By donating a $500,000 check to the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and the Vogue Fashion Fund, American Express has successfully announced its support, jumpstarting the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. As a promise, they said that they want to bring back the thrill of the trendiest event in New York to their card members. Lots of events and initiatives will allow card holders to take on the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week into a whole new level. Because of these initiatives, American Express wishes to establish a certain link between fashion designers and influencers with the fashionista card members.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America and the Vouge Fashion Fund was basically established to help discover American talent in designing. They have been successful so far with this quest, and in supporting the business of fashion. The $500,000 from American Express is another avenue for them to improve their aims and uphold the standing of the Fashion Industry

“At this year’s Fashion Week we are creating extraordinary experiences for our Card members, enabling them to get an up-close, multifaceted look into the world of fashion,” Claire Bennett, Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Media for American Express was quoted saying in an interview. “Our Card members are passionate about fashion and we are continuously looking at ways to heighten their access to one of the most important industry events and to demonstrate our dedication and support of the industry.”

“The CFDA is proud to partner with American Express as they continue to deepen their presence and influence within the fashion industry,” Diane Von Furstenberg, CFDA President said in the same interview. “Their donation signifies their commitment to the future of this thriving industry.”

According to edubourse.com, here is a preview of Exclusive Card Member Access:American Express® Skybox: American Express will be unveiling a newly enhanced skybox, overlooking both the Main Tent and the Promenade, providing premium access to Gold Card members, Platinum Card® members and Centurion® Card members to experience the shows in a truly unique way. The skybox, a lounge-style viewing room, is undetectable from the runway, however, inside, Card members will enjoy appetizers, cocktails and an up-close view of the runway shows. American Express has numerous surprises in store that will make the once-in-a-lifetime experience extraordinary this year.

Here are some “By Invitation Only” Experiences: In December, the By Invitation Only Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week packages*, available exclusively for Platinum Card and Centurion Card members, were sold out in a matter of days. These packages give Card members full-day access to the Skybox on February 2nd and 3rd, coordinated meet-and-greets with fashion industry insiders, behind-the-scenes tours, and a visit to hair and make-up stylists to perfect their event look.

The American express “Card Member Only” experience in the Fashion Show includes: American Express will be bringing the excitement and passion of Peter Som’s Collection exclusively to an audience of American Express Card members who will be seated as industry insiders “on the floor.” The “Card Member Only” Fashion Show will take place on February 6th at 9 p.m. in the Promenade. Packages* for the Fashion Show will go on sale January 23rd.

Full details of all American Express activities will be announced at the start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and the proceeds from the sale of event packages will add up to the donated $500,000 to the CFDA and Vogue Fashion Fund.

Source: edubourse.com 

Capping off the Mercedes Benz Championship, one of the most prestigious Golf tournament sponsored by a major automotive company, it was Daniel Chopra who came out as the victor after topping the play-off. Chopra won over Steve Stricker by a “tap-in birdie on the fourth play-off hole, the par-five ninth.” This win is Chopra’s second time to catch the title for his entire PGA Tour career.

At the 18^th hole, it was Chopra and Stricker who both came out to fight mano-a-mano. Stephen Ames however, was one shot further back. Mike Weir, Canada’s representative, actually came out short carding a 70 to finish fourth at 16 under, despite his one-shot lead.

“It was an unbelievable day,” Chopra was quoted saying in an interview. “I felt very comfortable all week, really.”

Stricker was showed what a good sport he was and was quoted saying: “It was a great start to the year. I can be a little disappointed, I guess, because I didn’t win. But again, it was a good start.”

Catch the PGA Tour next year and see who will inherit Chopra’s title, sponsored again by the makers of quality Mercedes Benz parts.

Source: UK press

Get ready Fashionistas, the biggest fashion event sponsored by Mercedes Benz is only three weeks away—and you are definitely not one to miss it.

As the event’s sponsors, producers, and designers rush around New York to prepare hospitality suites and the production of the show, Bryant Park is getting ready to be the center of fashion attention once again. As February unveils itself up to February 8, all eyes will truly be on the Fall 2008 collections which will be showcased at the prestigious Bryant Park.

There will be an official ribbon cutting ceremony on the morning of February 1, signaling that the Bryant Park Tents is open. Featuring IMG Fashion’s Senior Vice President Fern Mallis together with the cast of the new NBC show Lipstick Jungle, Brooke Shields, Kim Raver, and Lindsay Price. Just as well, Lipstick Jungle’s author and series executive producer Candace Bunshell will be present, together with Mercedes Benz USA Vice President of Marketing Stephen Cannon.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled about the exciting activities planned for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week this season,” Mallis was quoted saying in an interview by Berlinista. “We have one of the best schedules of designers from around the world, coming together in Bryant Park.”

According to the Berlinista, the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week schedule “begins with Nautica and is followed by The Heart Truth’s Red Dress Collection 2008, Perry Ellis, Yigal Azrouël, Duckie Brown, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Yeohlee, Nicole Miller, Erin Fetherston, Venexiana, Lacoste, Academy of Art University, Abaeté, Araks, Mara Hoffman, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Juan Carlos Obando, Z Zegna, Verrier, Sass & Bide, Rock & Republic, Akiko Ogawa., Lela Rose, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, DKNY, Twinkle by Wenlan, Tracy Reese, Diane Von Furstenberg, Y-3, Angel Sanchez, Tuleh, Miss Sixty, Terexov, Peter Som, Carolina Herrera, R. Scott French, Jill Stuart, Betsey Johnson, Luca Luca, Pamella Roland, MAX AZRIA, Ports 1961, Iodice, Tibi, Badgley Mischka, Monique Lhuillier, Cynthia Steffe, Dennis Basso, Diesel, Joanna Mastroianni, Vivienne Tam, Malan Breton, Nanette Lepore, Michael Kors, Milly by Michelle Smith, Carlos Miele, Anna Sui, Richard Chai, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Temperley London, Vera Wang, Naeem Khan, Rebecca Taylor, Bill Blass, Reem Acra, Calvin Klein, Chris Han, Tommy Hilfiger, Custo Barcelona, Zac Posen, Jayson Brunsdon, Project Runway, Ralph Lauren, Tadashi Shoji, Carmen Marc Valvo, Willow, Donna Karan Collection, Zang Toi and Sean John.”

For the eight days of the Fashion event, it is the three Bryant Park Tents that will be the busiest. The three tents are: the Promenade, the Salon, and the largest venue, the Tent. The tents will host more than 100,000 fashionistas, watching the spectacle by attending runway shows, or the press conducting interviews, reviewing and of course, buying collections. Just as well, the said event is aimed for the people to recognize the “importance and economic impact of the city’s prestigious fashion industry,” according to the Berlinista.

When it comes to making the event possible, title sponsor Mercedes Benz will be joined by “DHL, American Express, MAC Cosmetics, LYCRA®, Judith Ripka, YKK, W Hotels Worldwide, The Heart Truth Campaign, Evian, Peroni, Rioja Wines, Imperia Vodka, Chambord, and BAWLS Guarana as well as the following media partners The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily, Full Frontal Fashion, ULTRA HD, IQONS and Getty Images. Each of these sponsors will be providing hospitality, services and amenities to make the hectic week of shows as effortless and pleasurable as possible for all attendees.”

Source: The Berlinista

With an excellent turn-out for the 2007 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Berlin, the company is now ready to do more for 2008. The Mercedes Benz fashion week has already been considered as one of the top international fashion events. This will greatly help for January’s event since they no longer need to establish the fashion event, but just make it full of surprises courtesy of famous designers and the fresh young ones.

The fashion event has made a huge impact on the German carmaker’s image as a title sponsor for the most fashionable events. This is reason enough for Mercedes Benz to continue on and make their fashion week a yearly gathering of trend-setters and fans.

“Elegance and styling have always played a key role in the success of the Mercedes Benz brand,” Vice President for Brand Communications, Dr. Olaf Göttgens said in a statement released by Daimler. “The Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Berlin establishes even stronger ties between our brand and the world of fashion. We are proud once again in 2008 to present in Berlin a fashion event of international standing.”

Starting on January 27 to the 31st next year, the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin will be showcasing works from top international and German designers like Marcel Ostertag, Strenesse and Unrath & Strano. These acclaimed designers will be using the fashion event as their platform to show their collections as fashion enthusiasts are expected to gather in Berlin Postbanhof. Renowned designers from PUMA will be flaunting their new stuff as well in a trunk show which will be held in side locations.

The 2007 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Berlin heightened the carmaker’s stance as a title endorser. If one must remember, they are also the sponsors for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York, one of the four awaited-for fashion events in the world. Bringing this fashion flair in Berlin will surely not be so difficult, as their spectators will surely remain loyal.

Mercedes Benz owners and enthusiasts are surely looking forward for the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show as 19 of the manufacturer’s cars, which are mix concept and updated cars, will grace the event this September 12.

According to Geoff Day, who is the director of corporate communications for Mercedes Benz, the luxury automobile manufacturer will showcase 19 new finds in only 15 minutes. This long list of cars will consist of concept cars and upgraded models. Hyrbrid cars will also grace the said auto show.

Most of the cars in the upcoming auto show will be likely from the F-class line of the luxury automobile company. The Mercedes Benz F700 concept car, which is a big luxury car, will be part of the show. The F700 may have drawn its name and some of the Benz parts from the Mercedes Benz F500 concept car, which was introduced in the Tokyo auto show four years ago.

A hybrid diesel powertrain and a night vision system will be the latest features that will keep the F500 above the ranks. Aside from the additional upgrades, the F500 is equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. What makes this engine superb is that it works like a diesel, but burns gasoline. Thanks to the spark plugs, the burn cycle of the gasoline is fired up. These abilities of the Mercedes Benz F500 engine makes it more fuel efficient. This powerful big-built luxury car is more than just the power because it also a pro-environment vehicle as it guarantees lower Nitrogen oxide emissions.

These model upgrades are just some of the things that will surely draw a lot of people in the Frankfurt auto show.

Maple, which is one of Canada’s fastest growing cities in northern Toronto, now houses to the 14th and latest addition in the Mercedes Benz dealerships across Canada – the Mercedes Benz Maple.

Strategically located on the 3.4 acres in the Maple Auto Mall, the new 30-employee run Mercedes Benz Maple facility is selling the luxury sedans, sports cars, and the Mercedes Benz auto parts. Moreover, the German automaker’s smart car will also be sold in this dealership that is situated between Vaughan Mills Mall and Canada’s Wonderland.

The very first vehicle bought in the Maple dealership was a striking Mercedes Benz SL550 sedan, which was geared with in an 18-inch AMG double-spoke alloy wheels with front air dam, grille and tail lights. Cathy Zanchin, who bought the Mercedes Benz SL model coupe, was delighted to have been tagged as the the first official customer at the Benz Maple branch.

“This new facility is absolutely gorgeous; totally what I expected from Mercedes-Benz but above all, it is very conveniently located for me,” said Zanchin. ”I live close to this booming part of Toronto and it made great sense for Mercedes-Benz Canada to build a dealership here.”

This Maple-based dealership, which is a total of 37,000 sq ft., is one of the seven of the brand’s operating in the Greater Toronto Area. Maple has 14 service bays, three wash bays, a fully stoked Benz parts department, and a drive-in reception area. To date, over 14 Mercedes Benz dealerships, which are either retail owned or operated, are made available for the Canadian market. The establishment of these branches, which are four in Toronto, four in Vancouver, two in Montreal, and one in London, provided more than 900 of jobs across Canada.

Mercedes Benz Canada opened the Maple branch last August 20 and has been running for business since then.

The most awaited Polo event has come to the Hamptons. The 2007 Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge was held at the Bridgehampton over the weekend. The Polo match is a benefit sporting challenge for the South Fork Breast Health Coalition, rendering all proceeds to help the Coalition’s advocacy for women’s health.

The season kicked off last Saturday, July 21, and will run for six consecutive Saturdays, which will be concluded on August 25. All the matches will be held at 4 pm to 6 in the evening. Sponsored by JetOne Jets, alice + olivia, The St. Regis, Jaeger-LeCoultre Watches, the Trump Organization, and Hamptons magazine, the Polo Match was simply one of the much-awaited ritzy events.

“JetOne Jets has aligned itself with this coveted event because we believe our company is in sync with the image and prestige it carries in the Hamptons, and recognize that private flying is really part of a certain type of lifestyle,” President and co-founder Anthony Ottima said in an interview.

This star-studded commencement was hosted by Actress Debra Messing and Reggie Jackson. The actress almost did not make it to the event due to heavy traffic on her way to Bridgehampton. Fortunately, she got there in the nick of time. Messing also revealed that she is currently working on a new film, the remake of the classic film “The Women.”

This event is a part of the efforts of Mercedes Benz to continue serving its patrons not only through the high-quality Mercedes Benz Parts, but also in fostering a community as well.

“We are thrilled that this year’s Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge will be held at the Jet One Jets field,” announces Neil Hirsch, President of the Bridgehampton Polo Club, “Their participation only heightens the exclusivity and luxury of the challenge experience.”

So go on, take your S-Class for a ride at the Hamptons and roll down the Mercedes Windows to check out the event.