NEW YORK, Jan 10, 2008 / — Fashionistas start packing, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York is three weeks away.  With producers, sponsors and designers scurrying to put finishing touches on shows and hospitality suites, Bryant Park will soon be the center of the fashion world again when the Fall 2008 collections are presented. 

An official ribbon cutting ceremony on the morning of February 1st to open the Bryant Park Tents will feature IMG Fashion Senior Vice President, Fern Mallis with the cast of the new NBC series, Lipstick Jungle, starring Brooke Shields, Kim Raver and Lindsay Price.

Also participating are Lipstick Jungle author and series executive producer Candace Bushnell and Stephen Cannon, Vice President of Marketing, Mercedes-Benz USA.

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

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.

The renowned Bryant Park Tents will house three venues this season:  the Promenade, the Salon and the largest venue, the Tent.  For the eight days of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the tents will host more than 100,000 people attending runway shows, conducting interviews, reviewing and buying collections and recognizing the importance and economic impact of the city’s prestigious fashion industry.