MERCEDES-BENZ SPOTLIGHTS DESIGN AND CRAFTSMANSHIP AT SPRING 2009 FASHION WEEK

• Ralph Rucci Selected As Mercedes-Benz Presents designer
• AMG vehicle display and new STAR lounge by Laura Kirar at Bryant Park
• Special Mercedes-Benz exhibit paying tribute to Saks Fifth Avenue's Key to the Cure and signature edition 2009 S550
• Election inspired Mercedes-Benz 'Vote Fashion' accessory pins hit Fashion Week Tents

New York, NY - Mercedes-Benz is returning to the runway as the title sponsor of Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week by driving the excitement at the shows, backstage, and in the Bryant Park lobby. Mercedes-Benz celebrates the best in fashion and luxury this season with the Spring 2009 Mercedes-Benz Presents designer, Ralph Rucci, and the chic Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge which will cater to VIPs and celebrities. Mercedes-Benz will also welcome guests at Fashion Week to experience the ultimate in luxury automotives with the 2009 CLS63 AMG and limited edition Saks Fifth Avenue KEY TO THE CURE S550 sedan. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is from September 5th to the 12th at Bryant Park and showcases industry leading fashion designers including Chado Ralph Rucci, BCBG, Badgley Mischka, Diane Von Furstenberg, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Zac Posen.

Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer
Mercedes-Benz has handpicked couture designer Ralph Rucci as this year's Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer for his unwavering commitment to quality and his principal focus on luxury. Since 1981, Rucci has shown a strong affinity for artistic couture that is formal in its framework, yet multi-layered in its aesthetic, and rather than participate in current trends, Rucci establishes trends of his own. In 1994, he renamed his company Chado Ralph Rucci, after the Japanese tea ceremony. He chose the name in order to mirror the reverence, respect and integrity he holds for his profession, and because those were the qualities he wanted to explore through his clothes. "We are honored to partner with Chado Ralph Rucci on his Spring 2009 runway show," said Lisa Holladay, Manager, Brand Experience Marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. "Ralph's relentless attention to design, construction and detail matches our commitment in these important fields with our own products. We eagerly anticipate his show." Rucci's 2009 Collection will debut September 12th at 6:00pm at the Tents at Bryant Park.

Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge
Backstage, Mercedes-Benz has partnered with interior designer, Laura Kirar, to create this season's exclusive Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge. Kirar's design incorporates the season's jewel tones in a dark berry palette and her signature selection of sophisticated materials and furniture such as upholstered walls and Murano glass chandeliers. Kirar's design evokes a philosophy that Mercedes-Benz shares; a focus on quality, detail and authentic luxury. This season the lounge will host a series of chic, invite-only events celebrating the best the week has to offer.

With election season in full bloom, Mercedes-Benz is bringing the "Vote Fashion" to Fashion Week with a series of limited edition, politically inspired pins. With slogans such as 'The Highway is My Runway' and 'NYC is Fashion Country', these buttons will be the must-have accessory for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Available exclusively from Mercedes-Benz, participants are invited to choose their favorite design slogan at votembfashionweek.com.

Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Displays
The lobby at Bryant Park Tents will showcase the high performance CLS63 AMG opposite a diamond white metallic S550 Sedan. Built for speed, the CLS63 AMG marries superior power and handling with sleek, sensuous exterior lines. The 2009 CLS63 AMG features Alcantara interior roof liner, a carbon-fiber dashboard and new, sleek front and grill design. Opposite the CLS, Mercedes-Benz will preview the signature edition 2009 S550 which is this year's Saks KEY TO THE CURE car. As elegant as it is powerful, the S550 Sedan features exclusive Diamond White metallic exterior paint, Sahara Beige/Black interior, and 20"AMG 5-spoke light-alloy wheels with high-performance tires. A car for those who appreciate superior handling and power, the S550's 5.5-liter, 382-horsepower V-8 engine will rocket this sedan from 0-60 mph in only 5.4 seconds. "The S550 offers auto enthusiasts not only what they've come to expect from Mercedes-Benz – progressive automotive design, award-winning technical innovations and unparalleled performance – but now, as part of Key To The Cure, a unique opportunity to help make a difference in the fight against cancer," said Steve Cannon, vice president of marketing for Mercedes-Benz USA. "This is a cause that touches so many lives and we are proud to partner with Saks Fifth Avenue and the Entertainment Industry Foundation in this important campaign."

KEY TO THE CURE
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Saks Fifth Avenue's KEY TO THE CURE and as a national sponsor, Mercedes-Benz USA expects to contribute $1 million through the sale of 1,000 signature edition S-Class vehicles. Over the past six years Mercedes-Benz USA has raised over $6 million for KEY TO THE CURE. Throughout the years, a number of celebrity ambassadors including Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron, Hilary Swank, Renée Zellweger and this year's ambassador, Gwyneth Paltrow have supported the campaign. As part of the 10th anniverservary, Mercedes-Benz is supporting Lori Raimondo's journey across the country to raise awareness for breast cancer research in honor of her mother who died from the disease. Outfitted in a signature edition S550, Lori is driving from San Francisco to New York City and meeting with cancer survivors along the way. In the Tents, Mercedes-Benz will feature a dynamic display that highlights Lori's journey next to the S550 as well as the Karl Lagerfield-designed 2008 KEY TO THE CURE t-shirt that will be on sale at Saks. The Funds raised from Saks Fifth Avenue's KEY TO THE CURE will benefit more than 50 charitable programs nationwide dedicated to finding new detection methods, treatments and cures for women's cancers. More information is available at www.kttcroadtrip.com.

Mercedes-Benz Newsgroup
Online, Mercedes-Benz is providing press information and complimentary, high-resolution photography from all three Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week venues in the United States (including New York, Los Angeles at Smashbox Studios, and Miami/Swim). During the New York Collections the

Newsgroup will update daily, offering photography from both the runway and celebrity-packed front row shot by the incomparable Dan Lecca. Once the shows have concluded, images from each season will remain available at the Newsgroup's archive. For more information about Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week and for a schedule of shows, events, and complimentary photography, accredited journalists may visit and register at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Newsgroup located at www.newsgroup.mbusa.com .

ABOUT MERCEDES-BENZ
Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. Beginning in 2007, Mercedes-Benz USA became the title sponsor of IMG's New York, Los Angeles and Miami Fashion Weeks, signifying the first time all three properties have been united under a single sponsor. Mercedes-Benz is also engaged in international markets in Fashion Week title sponsorships with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin as the most recent example. In 2007, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 253,433 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 14 consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.

ABOUT RALPH RUCCI

Ralph Rucci is one of the most refined and exacting couturiers working today. With a commitment to quality that is unwavering, Rucci is creating a grand visual epic, an evolving artistic narrative that reaches beyond the boundaries of contemporary fashion. Chado Ralph Rucci incorporates reverence, respect and integrity, combining haute couture elements and architectural and art influences.

ABOUT LAURA KIRAR
With both feet firmly in the 21st century, Laura Kirar looks at contemporary art and culture to ensure that her designs, while timeless, are also completely contemporary. Her designs look both forward and back, taking inspiration from past eras of incredible craftsmanship and luxury where attention to detail and the thoughtful combination of materials combined to create furniture and environments of extraordinary elegance. Key historical influences include traditional Japanese art and crafts and the early 20th century Weiner Werkstatte in Vienna.

Note to Editors: Accredited journalists and editors can access this story, high-resolution photos and other press materials by registering at www.media.mbusa.com.

News Media Contact:	Gregory O'Shea	201-573-2238
	Kim Alves	212-995-2095
	Toll-free	888-MBNEWS-1

EVIAN® NATURAL SPRING WATER BRINGS LUXURY TO BRYANT PARK DURING MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK

The World's Most Luxurious Natural Spring Water Partners with Designers In an Effort to Promote Style and Eco-Consciousness

ATLANTA, GA - September 5, 2008: Styles come and styles go, but concern about the environment is here to stay. At the upcoming Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Evian® Natural Spring Water will unveil a luxury presence as the official bottled water of the Bryant Park tents from September 5-12. Evian has a longstanding history of supporting the fashion community and now, in turn, the fashion community is championing the luxury natural spring water's efforts to become more environmentally friendly and globally beneficent, a top priority of Evian's for decades.

To create a lasting visual impression, Evian has partnered with Viridis Luxe to create original wears for the "Evian Girls." The Evian Girls, a favored presence in the Bryant Park tents this past February, will be draped in chic two-toned dresses of "Evian pink" and hot pink, with a plunging neckline held in place by braided straps that flow down the back. These gowns will be crafted from a combination of braided hemp satin and bamboo cotton. The Evian Pink dresses set the tone for the models' overall look, as they inspired the hot pink heel of shoes they will be donning, as well as the deep rose colored lipstick used on the women's lips.

"The Viridis Luxe mission is to design luxurious clothing for those who are making the choice to tread lightly on our planet while continuing to enjoy fashion, luxury and style," said Hala Behmet, creative director of Viridis Luxe. "'The Evian Pink' dresses are the physical manifestation of my goal as a designer: elegant, chic and sustainable."

Because no great outfit is complete without a fabulous pair of shoes, designer Gracienne Myers created custom-designed high heels with exclusively designed fabric emblazoned with Evian labels for the Evian Girls. The folds of the elegant Viridis Luxe gowns cascade down to give way to these unique pink, blue and white pumps, giving the outfit an authentic Evian feel. The shoes will be delivered to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion tents in luxury, transparent shoe storage boxes from a collection Myers recently produced, called "Clearly Glam," made from 100% recycled PET. Evian plastic bottles are also made of PET, with the brand's most popular bottle sizes, the 1 L and 750 mL, containing 25% post-consumer recycled PET.

"You can never do too much to protect nature and its resources," said Myers. "We are excited to work with Evian on this initiative, a global leader in preserving the most precious resource there is, water."

These outfits, along with several other items, will be auctioned through ShopEvian.com. The proceeds of this auction will go to the Evian Water Protection Institute, an organization that maintains and restores wetlands around the world. Protecting wetlands, which are natural catchment areas and natural freshwater resources, will naturally help replenish underground aquifers, filter water, reduce CO2 and help naturally protect against climatic events such as floods and erosion. Wetlands often also provide a source of economic development to local communities.

Also enlisted to prep the Evian Girls is make-up artist Matthew Nigara, who had his start as the international color director for NARS Cosmetics and has appeared on "What Not To Wear," and hair stylist Shalom Sharonhas, who has worked on photo shoots for Vogue, Paper, Elle and Glamour, as well as campaigns for Michael Kors and Revlon. These two noted stylists will provide the Evian Girls with the finishing touches for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

"At Evian, we believe that sustainability and luxury can go hand-in-hand and we are proud to further showcase our commitment to eco-friendly initiatives during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week," said Jeff Caswell, Vice President of Marketing for Evian North America. "We hope to further inspire the fashion community to strive towards environmentally friendly activities that unite the two worlds together."

Evian will also continue to showcase the trend-setting Limited Edition Bottle by Christian Lacroix, the first in its new annual tradition of high fashion designer-developed bottles. The Christian Lacroix Bottle made its debut to the New York fashion scene in February and will take its final bow this season, making way for the new high-fashion creation that will be launched later this year. The Christian Lacroix Bottle can currently be found in high-end restaurants, hotels and nightclubs nationwide, as well as for purchase on www.ShopEvian.com.

About Evian Natural Spring Water
Bottled since 1826, Evian Natural Spring Water is the world's #1 brand of premium natural spring water. Every drop of Evian takes over 15 years to filter through mineral rich glacial sands in the pristine French Alps. Bottled at the source in a state of the art facility, Evian comes from the Cachat Spring located on the Southern shore of Lake Geneva, in the town of Evian-les-Bains. Evian provides a uniquely balanced mineral composition and subtle flavor as a product of its unhurried journey.

Today, Evian is a brand of the Danone Group, a leader in the food industry and number one by volume in the world for packaged water and dairy products. Evian first entered the U.S. market in 1978, where it was served in the finest bars and restaurants in distinctive glass bottles, and is now accepted as the most premium natural spring water for those, including many of Hollywood's elite, who like to treat themselves to the very best.

About Viridis Luxe
Viridis Luxe, by designer Hala Bahmet, first made waves in the fashion world in 2007, when they introduced their signature custom-made Hemp~Cashmere and Hemp~Silk blends, creating luxurious, sensuous, and sustainable fabrics and designs. Environmentally-conscious fashion lovers, magazine editors, A-list celebrities and top boutiques applauded their efforts, catapulting Viridis Luxe into the international fashion spotlight and earning fashionista "must-have" status.

The Viridis Luxe aesthetic is the embodiment of effortless chic - a juxtaposition of historically significant fibers with a modern sensibility. Recent Viridis Luxe collections combine nostalgic Deco elements with edgy, fashion-forward details. The brand features sweaters, tops, and dresses in opulent colors and exotic natural fiber blends including Bamboo~Cashmere, Bamboo~Organic Cotton, Hemp~Cashmere and Hemp~Silk. Viridis Luxe is committed to making beautiful, luxurious clothing using ethical, eco-friendly methods and materials.

About Gracienne Myers for Evian
As a rising fashion pioneer, Gracienne Myers infuses traditional style with edgy detail and exotic trim, typically inspired by the textures and colors of nature while delving into the realm of sustainability. For this project, Myers collaborated with manufacturer Satryani in Novo Hamburgo, in Rio Grande do Sul, State of Brazil. Myers chose this factory for its unique eco-aware approach to shoe manufacturing. Satryani is known for reusing and recycling leathers and fabrics when possible. Its tannery has its own water treatment facility, so all water used in manufacturing is recycled back into the process, never polluting the natural springs or ground nearby; and melts down and reuses leftover metal scraps, creating about 50 kilograms worth of new hardware every year. In addition, the factory only creates pieces by hand. By using manpower as opposed to heavy machinery, numerous pollutants are avoided, which also means less oil, fewer emissions and greater energy conservation.


Press Contact: Katie Murphy
5W Public Relations
Tel: (212) 999-5585
kamurphy@5wpr.com

DESIGN IS AIR!

Seoul Design Olympiad is set to kick off

Event runs from October 10th through 30th in Seoul, South Korea

Seoul – The electricity charged up from the 1988 Seoul Olympics still buzzes through the air here. And in the spirit of all Olympics-past, the Seoul Design Olympiad will break down cultural barriers and erase lines on the map to bring the world together under one big theme: great design. Linking the past with the present, and the present with the future, the Seoul Design Olympiad is set to celebrate culture with a flourish you will not want to miss.

Olympiad Relived at Jamsil Sports Complex & Seoul's Beautiful Riverside Parks

Seoul was chosen last year by the International Council of Society of Industrial Design to be the World Design Capital (WDC) 2010. In advance of that, Seoul is launching a large-scale design event called the Seoul Design Olympiad (SDO). Opening on the 10th of October, the aim is to make great design more accessible while at the same time improving the quality of life.

The SDO will last 21 days and will be held at venues that encapsulate the honor and glory of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. They include the Jamsil Sports Complex, the riverside parks of the Hangang River, and many of Seoul's chic and trendy downtown area. Attendance is expected to top 2 million people, and will include top international designers, academics and entrepreneurs, students and artists, media, as well as tourists and various organizations.

Design for People

The theme of the SDO, "Design is AIR," is designed to open the world of design to people as a demonstration of the positive impact great design can have on our lives. Unlike many international design events, the SDO is not meant as an exclusive event for design professionals, instead, seeking out space as a cultural event that can be enjoyed by everyone. It is an event where people can do more than view design. Participants can interact with the design up close in concert with several other festivals that are taking place in the city at the same time, like the Hi Seoul Autumn Festival, the Seoul International Media Art Biennale, the Seoul International Fireworks Festival and the Seoul Drum Festival.

Zaha Hadid, Lovegrove and More Prominent Figures to Join the Event

The main event will be a design conference with international leaders of the design industry such industrial designer Ross Lovegrove and British architect Zaha Hadid, who is currently working to design the Dongdaemun Design Plaza to be built in Seoul. The conference will be held from October 9th through 12th.

The center of the Olympiad is the international design contest, which anyone can participate in, from students majoring in any and all design departments to professionals working across a variety of disciplines. Submissions for this year's contest were already completed and its awards ceremony will be held on October 30th at the closing ceremony of the SDO.

There will also be a design festival that places emphasis on bringing residents together with design, where they can look, feel and actually experience the power of great design. The goal as always is to enhance awareness of what great design is and what it can offer to a city, and also to bring culture and enjoyment to a broad spectrum of the population. There will be lots to see and do, such as the celebration night, mini fashion shows, design fireworks festival, design kite contests and more.

The SDO has put this type of comprehensive festival together in order to use the WDC 2010 as an opportunity for Seoul to become recognized as a city that is evolving into one that lives and breathes great art and design, and hopefully to become the heart of international design and culture. The City of Seoul hopes that this event will emphasize the new importance of design and help develop the economy through truly inspirational design.

Event Outline
Dates: October 10 to 30, 2008
Venues: Jamsil Sports Complex, downtown Seoul & riverside parks
Expected Number of Visitors: Total of 2 million people

• Design Related: 150,000 people
  
• Residents/Students: 1.720,000 people
• Domestic/International Visitors: 130,000 people

HAVAIANAS BRINGS THE BEAT OF BRAZIL
TO THE STREETS OF MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK

Havaianas to Make a Splash at the Tents during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week with "Make Your Own Havaianas" Booth and Rosa Cha Partnership

New York, NY, August 26, 2008 – Havaianas, "the best rubber sandals in the world," is adding a touch of Brazilian flair to New York City for the second year in a row with their participation in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Havaianas will be on site at the Lobby Tent in Bryant Park with their "Make Your Own Havaianas" booth. In addition, Havaianas will sponsor the Rosa Cha fashion show and after party to celebrate the launch of a limited edition sandal collaboration with the brand.

Elaine Sugimura, President of Alpargatas USA, "In building our global lifestyle brand, New York and its focus on fashion leadership is the place to be. We are excited to debut new product and design innovations for industry leaders and influencers."

"Make Your Own Havaianas" Booth in the Lobby Tent
In between shows and presentations, event attendees are invited to stop by the Havaianas booth in the Lobby Tent to customize a pair of special Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Havaianas. The limited edition sandals, inspired by the New York City skyline, can be personalized by matching a variety of foot beds to vibrant straps in either silver, black, navy, white, gold and metallic's. As in years past, the Havaianas booth is a main attraction at the Tents and a "must see" during Fashion Week and this year is no exception; the booth will be covered in crisp white décor, and sleek furniture. The Havaianas booth will be open September 5th-12th at various times throughout the week.

Rosa Cha Partnership
Havaianas and Rosa Cha form the perfect partnership this season through a collaboration that is inspired by their shared Brazilian heritage and all things Brazilian – bright colors and innovative patterns. For the first time, Havaianas and Rosa Cha are teaming up for an initiative that caters to both the female body and feet – a special Rosa Cha bikini with Havaianas sandals to match. The bikini and sandals will be a part of the Rosa Cha Spring 2009 runway show at Bryant Park, as well as at the after party at 1OAK, on September 6th. The Havaianas/Rosa Cha limited editions will be available on www.havaianasus.com and Rosa Cha store in New York City.

"We are very excited about this partnership," says Glen Lagerstrom, EVP of Alpargatas USA, "It highlights the best of both brands- stylish, colorful products that let you look and feel great!"

About Havaianas
Havaianas are truly are the best rubber sandals in the world. Designed and manufactured in Brazil by Alpargatas S.A. The ultra-high quality of Havaianas is due to a top-secret rubber recipe that makes the sandals feel soft as marshmallows yet highly durable. Havaianas customers know that there is no substitute for the comfort and quality that only an authentic pair of Havaianas can provide. For more information, visit www.havaianasus.com.

Press Contact:
Alison Brod Public Relations
Filippa Svensson / Lauren Nagler
Office: 212.230.1800
Mobile: 646.925.3919
Mobile: 917.482.1337
Filippa@alisonbrodpr.com
Lauren@alisonbrodpr.com






EVA LONGORIA PARKER AND Ms. GREEN DEBUT M&M'S® PREMIUMS CHOCOLATE CANDIES ON THE ULTIMATE STYLE STAGE: MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK

Shimmering Chocolate Gems Make A Colorful and Sophisticated Entrance into the Premium Chocolate Category

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (September 7, 2008) --- Mars Snackfood US celebrated today the national launch of M&M'S® Premiums – a new collection of shimmering chocolate gems available in five sophisticated varieties: Mint Chocolate, Raspberry Almond, Triple Chocolate, Chocolate Almond and Mocha. The smooth, rich, melt-in-your-mouth chocolates made their formal debut as a premium chocolate with a unique fashion event during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, hosted by megastars, Eva Longoria Parker and the sassy Ms. Green. M&M'S® Premiums are a colorful new way to experience premium chocolate – as a treat for yourself or to be shared with friends.

Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan served as the ultimate style platform for Longoria Parker and Ms. Green to introduce new M&M'S® Premiums to the fashionable crowd with a colorful launch event. Models showcased the upscale M&M'S® while dressed in vibrantly colored gowns inspired by the rich jewel-tones of the new product. The gowns were created by red carpet designer Pamella Roland, known for her elegantly feminine and luxurious designs.

Roland specifically selected Longoria Parker's premium gown for the event, which will be auctioned via "Clothes Off Our Back" to benefit children's charities.

"We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of M&M'S® Premiums with such a chic, revered style backdrop as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week" said Michele Kessler, vice president, marketing, Mars Snackfood US. "The opportunity for the brand to partner with a star the caliber of Eva Longoria Parker emphasizes the fashionable, sophistication of the product. We are certain our new 'gems' will add a splash of style and fun to the premium chocolate category."

Glamorously Delicious
M&M'S® Premiums are rich with layers of flavor, and these "dressed up" chocolate candies taste as good as they look. "M&M'S® Premiums offer a little bit of luxury with each tantalizing bite" said Longoria Parker. "The flavors and chic colors make them a delicious treat that I can't wait to share with my girlfriends." The five varieties of M&M'S® Premiums are seriously good without being serious:

• Raspberry Almond is blissful, raspberry-flavored white chocolate and almond wrapped in dark chocolate
• Tantalizing Mocha tempts with delightful mocha-flavored milk chocolate
• Mint Chocolate means sinfully good white chocolate mint sheathed in dark chocolate
• Chocolate Almond reveals a delightfully delicious, freshly roasted whole almond
• Triple Chocolate has truly tempting layers of milk chocolate, white chocolate and dark chocolate