7th On Sixth and UPS Announce Designer Lineup for UPS Delivers Fashion's Future at Olympus Fashion Week

, August 25, 2005

Ten designers have been selected to participate in UPS Delivers Fashion's Future, a platform created exclusively for up-and-coming designers to show their collections at the renowned Olympus Fashion Week in New York's Bryant Park.

"UPS is proud to support this talented group of new designers at such an important industry event," said David Abney, president, UPS International. "We're helping them focus on what they do best – designing, showing and selling their collections, while UPS can ensure their business is prepared behind the scenes."

Carefully chosen by an industry committee from Vogue, 7th on Sixth, the CFDA, Parsons and Fashion Group International, these designers will present their Spring 2006 collections in the "UPS Hub," a fourth venue in the famed Bryant Park tents. As part of UPS's commitment to supporting new talent in the fashion industry, UPS has underwritten the cost of constructing and renting the venue.

The 10 presenting designers are:

Abaeté: Designer Laura Poretzky presents her ready-to-wear collection with a South American flair.

Ashish N Soni: Well known in India, Ashish N Soni will present his first collection in the United States of black and white, Indian-inspired menswear and womenswear.

Doo.Ri: Winner of the 1995 Parson's Designer of the Year award, Doo Ri Chung presents a collection using minimalist design and simple, elegant materials.

Gary Graham: A graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago, Gary Graham will present romantic, deconstructive menswear and womenswear using innovative textiles for modern, wearable collections.

Kit Willow: Hailing from Australia, Kit Willow is known for her signature, tailored corsets, jackets and dresses detailed with hand-worked metal and glass appliqués.

Mary Ping: A New York native, Mary Ping draws from her training in fine art and sculpture to create a collection for women with an artistic and elegant sensibility.

Matthew Earnest: New York newcomer Matthew Earnest designs a balanced collection of light and fresh menswear and womenswear.

Project Alabama: Drawing from more than 150 artisans, Alabama-based designer Natalie Chanin presents a unique and individual collection of womenswear.

Sandoval: Academy of Art University graduate Michael Carbaugh uses his eye for textile design to put new twists on classic design.

Tomer: Menswear designer Tomer Gendler's collections intend to change the direction of men's fashion.

"This is a fantastic roster of talented designers and we couldn't be more pleased to help each of them get the exposure that showing during Olympus Fashion Week can provide," said Fern Mallis, Executive Director of 7th on Sixth and Vice-President of IMG. "While we continue to present collections of the best known names in America, the buzz and interest is always about who's next and new, and with an inspired partner like UPS, we are able to deliver this as well!"

The UPS Hub also will feature "Inside Fashion's Future," an event where New York fashion design students will gather at the UPS Hub for an interactive panel discussion with the designers to reveal insights about the craft and business of fashion. This "real-world" discussion will be moderated by Sass Brown, associate professor in Fashion Design at FIT.

The UPS Hub can accommodate approximately 300 guests, seated and standing, and includes all of the state-of-the-art professional services and amenities offered in all of the 7th on Sixth venues. In addition, each of these emerging designers will receive benefits including a fully equipped backstage area, an expert design team for lighting, sound, stage and production, inclusion on signage, on the official website, acknowledgement in the Olympus Fashion Week agenda, and in the registered press and industry list.

Additional information can be found at olympusfashionweek.com.