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.

The Estée Lauder Companies’ 2016 Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign Unites The World In Action To Defeat Breast Cancer

Unique Voices Join Together To Encourage Acts That Inspire, Support Others And Promote Health And Wellness Year-Round

Together, Our Actions Can Bring Us Closer To A World Without Breast Cancer.

The BCA Campaign is The Estée Lauder Companies’ Largest Corporate Philanthropic Initiative And Is Active In More Than 70 Countries.

Breast cancer now represents one in four of all cancers in women worldwide and touches lives every day. While individual experiences with the disease may vary, the desire to defeat breast cancer is universal.

This year, in honor of a shared vision for a world without this disease, The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign celebrates the power of global solidarity by encouraging people around the world to “Take Action Together to Defeat Breast Cancer.” The 2016 BCA Campaign invites women, men and families to draw inspiration from one another and unite in action on www.BCAcampaign.com and social media, while supporting lifesaving breast cancer research.

Over the past two decades, The Estée Lauder Companies’ BCA Campaign, launched by the late Evelyn H. Lauder, co-creator of the Pink Ribbon and founder of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation® (BCRF), has been a leading voice for breast cancer awareness around the world, igniting a global movement that has helped save millions of lives and fund innovative breast cancer research. Today, The BCA Campaign is active in more than 70 countries and has raised more than $65 million to support global research, education and medical services, with more than $50 million funding 200 BCRF Medical Research Grants worldwide over the past 22 years. These funds help accelerate critical research across wide-ranging areas such as tumor biology, heredity and ethnicity, lifestyle and prevention, treatment, survivorship and metastasis. Around the world, The BCA Campaign partners with more than 60 breast cancer organizations focused on breast cancer research, education and medical services and is committed to raising $6 million in support of its mission to defeat breast cancer through education and medical research.

The Estée Lauder Companies’ 2016 Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign celebrates the power of global solidarity by encouraging people around the world to “Take Action Together to Defeat Breast Cancer.”

William P. Lauder, Executive Chairman of The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., proudly champions The BCA Campaign’s mission worldwide and continues to honor the legacy of his late mother, Evelyn H. Lauder, stating “Our longstanding commitment to defeating breast cancer is a powerful source of pride at The Estée Lauder Companies—spanning continents, cultures and languages. Each year, our employees, consumers and partners worldwide come together to enhance awareness, raise funds and inspire meaningful action to fight this disease.”

(The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products. The Company’s products are sold in over 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Prescriptives, Lab Series, Origins, Tommy Hilfiger, M·A·C, Kiton, La Mer, Bobbi Brown, Donna Karan New York, DKNY, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Michael Kors, Darphin, Tom Ford, Smashbox, Ermenegildo Zegna, AERIN, Tory Burch, RODIN olio lusso, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW and By Kilian.)

The following highly sought-after and iconic brands of The Estée Lauder Companies are contributing to The 2016 BCA Campaign by selling Pink Ribbon Products or making donations to BCRF.

Beginning September 30, 2016, the global BCA Campaign will:

• BRING AWARENESS to the importance of breast health globally by distributing educational brochures and millions of Pink Ribbons at The Estée Lauder Companies’ brand counters worldwide, as well as through BCAcampaign.com and social media @BCAcampaign
• UNITE A VARIETY OF KEY PARTNERS and influencers worldwide to demonstrate the power of taking action together and encourage others to make a difference
• GALVANIZE The Estée Lauder Companies’ employees around the world to participate in walks, fundraisers, auctions, concerts and other events to benefit BCRF and local breast cancer charities
• HOST A VARIETY of workshops, seminars and trainings to raise awareness of breast cancer and early prevention
• PROVIDE PEOPLE AROUND the world with a range of meaningful, impactful content on BCAcampaign.com that encourages them to take action in the fight against breast cancer throughout the year and offer opportunities to continue the conversation on social media
• ILLUMINATE BUILDINGS, MONUMENTS AND LANDMARKS WORLDWIDE in glowing pink lights to raise awareness of breast health and empower people around the world to take action to defeat breast cancer; in New York, the iconic Pink Ribbon will scroll across the mast of the Empire State Building, which will be lit in brilliant pink.
• KICK OFF BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH by engaging BCA Campaign spokespeople at key events worldwide that spotlight the power of taking action together. On September 30, Elizabeth Hurley, Global Ambassador for The BCA Campaign, rang The New York Stock Exchange Closing Bell®, joined by inspiring employees of The Estée Lauder Companies .
• Offer Pink Ribbon Products globally through many of The Estée Lauder Companies’ sought-after beauty brands to raise awareness and funds

Rachel Zoe And Rodger Berman To Host OCRF’s First-Ever Super Saturday Event In Las Vegas

Ovarian Cancer Research Fund’s Luxury Shopping Event to be held at Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian & The Palazzo and Fashion Show, Sept. 19-20

The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) will bring its popular Super Saturday shopping event to the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian & The Palazzo, and Fashion Show Las Vegas with unique spin. Hosted by Designer, Stylist, Editor and Author Rachel Zoe and husband and business partner Rodger Berman, the annual event, which New York Newsday called the ‘hottest summer event in the Hamptons,’ will launch in Vegas Sept. 19- 20, 2015.

OCRF’s Super Saturday designer shopping extravaganza, was created in 1998 by Donna Karan and the late Liz Tilberis (the late Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar US, who has since died from the disease). Super Saturday Los Angeles launched in 2014, and is hosted by Rachel Zoe and Molly Sims. In 2014, at both Super Saturday Los Angeles and New York, more than 2,000 people attended the events and raised over $ 4.1 million with net proceeds going directly to OCRF and its programs. Special guests included celebrities, influencers, designers, media, supporters and their families, and fashion lovers. The Hamptons event has been hosted by Kelly Ripa and Donna Karan while the LA event was hosted by Rachel Zoe, Rodger Berman, Molly Sims and Scott Stuber.

The exclusive Las Vegas weekend will showcase an assortment of special retail incentives from luxury brands including Michael Kors, Tory Burch, DVF, Fendi, Robert Graham, Melissa Shoes, Ted Baker London, Topshop, Links of London and Island Company to name a few. Most participating retailers will donate a percentage of weekend sales to OCRF.

A force within the fashion and design industry for nearly two decades, Zoe has been heralded as one of the most influential forces working in fashion today. In addition to dressing clients for a bevy of red carpet events, styling countless editorial spreads, and lending her vast expertise to brands, Zoe has authored two New York Times best-selling books, and is the Editor in Chief of The Zoe Report, her online style destination and newsletter. As a designer, Zoe makes her exceptional taste and expertise accessible to the fashion savvy with Rachel Zoe Collection, comprised of ready-to-wear, footwear and jewelry lines. Zoe will soon return to television as the host of her own late night talk show, Fashionably Late with Rachel Zoe, which will debut September 24th on Lifetime. Attendees can also meet Rachel Zoe when she signs copies of her newest book Living in Style.

The two-day extravaganza will feature a VIP brunch at Barneys New York, a Pucker Up Bar, Canyon Ranch SpaClub pop-up spa, a Pepsi Lounge, and Sephora makeup touch-ups.  A signature gift with purchase — two complimentary show tickets to Rock of Ages — will be available for those who spend $750 (restrictions apply – see official event guide for complete details).
Fashion Show will also highlight not-to-be-missed runway shows on the center’s elevated stage, featuring Saks Fifth Avenue and top seasonal must-haves.

“We are thrilled to bring OCRF’s Super Saturday to the Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, The Palazzo and Fashion Show Las Vegas. Their support of OCRF’s research programs will further propel us in our fight to find a cure for ovarian cancer,” says Audra Moran, president & CEO, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) is the oldest and largest charity in the United States funding ovarian cancer research that leads to more effective identification, treatment, and ultimately a cure for ovarian cancer, as well as related educational and support initiatives. Each year there will be approximately 22,000 new cases of ovarian cancer in the United States, and nearly 15,500 women will die of the disease. Currently there is no effective means of early detection.

“Vegas is the ultimate fashion destination. It’s the only place in the world where you can shop every top designer and brand in one central location,” says Janet LaFevre, senior marketing manager, Grand Canal Shoppes and Fashion Show. “Being able to bring Super Saturday to Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian, The Palazzo and Fashion Show gives our guests a chance to enjoy incredible shopping, dining, and entertainment all while contributing to a significant cause. We are elated to announce this partnership and first-ever Vegas location.”

Since 1998, OCRF has awarded over $65 million to ovarian cancer researchers around the country. OCRF-sponsored investigators are developing innovative strategies for early detection; exploring the genetics that increase risk for ovarian cancer; understanding the underlying molecular biology of the disease; identifying new and better targets for treatment; and deciphering how and why ovarian cancer spreads, and how to stop it. OCRF also supports a national program, Woman to Woman, which in 2015 will be providing support through more than 20 hospitals around the country to women in treatment for any gynecologic cancer, as well as their families, by pairing them with survivor volunteers who offer one-on-one emotional support and mentoring. For more information visit Ovarian Cancer Research Fund’s website at supersaturday.ocrf.org/vegasstyle, thefashionshow.com and thegrandcanalshoppes.com

Nordstrom & Piece & Co. Launch Capsule Collection with Eight Top Brands to Support Women Worldwide

This spring, Nordstrom and Piece & Co. are collaborating on a new collection of apparel and accessories that connects style with global impact. Founded in 2011 by Kathleen Wright, Piece & Co. is committed to ending global poverty by providing sustainable employment opportunities to female artisans. Wright wanted to help women artisans create a marketplace for their products, and in turn create sustainable employment for themselves. Soon she began to make connections with brands that were looking for authentic alternatives to factory-produced fabrics and accessories and today, the handmade textiles she helps source – ikat, block print, tie-dye – are sought-after for their one-of-a-kind prints, bold colors and interesting textures. Piece & Co. was born. To date, Piece & Co. has created thousands of jobs for women in more than 30 countries by connecting their craft with brands who serve a global marketplace of conscious consumers. With one brand’s order, between 75 and 100 artisans can be employed for up to three months. By joining forces with Nordstrom, these brands are able to create more than 5,000 jobs through Piece & Co.

A woman tie-dies fabric in Jodhpur, India. (PRNewsFoto/Nordstrom, Inc.)

 

Launching today, the capsule collection brings to life the work of women artisans around the world through unique, stylish pieces from eight incredible brands – Alice + Olivia, Current/Elliott, DVF, Joie, Rebecca Minkoff, Theory, The Honest Company, and Tory Burch. Each brand worked closely with Piece & Co. to source handmade materials and fabrics that are then incorporated into their pieces – dresses, tops, skirts, shorts and handbags. The collection will be available at select Nordstrom stores and on nordstrom.com (nordstrom.com/pieceandco).

A Rebecca Minkoff jacket and skirt and Alice + Olivia dress from the Nordstrom + Piece & Co. collection. (PRNewsFoto/Nordstrom, Inc.)

In the collection, customers will find classic silhouettes revisited in global patterns and colors, including:

–    DVF‘s iconic wrap dress, this time made with hand-printed indigo batik, an ancient fabric printing technique that incorporates wax resist and dye.
–    Alice + Olivia‘s A-line dress in an artisan-made bold blue and white loom-woven fabric, made in a weaving cooperative in India.
–    Rebecca Minkoff‘s ‘Mini MAC’ cross-body in cognac leather accented with backstrap loom fabric, an ancient weave technique from Vietnam.
–    Tory Burch‘s crackle printed canvas separates made of hand-painted fabric from Zambia.
–    The Honest Company‘s nursing scarves made from hand-woven stripe and chambray designs and silk-screen printed fabrics from Maheshwar and Jodhpur, India.
–    Theory‘s tunics and city shorts in fatigue and block prints from India that are created using a hand-carved wooden stamp.
–    Current/Elliott‘s prep school shirts in black & white ikat or floral block prints made in India.
–    Joie‘s blue and white ikat on casual summer staples: jumper, shorts and a sleeveless dress.

“What excites us most about this collaboration with Piece & Co. is how each of the brands really embraced the idea that the clothing they’re designing can truly make a difference,” said Tricia Smith, executive vice president, general merchandise manager, Women’s Apparel at Nordstrom. “It’s been inspiring to see how all of the brands have enjoyed creating their items with these beautiful fabrics and how they’ve now been incorporated into their spring collections.”

“When you invest in a woman, you invest in her family and community, too,” said Wright. “On average, women invest 90 percent of their income back into their families. This includes putting healthy food on the table, paying for their children to go school, or buying healthcare. And our artisans are no different. When we employ one artisan woman, we impact many. Pretty amazing things happen when women from around the world come together. I’m excited for the possibilities that this collaboration with Nordstrom and these fantastic brands brings.”

The 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards Winners

JOSEPH ALTUZARRA NAMED WOMENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR

RIHANNA NAMED FASHION ICON OF THE YEAR

AWARDS SHOW TO BE WEBCAST ON CFDA.COM ON TUESDAY, JUNE 3RD AT 11AM

House Photography:  BFA: www.bfanyc.com

Last night, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) paid tribute to the winners and honorees of the 2014 CFDA Fashion Awards in collaboration with Swarovski at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. Film director and screenwriter John Waters was the host for the evening. For the thirteenth year in a row, the evening was generously underwritten by Swarovski. Highlights of the evening included a live tribute featuring sixteen models of color in Diane von Furstenberg dresses paying homage to Founder’s Award honoree Bethann Hardison for advocating diversity on the runways and Michael Kors leading the In Memoriam segment in which he honored the passing of Annabel Tollman, L’Wren Scott, and Art Ortenberg over the past year.

2014 CFDA Fashion Awards – Award Presentation with hos John Waters

Nominees, honorees, and winners were determined by the CFDA Awards Guild which is comprised of CFDA members, leading fashion journalists, stylists, and top retail executives. Ernst & Young, LLP was the official accounting firm of the Awards.

“Tonight, we celebrated creativity, experience, and conviction by honoring the diversity and vibrancy of individuals who define the influence of the fashion industry,” said CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg.

ACCESSORIES WINNERS – THE ROWMARY – KATE OLSEN & ASHLEY OLSEN WITH PRESENTER KERI RUSSELL(Center)

Dao-Yi Chow, James Marsden, Maxwell Osborne

Lupita Nyongo, Joseph Altuzarra

The evening’s Womenswear Designer of the Year honors went to Joseph Altuzarra for Altuzarra, presented by Lupita Nyong’o. The award for Menswear Designer of the Year was presented to Maxwell Osborne & Dao-Yi Chow for Public School by actor James Marsden. Mary-Kate Olsen & Ashley Olsen for The Row took home the Accessories Designer of the Year Award, presented by actress Keri Russell.

Sebastian Stan, Christopher Peters, Nadja Swarovski, Shane Gabier, Greta Gerwig, Tim Coppens, Irene Neuwirth

Greta Gerwig and Sebastian Stan presented the three Swarovski Awards, which honor and recognize emerging talent. The Swarovski Award for Womenswear was given to Shane Gabier & Christopher Peters for Creatures of the Wind. The Swarovski Award for Menswear was presented to Tim Coppens. The Swarovski Award for Accessory Design went to Irene Neuwirth. Recipients in each category will receive generous financial support from the company as well as exposure to the company’s vast and innovative crystal products and applications for fashion.

Rihanna was presented with the Fashion Icon award by Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour who praised the musician for her ability to tell captivating stories through the boldness and beauty of clothes. Rihanna thanked members of the audience: “the designers, the models, and everyone else who has inspired me.”

“The CFDA believes in designers at every stage of their career.  Last night we recognized a broad range of talent and influence from student scholarship winners and emerging talent to industry icons,” added CFDA CEO Steven Kolb.

“It’s been an honor to partner with the CFDA in celebrating the very best in American fashion for thirteen incredible years, and the creativity of the award winners never fails to amaze.  We are especially pleased to support the industry’s next generation through the Swarovski Awards. It’s a privilege to help these dazzling young talents evolve and realize their visions as they take the next steps in their careers,” said Nadja Swarovski, Member of the Swarovski Executive Board.

The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Tom Ford by Richard Buckley for his consistent, creative influence on fashion.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE TOM FORD

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.

 

Tory Burch Opens Rodeo Drive Flagship: New Boutique Reflects LA’s Easy Glamour

Images Provided by Tory Burch LLC

Tory Burch LLC announces the opening of its first West Coast flagship at 366 North Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills in November. This is the company’s fourth boutique in Los Angeles and its thirteenth in California.

Tory Burch Rodeo Drive Flagship Boutique – Exterior

Reflecting the easy glamour that defines Los Angeles, the three-story, 4700-square-foot space has been custom designed by Tory Burch and architect Daniel Romualdez to create a residential feel. A brass fretwork facade inspired by Chinese Chippendale sets the tone for a beautiful and intimate interior where abaca rugs, brown lacquer walls and cane tables provide a neutral backdrop for seafoam drapes, teal velvet sofas and blue-and-white porcelain.

Tory Burch Rodeo Drive Flagship Boutique – VIP Floor

Decorative elements feel elegant yet laidback — gold leaf peony wallpaper mixed with white coral sconces; a Madeleine Castaing carpet in an oak-paneled room; and a velvet sofa under an antique tile mirror Tory discovered in Morocco. The flagship has several unique spaces as well, from a private VIP room for shopping to a terrace with a working fireplace and living room, blurring the line between indoors and out.

Tory Burch Rodeo Drive Flagship Boutique – Interior

“Rodeo Drive is so iconic to Los Angeles,” says CEO and designer Tory Burch. “From a global perspective, it is also very important for our brand.”

In celebration of the opening there will be a home collection exclusive to the Rodeo Drive flagship, including needlepoint pillows, brass frames, handmade boxes and pieces for entertaining. The entire Tory Burch collection will also be available, including ready-to-wear, handbags, shoes, jewelry, small leather goods, swimwear, accessories and the new fragrance and beauty collection with Estee Lauder.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Announces Preliminary Schedule for the new York Spring/Summer 2014 Collections

Summer may be almost over, but the fashion industry is kicking into high gear as the 2014 Spring/Summer New York Fashion Shows are just a few weeks away from their debut. Mercedes-Benz Fashion (New York) Week draws hundreds of thousands of fashion fans to New York City, and today IMG Fashion, owners and producers of the Event, announced the preliminary line up of designers who will take center-stage at Lincoln Center, September 5-12, 2013.

“Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week truly embodies the global scale of the fashion industry and highlights the limitless boundaries of design. A leader in the global fashion event circuit; Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York has the highest number of international designers who choose to make this Event the home for their Collection debuts,” says Christina Neault, Executive Producer, IMG Fashion Events and Properties. “As well, with three fashion schools and numerous emerging designers presenting alongside their established colleagues, Lincoln Center is the place to discover the next rising star.”

“Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York is internationally recognized as the world’s stage to premier the latest developments in cutting-edge fashion to the global fashion industry,” said Stephanie Zimmer, Manager of Brand Experience Marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. “The excitement is building in anticipation of what will hit the runways from both the well-known designers and emerging talent showing this season.”

Over 100,000 guests, journalists, buyers and members of the industry make Lincoln Center become the heartbeat of the city for the 8 days of shows and events. Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined by DHL, American Express®, Maybelline New York, TRESemmé, Samsung, Reel Code, Style Network, WGSN, Beck’s Sapphire, The New York Times, as well as Women’s Wear Daily and Getty Images.

September 5th

• 9AM NICHOLAS K at STUDIO
• 10AM BCBGMAXAZRIA at THEATRE
• 11AMR ICHARD CHAI at STAGE
• 1PM SUPIMA at STUDIO
• 2PM TADASHI SHOJI at STAGE
• 2:30-3:30PMC ANDELA at BOX
• 3PM DESIGUAL at THEATRE
• 5PM MARISSA WEBB at STUDIO

JESSICA SIMPSON ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF MATERNITY COLLECTION WITH DESTINATION MATERNITY

PARTNERSHIP WITH DESTINATION MATERNITY CORPORATION BRINGS JESSICA SIMPSON® MATERNITY COLLECTION TO OVER 800 LOCATIONS

Jessica Simpson, who recently announced she is expecting her second child, will expand the JESSICA SIMPSON MATERNITY COLLECTION with partner DESTINATION MATERNITY CORPORATION to over 800 doors by early Spring 2013. The collection is currently available at approximately 350 points of distribution including select DESTINATION MATERNITY®, MOTHERHOOD® MATERNITY, and MACY’S® stores.

Miss Simpson launched the JESSICA SIMPSON® MATERNITY COLLECTION in the Fall of 2012 through an exclusive licensing agreement between CAMUTO GROUP, the master licensee behind THE JESSICA SIMPSON® COLLECTION, and DESTINATION MATERNITY, the world’s leading maternity apparel retailer. Spring 2013 is the third delivery for the maternity collection.

A look from the Jessica Simpson(R) Maternity Spring 2013 collection. Dress, $59.00 and Denim Jacket, $69.00, available at select Destination Maternity(R), Motherhood(R) Maternity, and Macy’s(R) stores in February. (PRNewsFoto/Destination Maternity Corporation)

The SPRING 2013 JESSICA SIMPSON® MATERNITY COLLECTION has a soft and romantic theme. Flowing tops paired with skinny bottoms return as the signature look of the collection and are freshened up for the season with lace details, light airy fabrics, elegant florals and accents of neon for an aesthetic that is classic, superbly feminine and cool. The pieces range in price from $19 to $69.