest reuse center supporting nonprofits with arts programming, public schools, and city agencies. On average MFTA collects over 1.5m lbs. (approx.700,000 kilograms) of supplies each year which it provides, free of charge, to its member organizations. In addition to providing materials, MFTA has an Artist-in-Residence program, an education center, and holds public events which include gallery openings and community workshops.

For more information about consigning Burberry pieces with The RealReal, please visit therealreal.com/Burberry.

Saks Fifth Avenue Unveils New Beauty Floor In New York Flagship

The ‘future of beauty’ opens on second floor as part of Grand Renovation

Saks Fifth Avenue FaceGym – SAKS FIFTH AVENUE UNVEILS NEW BEAUTY FLOOR IN NEW YORK FLAGSHIP (Courtesy of Justin Bridges for Saks Fifth Avenue) 

Saks Fifth Avenue today opens the new, 32,000-square-foot beauty space on the second floor of the New York City Flagship Store with more than 120 color cosmetics, skincare, fragrance, and wellness brands —58 of which are new to the floor. (See the full list below.) With a significant focus on experiences, the floor is approximately 40-percent larger and now includes 15 new spa rooms along with services such as medi-spa treatments, facials, massages, manicures, brow services, a flower shop and more. By moving the Beauty department to the second floor, Saks is evolving the way customers shop and experience beauty. (Saks New York is located at 611 Fifth Avenue at 50th Street, and is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Saks Fifth Avenue Apothecary – SAKS FIFTH AVENUE UNVEILS NEW BEAUTY FLOOR IN NEW YORK FLAGSHIP (Courtesy of Justin Bridges for Saks Fifth Avenue)

The brands represented on the new beauty space include (in alphabetic order) Acqua Di Parma, AERIN Beauty, Aesop, Alexander McQueen, Amouage, Angela Caglia, Annick Goutal, Art Meets Art, Artis, Balenciaga, Blink Brow Bar London, Bobbi Brown, Bond No. 9, Bottega Veneta, Bulgari, Burberry, By Terry, Care/of, Cartier, Cellcosmet, Chanel, Chantecaille, Chloé, Christian Dior, Christian Louboutin, Christophe Robin, Chuda, Cire Trudon, Clarins, Clé de Peau Beauté, Clinique, Clive Christian, Creed, Decorté, Diana Vreeland, Dior, Diptyque, Dolce & Gabbana, D.S. & Durga, Dyson, EB Florals, Estée Lauder, Ex Nihilo, FaceGym, Floraïku, Foreo, Frédéric Malle, GHD, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Glow Recipe, Gucci, Guerlain, Hermès, Histoires De Parfums, Hotel Couture, House of Sillage, Jason Wu, Jo Malone London, Kiehl’s Since 1851, Kilian, L’Artisan Parfumeur, La Mer, La Prairie, Lancer Skincare, Lancôme, Laura Mercier, Le Labo, Leonor Greyl, MAC, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Mancera, Marc Jacobs, Mario Badescu, Martine de Richeville, Marvis, Mason Pearson, Molton Brown, Montale, Moroccanoil, Mugler, Narciso Rodriguez, Nars, Natura Bissé, NEST Fragrances, Omorovicza, Ormonde Jayne, Orveda, Patchology, Penhaligon’s, Philip Kingsley, Prada, Proenza Schouler, R+Co, Raincry, ReFa, RéVive, Rodial, RODIN olio lusso, Roja Dove, Rossano Ferretti, Sakara Life, Salvatore Ferragamo, Serge Lutens, Shiseido, simplehuman, Sisley Paris, SK-II, SKINNEY MedSpa, Slip, sundays, Supergoop!, Tammy Fender, Tata Harper, The Perfumer’s Story, Tiffany & Co., Tom Ford, Trish McEvoy, Valentino, Valmont, Viktor & Rolf, Vilhelm Parfumerie and YSL.

“As part of Saks’ overall growth strategy, we continue to look for ways to innovate, create and disrupt. The bold decision to move Beauty to the second floor, from the traditional main floor model, allowed us to build a one-of-a-kind destination enabling Saks to create the epitome of an experiential beauty floor,” said Marc Metrick, president, Saks Fifth Avenue. “We continue to apply the principles of what we call The New Luxury to everything we do. What we’ve done with Beauty gives the customer a warmer environment, differentiated from what they can get anywhere else and creates a reason to come to Saks and experience our brand.“

Saks Fifth Avenue EB Florals — SAKS FIFTH AVENUE UNVEILS NEW BEAUTY FLOOR IN NEW YORK FLAGSHIP (Courtesy of Justin Bridges for Saks Fifth Avenue)

The new beauty floor is the latest step in the New York flagship’s Grand Renovation. Saks redefined the department store concept with the revolutionary migration of Beauty from the main floor to the second floor. The Saks Store Planning and Design team, in collaboration with Gensler, spearheaded the design focusing on opening up the space, creating broad sightlines across the floor and modernizing traditional finishes that complement the brand’s heritage. The team used custom agglomerate white stone flooring from Italy throughout and restored original windows facing Fifth Avenue, 49th Street, and 50th Street, allowing natural light to the floor and north and south facing views of the city.

Nordstrom Unveils New Fall 2017 Fashion Campaign

Retailer Showcases Fashion Through The Lens Of Photographer Max Farago And Director Clara Cullen

Today, Nordstrom, Inc. launched a new national brand campaign shot by photographer Max Farago with video by director Clara Cullen, which celebrates the best of fall fashion. The campaign will debut on August 7 in the U.S. and on September 4 in Canada with print, digital, social, out of home and video components.

Nordstrom Fall Campaign – Clara Cullen, Max Farago

The campaign vision and concept was developed by Olivia Kim, Vice President of Creative Projects at Nordstrom, who has set the creative tone for the retailer’s last five brand campaigns. Kim along with her creative team tapped Farago and Cullen, the husband and wife creative duo favored by the fashion world, to bring their vision to life.

Nordstrom Fall Campaign – Clara Cullen with her mother, daughter, sister + niece

The campaign features intimate and honest portraits of models and non-models alike, minimally edited and styled how people really dress to depict a modern and relevant perspective on a high-fashion campaign. The full campaign imagery and videos can be seen at Nordstrom.com/Fall2017. Highlights of brands featured in the campaign include 3.1 Phillip Lim Acne, JW Anderson, Simone Rocha, Studios adidas, Lemaire, Sophie Buhai, Alexander Wang, A.P.C., Levi’s®, Tibi, Dr. Martens, Molly Goddard, Tomorrowland, FRAME, Norse Project, Topman, Isa Arfen, Officine Generale, Ovadia & Sons, J.Crew, Vans®, Vejas, Richard Malone, and SATURDAYS NYC.

With her creative mind and unique perspective as a merchant, Kim took on the role of setting the vision for the company’s brand campaigns in Spring 2016, the retailer’s first in 15 years. Following her inaugural “See Anew” campaign, “We Are Here” from Fall 2016, and “Love, Nordstrom” from the holiday season, and the Spring 2017 campaign shot by Petra Collins. The Fall 2017 campaign marks Kim’s fifth developed for Nordstrom.

The cast includes:

Nordstrom Fall Campaign – Hailey Gates

• Actress and television journalist Hailey Gates, host of VICELAND’s series States of Undress, in which she explores geopolitics through the lens of fashion. Her work takes her to conflict zones around the world for international fashion weeks.
  

  Nordstrom Fall Campaign – The Hiplets – Camryn Taylor, Lourdes Taylor, Nia Parker, Nia Lyons

• Camryn Taylor, Lourdes Taylor, Nia Parker, and Nia Lyons, classically trained ballerinas of The Hiplet™ and the most senior dancers at the Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center. The Hiplet™ have appeared in a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Show, TEDxSanFrancisco, the New York Times and CNN. Their YouTube videos have gathered over hundreds of thousands of views.
• Homer Hans Bryant, the artistic director and founder of the Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center who conceived dance group phenom The Hiplet™ which showcases dancers en pointe interplaying hip-hop movements with classical styles.
  

  Nordstrom Fall Campaign – Saam Emme, Vejas Kruszewski

• Designer Vejas Kruszewski (in his collection) and Saam Emme, the creative team behind the label Vejas. Their designs redefine conventional streetwear, breaking borders and blending youth culture with studious fashion history. Vejas was awarded the LVMH Special Prize in 2016.
  

  Nordstrom Fall Campaign – Angela Goding

• Contemporary art curator Angela Goding, who has a formidable reputation in the New York art world for her instincts and distinct fashion sense.
  

  Nordstrom Fall Campaign – Jane Moseley

• Twenty-nine-year-old painter, sculptor, and model Jane Moseley, who spent six years in New York resisting the lure of the modeling industry, then became a fashion sensation after walking in Balenciaga’s fall 2016 show. She has a collection of horror-movie-inspired tattoos, and a dog, five cats, a lizard, a hedgehog and two pet rats.
  

  Nordstrom Fall Campaign – Creative Growth – Elizabeth Rangel, Tom di Mara, William Scott

• Tom di Maria, director of Creative Growth Art Center, which provides studio space, representation, instruction and opportunity for personal expression to adult artists with mental, developmental or physical disabilities. Artists from the center exhibit in museums and esteemed collections worldwide.
• Elizabeth Rangel, a self-taught artist, and designer who works in textiles and fashion.
• William Scott, a self-taught artist whose work appears in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Oakland Museum of California.
  

  Nordstrom Fall Campaign – Ian & Marc Hundley

• Marc and Ian Hundley, artists and twin brothers. Marc creates text-based posters incorporating references to literature, lyrics, and film; he also makes furniture. Ian constructs colorful, large-scale quilts based on topographic maps.
  

  Nordstrom Fall Campaign – Hayett McCarthy

• French-born Londoner Hayett McCarthy, a former dog groomer, record-label intern, bartender and sandwich-board carrier, now a model for top fashion brands including Hermès, ACNE Studios, Burberry, COACH, and Vetements, among others.
  

  Nordstrom Fall Campaign – Ebonee Davis 

• Twenty-three-year-old Seattle native Ebonee Davis, a model, and activist advocating for more diversity in the fashion industry. In a TED Talk, she discussed her path to self-acceptance and her case for creating positive, inclusive imagery.

amfAR’s CINEMA AGAINST AIDS GALA RAISES A RECORD BREAKING $35 MILLION FOR RESEARCH TO FIGHT HIV/AIDS AND TO HELP FIND A CURE

EVENT SPONSORED BY WORLDVIEW ENTERTAINMENT, BOLD FILMS, BVLGARI, MERCEDES-BENZ and THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY

The 21^st annual Cinema Against AIDS raised a record $35 million last night, helping amfAR in its continued fight against HIV/AIDS. The star-studded black-tie event was held at the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc and was presented by Worldview Entertainment, Bold Films, and BVLGARI.

CAP D’ANTIBES, FRANCE – MAY 22: Harvey Weinstein and Heidi Klum speak onstage during amfAR’s 21st Cinema Against AIDS Gala Presented By WORLDVIEW, BOLD FILMS, And BVLGARI at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 22, 2014 in Cap d’Antibes, France. (Photo by Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for amfAR)

CAP D’ANTIBES, FRANCE – MAY 22: Dean Caten, Sharon Stone and Dan Caten attend amfAR’s 21st Cinema Against AIDS Gala Presented By WORLDVIEW, BOLD FILMS, And BVLGARI at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 22, 2014 in Cap d’Antibes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/amfAR14/WireImage)

Since amfAR’s late Founding International Chairman Dame Elizabeth Taylor hosted the first Cinema Against AIDS in 1993, the event has become the most coveted ticket in Cannes. Past events have been chaired by amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Sharon Stone, President Bill Clinton, Demi Moore, Sir Elton John, and Madonna, among many others.

Like the epidemic itself, AIDS research knows no borders. amfAR’s programs have had a global reach since 1986, when the Foundation began awarding international grants. Today, amfAR continues to fund HIV/AIDS researchers worldwide and works to translate their research into effective policy, prevention, and treatment programs around the globe.

CAP D’ANTIBES, FRANCE – MAY 22: (L-R) Eva Herzigova and Sharon Stone speak onstage during amfAR’s 21st Cinema Against AIDS Gala Presented By WORLDVIEW, BOLD FILMS, And BVLGARI at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 22, 2014 in Cap d’Antibes, France. (Photo by Dominique Charriau/WireImage)

CAP D’ANTIBES, FRANCE – MAY 22: Kellan Lutz attends amfAR’s 21st Cinema Against AIDS Gala Presented By WORLDVIEW, BOLD FILMS, And BVLGARI at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 22, 2014 in Cap d’Antibes, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/amfAR14/WireImage)

Sharon Stone was once again a Chair of the event, along with Harvey Weinstein, amfAR ambassador Milla Jovovich, Heidi Klum, BVLGARI Ambassador Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, Carine Roitfeld, amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole, Bulgari Group Chief Executive Officer Jean-Christophe Babin, amfAR Global Fundraising Ambassador Milutin Gatsby, Michel Litvak, Vincent Roberti, Remo Ruffini, Worldview Entertainment chairman and CEO Christopher Woodrow, and Worldview Entertainment COO Molly Conners.

Tony- And Grammy-Winner Billy Porter To Host Live Out Loud’s Thirteenth Annual Young Trailblazers Gala On April 28

Acclaimed Star of Broadway’s Kinky Boots Will Serve as Master of Ceremonies and Help Celebrate Five of New York’s Most Inspiring Young Leaders

Billy Porter will headline the thirteenth annual Trailblazers Benefit Gala hosted by Live Out Loud, an nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring, nurturing and empowering LGBTQ youth to build a successful future by connecting them to positive role models and affirmative experiences in the LGBTQ community.  On Monday, April 28, Porter will join more than 500 leaders in business, arts, politics, and more, to honor individuals that have made a positive impact among the LGBT youth community and recognize several remarkable young LGBT leaders with college scholarships.  Proceeds of the event will go toward furthering educational programming for LGBTQ youth.

Live Out Loud inspires, nurtures and empowers LGBTQ youth to build a successful future by connecting them to positive role models and affirmative experiences in the LGBTQ community. By providing youth with opportunities to interact with adults who understand the realities of living openly as a member of the LGBTQ community, Live Out Loud helps young people to achieve academic success, healthy relationships, rewarding careers, and a fulfilling life. Live Out Loud forges these crucial connections through innovative, hands-on initiatives that include: bringing positive LGBTQ role models into classrooms and schools; bringing LGBTQ youth into workplaces to meet LGBTQ professionals from all walks of life; and providing financial and mentoring support to young scholars and leaders.

“It will be my great pleasure to shine the spotlight on perseverance and the potential these young leaders have to find their own voices in this world,” noted Porter, whose artistic talents are equaled only by his passionate support for LGBTQ rights.  “I celebrate Live Out Loud for their important work and will be proud to stand among them at this gala, and continue to stand for the power of equality.”

Porter is a Tony^® and Grammy^® Award-winning singer, composer, actor, playwright and director from Pittsburgh, PA. As a recording artist, Porter’s solo albums include his first CD, Untitled, on A&M records and his sophomore album, At the Corner of Broadway + Soul – LIVE, on Sh-K-Boom Records. Billy’s Back on Broadway, Porter’s highly anticipated debut on Concord Records, is scheduled for release April 8, 2014. Porter currently stars as “Lola” in the smash hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots, for which he won the 2013 Drama Desk and Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical.  Porter is also a graduate of The Professional Program In Screenwriting at UCLA and is an adjunct professor at his alma mater Carnegie Mellon University’s School Of Drama, where he has directed productions of Company and Letters From ‘Nam.

He will be joined this year by Gala Chairs Tim Allen, Eugene Rabinovich and Chuck James. Honorary Chairs include Lea DeLaria, Michael Urie, Jordan Roth & Richie Jackson, Kim & Lexi Stolz, BD Wong,David Hallberg, Clodagh, Daryl Roth and The Honorable Christine Quinn.   Honorees include Ariel Foxman, editor at InStyle Magazine and Playwright, Terrance McNally.

“The LGBT community continues to change public opinion and we have seen dramatic changes made in the past several years – including, and importantly, last year’s overturning of the Defense of Marriage Act and the great many states that are debating the legalization of same-sex marriage,” said Leo Preziosi, Jr., founder and executive director of Live Out Loud. “Together, we must all focus on what’s possible – on what the world can and one day will look like for LGBTQ youth.  That is why we enable adult members of our community to reach out to the younger generation and play an active role in their lives to show them that they are valued and that their dreams can be realized.”

In the tradition of Live Out Loud‘s commitment to energize and enable LGBTQ youth to live the life of their dreams, five college-bound high school seniors from the NY Tri-state area will be awarded $5,000 scholarships at the event for their demonstrated outstanding leadership.

Live Out Loud helps LGBTQ students in New York City and the tri-state area by connecting them with role models and leaders in the LGBT community who are passionate about their life’s work and committed to sharing their stories, insight and advice with the next generation.  Among Live Out Loud‘s many hallmark programs is a partnership with international ad agency Deutsch Inc. called “Gay It Forward“, a groundbreaking PSA campaign for one of their signature programs, The Homecoming Project, which brings successful LGBT adults back to their high schools to share their stories with current students.

Sponsors of the Thirteenth Annual Young Trailblazers Gala include: Bank of America Merrill Lynch,Bloomingdale’s, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Inc., Carolina Herrera, Coach, Donny Deutsch, Abraham & Golda Foxman, Ariel Foxman, Fund in the Sun, Helmut Lang, IPG, Johnson & Johnson, Nancy & Howard Marks, Max Mara, Mindspark, Neiman Marcus, PwC, Daryl and Steven Roth Foundation, Theory, Lizzie & Jonathan M. Tisch, TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Homegoods, Tory Burch, and Viacom.

Tickets start at $250, and multiple sponsorship opportunities are still available.  For more information, contact Kristine Bruch at 212-228-7446 or visit www.liveoutloud.info.

 

Academy of Arts University Fashion Design and Textile Design Students Shine at Fall/Winter 2014 New Fashion Week

Designer Profile and Inspiration Images by David Dooley/Runway Images by Randy Brooke/WireImage 

Every designer dreams of showing their collection at Mercedes- Benz Fashion Week, and on Friday, February 7th that dream came true for 13 designers from the School of Fashion at Academy of Art University. “Since 2005, the School of Fashion has premiered the collections of students and recent graduates during New York Fashion Week. Part of our commitment to our students is to help launch their careers and have their work seen by industry professionals,” said Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of Academy of Art University. “Debuting these designers’ collections during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is an incredible opportunity for each of them.”

With more than 18,000 students, Academy of Art University is the nation’s largest accredited private art and design university. Established in 1929, the school offers accredited A.A., B.A., B.F.A., M.A., M.F.A., and M.Arch degree programs in Acting, Advertising, Animation & Visual Effects, Architecture, Art Education, Art History, Fashion, Fine Art, Game Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture & Design, Jewelry & Metal Arts, Landscape Architecture, Motion Pictures & Television, Multimedia Communications, Music Production & Sound Design for Visual Media, Photography, Visual Development, and Web Design & New Media. Online degrees are offered in most areas. Academy of Art University is an accredited member of WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design), NAAB (Master of Architecture), and CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation offered for BFA-IAD, MFA-IAD).

For the Fall 2014 season, 13 designers presented eight collections, four of which were collaborations between Fashion Design and Textile Design students. In total, six womenswear and two menswear collections were presented at the Academy of Art University Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week show.

Jaci Hodges, M.F.A. Fashion Design, collaborated with Nisha Hanna Btesh, B.F.A. Textile Design, on a 1960s-inspired womenswear collection that was created with the use of Shibori, the Japanese technique of resistance felting. Originally from Austin, TX, Jaci holds a B.B.A. in Marketing with a minor in Philosophy. Additionally, she recently completed a design internship with gr.dano, a Bay Area ready-to-wear company co-founded by fellow alumna Jill Giordano. Nisha is a California native, born and raised in San Diego. Jaci and Nisha were inspired by the excess of prints worn during the late 1960s, in particular to those seen on the Brady Bunch, and the costumes worn by Mia Farrow in the film Dandy in Aspic.

Frank Tsai, M.F.A. Fashion Design, collaborated with Andrea Nieto, B.F.A. Textile Design, on a menswear collection inspired by the mood and emotion of an international photography collection, “Beauty in Decay,” personal struggle, raw emotion, and the different stages of the healing process. Frank was born and raised in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, earned a B.S. Degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising, was awarded high honors for his undergraduate fashion show, and worked as the Marketing Manager for FU YU Clothing Company. Andrea grew up in Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia, is on the Academy of Art University President’s Honor List, was awarded a $10,000 scholarship through the YMA Scholarship Fund as a Geoffrey Beene National Scholar, and recently finished a design internship at BCBGMAXAZRIA.

Macy’s Herald Square Beauty and Fragrance Department Unveils Its Biggest and Boldest Makeover Yet

Beauty Starts From the Inside with New Cosmetics, Skincare and Fragrance Brands, Fully Re-Designed Counters, All-New Shop-In-Shop Installations, And Salon Services

All Images Courtesy of Macy’s Inc.

A state-of-the-art and sophisticated shopping experience awaits shoppers as Macy’s Herald Square unveils a striking new look for its signature world of beauty and fragrances today. The long-awaited reveal has been months in the making, culminating with the most dramatic makeover of a beauty department in modern retail history. Re-fashioned within a brand-new 24,000 square-foot space and re-imagined within the grand architectural setting of the majestic Main Floor, the new Cosmetics and Fragrances department at Macy’s Herald Square will be the pre-eminent retail showcase for beauty brands and salon services. New luxury and prestige brands in color, treatment and skincare collections, as well as brand new counters, shops and bars for brows, blow-outs and nails will elevate the customer experience and exceed their expectations. Beauty will truly be in the eye of the beholder as Macy’s Herald Square restyles the world’s ultimate beauty destination.

“Beauty is always one of the most dynamic businesses and departments at Macy’s Herald Square,” said Muriel Gonzalez, executive vice president/general merchandise manager for cosmetics, fragrances and shoes. “With the renovation of our flagship store, we were able to completely re-imagine the space devoted to all things beauty, allowing us to bring in luxury brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Hermes, La Mer, Laura Mercier, Jo Malone London and Tom Ford, and for the first time, layer in salon services for nails, brows and hair all in one location. Macy’s Herald Square undeniably has the most powerful presentation for beauty in New York City.”

Macy’s Herald Square, New York City

She added, “In addition to the new color, skincare and fragrance collections being introduced, all of our existing vendors embraced the spectacular changes at Macy’s Herald Square with their own state-of-the-art installations that are unique, interactive and the most exciting cosmetics counters in the city.

Beauty indeed does start from within. Located in the heart of the store and at the crossroads of the Main Aisle and the newly opened Memorial Door Entrance off of 34th Street, the new Cosmetics and Fragrances department at Macy’s Herald Square is the crowning moment of the extensive Main Floor renovation begun last year. Redesigned with new architectural accents and structural elements, two sets of sweeping marble staircases along both the 34th and 35th Street sides of the store frame the stunning new department and create a spectacular arena for shopping. For the first time, show windows along 34th Street have been opened to provide vistas from the street into the store. Passersby can now experience the energy and excitement of the city’s most popular beauty destination as they travel along the bustling thoroughfare.

Once inside, shoppers enter a world of breathtaking beauty accented by modern design aesthetics and a sleek, modern sensibility. A brand-new Kiehl’s shop complete with its signature motorcycle display is offset by Macy’s award-winning Impulse Beauty concept. Steps away from 34th Street, an outpost for Blow, the New York Blow Dry Bar Express and everyone’s favorite trend-setting brands including Bare Escentuals, Benefit, butter LONDON, essie, Inglot, Lipstick Queen, Smashbox, Tarte, Too-Faced, and Urban Decay await the shopper inside. Providing express services and views from 34th Street, Blow’s new outpost will be first stop for fast blow-outs, up-dos and quick re-styles and then it is off to Benefit’s Brow Bar for a quick re-shape.

Walpole British Luxury and Vacheron Constantin host the first ‘CRAFTED: MAKERS OF THE EXCEPTIONAL’ Showcase

Date: 4th – 6th April 2013

Time: 10am – 6pm

Location: Somerset House West Wing

Admission: Free for the public

London, England– In celebration of outstanding British craftsmanship, Walpole British Luxury and Vacheron Constantin will host the first ‘CRAFTED: MAKERS OF THE EXCEPTIONAL’ Showcase for the public at Somerset House West Wing. From the stitching on a calf-skin leather handbag to the intricate metalwork on a statement mirror, expert craftsmanship is at the heart of all luxury goods. The showcase offers a unique insight into the excellence of fine craft by elevating the time honored expertise, intimate knowledge and captivating interactions between art, design and skill of the hand. From Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th April, a collection of 20 of Britain’s most talented and pioneering artisans will demonstrate their passion, dedication and expertise, bringing to life the creative process, from exquisite and rare raw material to desirable and valuable finished work. Admission is free and there is no need to reserve tickets. For more information about the event please visit www.craftedshowcase.co.uk.

Guests attend the Crafted Makers of the Exceptional Showcase launch>> at Somerset House on April 3, 2013 in London, England. (Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

Since 1990, Walpole British Luxury has been dedicated to supporting the British Luxury industry. Founded by flagship British companies including Chewton Glen, DAKS, Financial Times and William Grant & Sons, Walpole furthers the interests of the British luxury industry. Named after great British statesman, patron of the arts and promoter of overseas trade, Sir Robert Walpole, the organisation provides a strong voice for the finest British brands in today’s competitive global luxury market.

‘At Walpole British Luxury we understand that luxury without exceptionally talented makers or outstanding materials is an empty promise, hence our commitment to the preservation and development to the craftsmanship skills’ said Julia Carrick, Chief Executive of Walpole British Luxury.

General view of the Crafted Makers of the Exceptional Showcase launch at Somerset House on April 3, 2013 in London, England.

Walpole promotes, develops and represents the British luxury industry in partnership with its members – over 180 of Britain’s most prestigious companies drawn from the fashion, retail, jewelry, food, drink, leisure, automotive and media sectors, including Alfred Dunhill,  Alexander McQueen, Boodles, Burberry, Clive Christian, Chivas Brothers, Ettinger, The Gleneagles Hotel, Glenmorangie, Goodwood, Jimmy Choo, James Cropper Specialty Papers, Somerset House, Purdey, Savoir Beds, Silver Cross, Bremont, Thomas Pink, Vertu, Waterford, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton – Walpole represents the A to Z of internationally renowned and respected names, each bringing its own area of expertise and style to this most British of associations.

THE FASHION+LIFESTYLE.COM 2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: GIFTS FOR CHILDREN

COMPILED BY PHILLIP D. JOHNSON

This, the first of the FASHION+LIFETSYLE.COM 2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDES, is all about the children. These are the toys that were the bestsellers this past year and the ones that are presently selling out everywhere. There’s a toy or tablet here for every child on your Christmas list.

LeapPad2

IT’S THE HOTTEST TOY ON THE MARKET RIGHT NOW! The award-winning LeapPad2, from LEAPFROG ENTERPRISES, INC., offers kids more engaging learning experiences than ever before. New features include front-and-back cameras and video recorders, a faster LF 2000 processor, double the on-board memory (4GB) and a longer battery life, all wrapped in a high-tech styled kid-tough tablet design. LEAPPAD2‘s extensive library of hundreds of games, music, videos, eBooks and more are carefully designed and approved by LEAPFROG‘s highly experienced team of educational experts and include a combination of LEAPFROG‘s top quality educational entertainment and engaging content from the biggest names in children’s entertainment. LEAPFROG‘s own learning content is grounded in the latest research and draws on a comprehensive curriculum that covers more

Yummy Gummy Christmas DVD Cover

than 2,500 skills across 100 skill categories. LEAPPAD2 is sold at MSRP $99.99 and is recommended for children 3 to 9 years. The LEAPPAD2 DISNEY PRINCESS BUNDLE is sold at MSRP $129.99. Downloads are priced at MSRP $5.00 and up and game cartridges at MSRP $24.99. New accessories for LeapPad2 include a Video Display Case (MSRP $19.99), Fashion Handbag (MSRP $19.99), Car Adapter (MSRP $14.99), Gel Skins (MSRP $9.99) and much more. An optional recharger pack is also available at MSRP $39.99. LeapPad2 is now available at www.leapfrog.com, online and at major retailers in the U.S., Canada, UK and Ireland

Don’t judge me but I have to say it: I LOVE GUMMIBÄR!  From the moment I received the package of CDs and DVDs in the mail, I have been spellbound by Gummibär and his friend: KALA (a ‘serval cat,’ and the brain in the group), HARRY, the nerdy know-it-all chameleon, and VAM PIRO (a vampire bat with a big problem: He faints at the sight of blood!).

I AM YOUR GUMMY BEAR USA CD COVER

  GUMMIBÄR is a green blue-eyed character that is usually naked except for orange underwear and sneakers and also seems to have been bitten (with a small portion of the upper left ear missing), which may be why he sings about candy. Gummibär represents the child inside of us (much like SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS); and he’s a dancing machine!  He knows how to work that body like no one else! Again, much like the SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS character, there’s an element of adult sarcastic humor mixed in with a kid’s smart-alecky sensibility and I love it all. The theme song (“I am a Gummy Bear”) is like a classic earworm, and the new Christmas DVD, “The Yummy Gummy Search for Santa”, is a new Christmas classic. The cultural references sprinkled throughout the movie are to die for!

The first Gummibär theme song, “I’m a Gummy Bear” (“The Gummy Bear Song”), was produced in Germany in late 2006, and became a regional success as a dance song. The company has since created six additional music videos for a global audience in an increasing number of languages, has recorded additional songs, and Gummibär songs and videos have now been recorded in over 28 languages. They recently announced the addition of party supply products and cookie cutters to the mix, and much more are on the way. For Christmas 2012, check the new Christmas DVD, the CDs (“I am a Gummy Bear”, “Gummibär Christmas Jollies”, “Gummibär: La La Love to Dance”) and the DVD (“The Gummibär Video Collection”). For more information and where-to-buy, visit www.gummibar.net, www.gummibar.net/music/, www.facebook.com/funnygummy, www.gummybearinternational.com/.