Presenting the latest designs by some of the most creative couture bridal fashion and accessories designers from around the world, Bridal Fashion Week^® is scheduled to be held April 22-25, 2006 and again in October 2006 in New York City. The event will also include an array of vendor and sponsor exhibits.

 

Bridal Fashion Week^® is being coordinated by fashion producer Andres Aquino, the creator of Couture Fashion Week^®, another series of upscale fashion shows presented in New York and Palm Beach.  Among the aspects unique to both of these events are the participation of both national and international designers, the quality of the designers' collections which are aimed at high-end consumers and the luxury boutique market, and the fact that clients can meet directly with designers and their representatives to discuss customized projects to meet the most demanding client's needs and turn their dream gown into a reality be it a once-in-a-lifetime bridal gown or a one-of-a-kind evening gown.
 

"A wedding gown is arguably the most important single dress in a woman's life," says producer Andres Aquino. "It is a dream come true for many women to be able to meet and buy from a world-class fashion designer who can do for her what he or she does for a princess or a movie star walking the red carpet. This is the caliber of the designers we are bringing to Bridal Fashion Week -- a true couture event. We strive to make each of our fashion events unique -- in the past we have put an 87-year old former fashion model on the runway fulfilling her lifelong dream; we have had a 4-year old girl open a couture fashion show; we have used fashion shows as a vehicle to raise money to feed a child in Africa; we have had celebrity drop-ins -- always something different!”   Gown by Jamil Khansa.

Gown by Lilia Berzon

Major bridal magazines have signed up to participate in Bridal Fashion Week® and the event has attracted the interest of top designers from a variety of countries including the USA, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Russia, Israel, and Lebanon. The event is been promoted worldwide. All participating designers will be considered by a panel of industry experts and VIPs for the International Couture Bridal Designer of the Year Award.   A number of exclusive sponsorship options are available to companies engaged in luxury, travel and related bridal products and services, ranging from banking to jewelry. Information is available upon request for both exclusive and non-exclusive placements including space in the event program, gift bags, displays, banners, co-promotions,  broadcasting rights, literature distribution, hospitality and entertainment sponsorships rights, party sponsors, logos, event tickets, photo ops, on-site sales rights, charity fund raisers, and many other creative marketing ideas.

 "Couture is fashion at its best," notes producer Andres Aquino. "It represents a fusion of fine art, skilled hand-tailoring and creativity. Without the limitation of mass production concerns, the fashion designer can make a true artistic statement."  Couture Fashion served as the inspiration to create Bridal Fashion Week^® focusing on couture bridal and evening wear. Previously during Couture Fashion Week, JAMIL KHANSA of Lebanon was named “International Fashion Designer of Year” for 2005. Mr. Khansa recently sold a couture gown for $1 million to a Middle Eastern princess. The previous award recipient was famed Russian designer HELEN YARMAK, who in 2003 showed $20 million worth of furs and jewelry at the season's most lavish fashion show in New York City to an audience of top socialites and VIPs.

 

Visionary fashion show producer Andres Aquino stages exciting runway fashion shows year round featuring both designers of couture and finely tailored garments and distinctive accessories. In addition to Couture Fashion Week^®, and Bridal Fashion Week^®, regular events include the Champagne Fashion Brunch^® and Martini Fashion Dinner^® series. Luxury fashion shows have been presented periodically at such exclusive venues as Manhattan Motor Cars and Bruno’s (New York City), the Maybach salon at Mercedes-Benz (Greenwich, Connecticut), Art+ Gallery (Coral Gables, Florida), Deco (Palm Beach) and Bistro Zenith (Boca Raton). Events are co-sponsored by Fashion Syndicate Press, founded in 1997, and serving the press with photos and feature articles covering fashion shows in all major fashion capitals. Its web site, www.fashionshowroom.com is one of the most visited fashion portals on the Internet.

 

A limited number of tickets to many fashion events are available to the general public and may be purchased online at www.usafashionshows.com/showschedules.htm
Fashion Calendar at: http://www.usafashionshows.com/fashioncalendar.htm
 

Press and wholesale fashion buyers: please e-mail or fax with name and company details (including tax resale number) for accreditation (subject to verification).  info@usafashionshows.com or Fax 212.202.4604.
Many sponsorship opportunities are available. Please inquire.

Martini Fashion Dinner Series Combines Glamorous Fashion and Gourmet Delights

Savvy travelers and New York City natives alike are spreading the word about one of the hottest tickets in town: the Martini Fashion Dinner series. Guests sit back and enjoy the chic sophistication of the New York City fashion scene while sipping an iced martini and savoring a delicious gourmet dinner. The fashions on parade at this trendy event are the creations of talented designers from around the world, primarily couture, accompanied by exciting jewelry and accessories. Always an evening to remember, tickets to this unique fashion series make the perfect gift or special treat.

“This is a very special fashion runway experience,” says producer Andres Aquino. “The discerning audience includes upscale Wall Street tycoons and well-heeled travelers as well as celebrities and VIPs. Our audience loves fashion and is eager to see the latest trends from innovative designers – well above the ready-to-wear designs seen on most fashion runways.”

The events showcase unique designs from designers specially selected from around the world shown on beautiful runway models along with top notch makeup and hair styling. Another unique aspect of the event is that the audience can purchase designs right off the runway, or place orders for any items shown. The venue is a favorite of the Broadway theater crowd: La Prima Donna, 163 West 47^th Street (between 6^th and 7^th Avenues), just a stone’s throw from Times Square. Elegant and traditional Tuscan cuisine is updated with Venetian style and modern urban panache. Guests enjoy a truly original and exceptional culinary experience in an ambience of a Venetian Carnivale complete with wall murals and Renaissance art

Two kinds of seating are available at the Martini Fashion Dinners: general seating and VIP seating which includes one-hour open bar, backstage tour, front row seating and photo ops. Doors open at 6:30. Martini Fashion Dinner promises that Mondays will never be the same in New York.  

Tickets are available through the company website  - www.usafashionshows.com - as well as through various ticket outlets worldwide.

From exotic India to sophisticated New York City, rising fashion star Natasha Sehgal will present her latest collection of innovative womens evening and ready-to-wear designs on Sunday, May 14, 2006 at the Champagne Fashion Brunch to be held at La Prima Donna restaurant, 163 West 47th Street, in New York City’s famous theater district. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and the show starts at 1:00 p.m.

After studying fashion design at both NIFT in New Dehli and Parsons School of Design in New York, Natasha Sehgal worked with such top name labels as Anna Sui, DKNY and New York & Company. Upon her return to India in 1994, Natasha launched her own label, Nat Non, which produces three lines of seasonal and holiday collections offering high-quality finely crafted designs to the ready-to-wear market. All aspects of the design process are controlled in-house, from concept to technical production and quality control, with an emphasis on exquisite craftsmanship.

 

The "Epoch Jeweled" collection which will be shown on the runway in New York, is inspired by the dramatic jewels of the theater. With a color palette ranging from rich tones of midnight blue, royal purple, scarlet, topaz and gold, designs include fishnet sweaters, slim fitted flared trousers, fishtail skirts, cropped corsets, and dresses with Bettina sleeves or Lolita ruffles on the back. The plush fabrics include velvets and reflective brocades as well as lace and chiffon. Stone embellishments, pearl and antique thread embroidery as well as gold tassels all serve to enhance the jeweled vintage motif.
 

In addition to New York City, Natasha Sehgal will soon be presenting her beautiful creations in Bali. Past shows have been done before enthusiastic crowds in India. Her designs are currently sold throughout India, and Nat Non is in the process of setting up its own retail stores in New Dehli and Mumbai, as well as in New York in the near future.

 

"Natasha is one of those talented artists who bridges the design traditions of the East and the West," says producer Andres Aquino. "We are delighted to introduce Natasha's latest collection to the New York market, especially in these times of heightened appreciation and interest for Indian craftsmanship."

 

Tickets to the Champagne Fashion Brunch shows and other fashion events are available through the company website  - www.usafashionshows.com - as well as through various ticket outlets worldwide.

 

Portions of Champagne Fashion Brunch proceeds support children’s charity providing food, clean water, medical care and other assistance in poverty stricken countries around the world.

Photos courtesy of the designer

New York, NY - Cotton Incorporated will be a sponsor of the exhibition “White on White (and a little gray),” on view at the American Folk Art Museum in New York from March 28 - September 17, 2006. The exhibition presents fashionable whitework cotton quilts and bedcovers gorgeously stuffed, embroidered and tufted that represent the classical ideal in American decorative arts.

“Cotton Incorporated remains committed to American designers and students of textiles, fashion and home design who work creatively in cotton,” states Berrye Worsham, President and CEO, Cotton Incorporated “Our sponsorship of the “White on White” exhibition is an extension of our commitment to creativity in cotton, and an opportunity to collaborate with The American Folk Art Museum to honor American artforms.

In conjunction with the “White on White” exhibition, Cotton Incorporated will present a special event, “Beyond White: The Psychology of Color”, a conversation between experts in psychology, fashion and interior design who specialize in the creative use of color. The panel discussion will be followed by questions from the audience. This event will be co-sponsored by the William Alanson White Institute, an internationally renowned, nonprofit psychoanalytic and psychotherapy center that provides clinical services, advanced professional training, and outreach programs to New York City and surrounding communities.

Cotton Incorporated was founded in 1970 as a not-for-profit organization with World Headquarters and Research Center located in Cary, N.C. There are also company offices in Los Angeles, New York, Mexico City, Osaka, Singapore and Shanghai.

Cotton Incorporated, funded by U.S. growers of upland cotton and importers of cotton and cotton textile products, is the research and marketing company representing upland cotton. The Program is designed and operated to improve the demand for and profitability of cotton.

For images from the exhibition click here.

New York, NY - Cotton Incorporated, the research and marketing company for U.S. cotton growers, will present its innovative Engineered Fiber Selection® (EFS®) System software at the first EFS Conference to be held in China, from April 10 through April 12, 2006 at the Regent Hotel in Shanghai.

Introduced to U.S. manufacturers in 1982, the EFS system is a group of programs that, through the use of High Volume Instrument (HVI) data, provides authoritative cotton management and analysis information, as well as electronic communication between and among mills, ginners, producers and merchants.

J. Berrye Worsham, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cotton Incorporated, states, “Since its introduction, the EFS System has evolved from an innovative concept to an industry standard in the United States and Europe.” Nearly 50% of China’s cotton imports over the past decade have been of U.S. origin. “China is clearly a good customer of U.S cotton, and sharing our EFS technology with them benefits the entire supply chain,” explains Worsham.

The three-day conference will provide attendees from the four major segments of the cotton industry---growers, ginners, merchants and mills---with an in-depth look at state-of-the-art fiber management.

Included in the conference will be the MILLNet™ software, which allows cotton buyers and manufacturers to effectively utilize the HVI data on each bale of U.S. cotton. “MILLNet has proved to be a valuable tool in managing cotton acquisition, warehousing and mix selection,” says Charles Chewning, Cotton Incorporated Vice President, Fiber Management Research. “In addition, the software enhances a manufacturer’s cotton-related profits by selecting cotton inventory that is most appropriate for each customer’s end product.”

Over the past 25 years, the EFS System programs have grown in popularity and are currently used by nearly all cotton spinning mills in the U.S. and a total of 29 mills in Europe, Canada, Mexico and Asia. In October of last year, a Chinese textile mill became the first in that country to adopt the MILLNet software.

Cotton Incorporated, funded by U.S. growers of upland cotton and importers of cotton and cotton textile products, is the research and marketing company representing upland cotton. The Program is designed and operated to improve the demand for and profitability of cotton.

It’s a simple fact—  women’s feet are different from men’s.  Foot Levelers’ 5th Avenue Collection of Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers are designed for a women’s body, according to her needs, and then custom-made for her feet and her choice of shoes.

With high-quality support, the 5th Avenue Collection was designed by women specifically for women.  Fashion-conscious women can wear their favorite shoes and maintain a healthy posture with comfort, protection and luxury from Foot Levelers’ Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers. 

“Every woman deserves the comfort, style, and support of walking in a 5th Avenue, said Kent S. Greenawalt, President and CEO of Foot Levelers.  “The 5th Avenue Collection provides all-day wear and fast break-in, leaving women with energy at the end of the day.” 

The original 5th Avenue is available in two styles: the Full Length is designed for laced shoes and offers extra padding in the ball of the foot to accommodate the woman’s foot as she wears them throughout the day.  The 7/8 Length is engineered specifically for women’s heels up to one inch.  The 7/8 Length supports the heel and provides extra cushion for the ball of the foot for total support throughout the day. 

The 5th Avenue Lady Luxury Stabilizers are soft and supportive, providing enhanced comfort and more shock absorption with a Lambson Leather™ top.   Strong and durable, yet thin enough to fit inside fashion shoes - Lambson Leather™ is neutral in color to provide low-visibility support.  The quality added by this premium leather provides a 2-Year Freedom Guarantee for 24 months of problem-free wear.

The 5th Avenue Luxury 7/8 Length Stabilizer has a special, extended forefoot area, Propacel™ to absorb shock to the forefoot and energize during standing and walking, and a Zorbacel® heel pad to provide protection from shock on heel strike. It is designed for use in women’s flats and pumps with heel height up to one inch.  The 5th Avenue Lady Luxury is a Dress Stabilizer for use in women’s pumps with heels from one to two inches high.  An enhancement to the popular Lady Levelers™, this Stabilizer gives spinal-pelvic stability in fashion footwear with higher heels.

The 5th Avenue Illusion is for clogs and mule shoes with open backs.  This thin –heeled orthotic blends into her shoes so well, like an illusion. 

The support and stabilization that she will receive will only be surpassed by her comfort with Foot Levelers 5th Avenue Collection.

About Foot Levelers
Foot Levelers, Inc. is the world's leading provider of custom-made Spinal Pelvic Stabilizers and other therapeutic products that have served the healthcare profession for over 50 years.  Throughout its history, the company has had a positive influence on patient wellness and education, and a strong commitment to community.  Foot Levelers products have helped over a million people enjoy fuller and happier lives at work, home, or at play.

NEW YORK, April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Elizabeth Arden Inc.
(Nasdaq: RDEN), a global prestige beauty products company, has signed an
exclusive global licensing agreement with Mariah Carey, the internationally
acclaimed music star, to develop and market her own line of fragrance
products.
    The licensing agreement includes the development, marketing, and
distribution of fragrances with Mariah Carey's exclusive endorsement.  The
first fragrance will debut in prestige department stores in the spring of
2007.  Mariah will be personally involved in all aspects of product
development, packaging and marketing.
    "We are thrilled to begin this partnership with Mariah Carey," said E.
Scott Beattie, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Elizabeth Arden. "She
is, unquestionably, a star of incredible magnitude. All over the world, people
aspire to the values she represents.  We look forward to launching an
inspiring new global fragrance brand with Mariah that will be a timeless
classic".
    With her unique talent and signature vocal abilities, Mariah Carey is one
of the most popular and widely acclaimed talents in music. As a singer,
writer, producer and artist, Carey has been recognized with the most
prestigious accolades in the industry including five Grammy Awards, eight
American Music Awards, Billboard's "Artist of the Decade" Award and the World
Music Award for "World's Best Selling Female Artist of the Millennium" to name
a few. As the best-selling female performer of all time, Mariah Carey has
continuously raised the bar with over 160 million records sold.  She has had
17 #1's, tying her with Elvis Presley, and sets the standard of excellence
within the music industry. As an artist revered worldwide, her boundless
talent and success is unmatched across the globe.
    Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

    About Elizabeth Arden:
    Elizabeth Arden is a global prestige fragrance and beauty products
company. The Company's portfolio of leading brands includes the Elizabeth
Arden fragrance brands Red Door, Red Door Revealed, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea,
Elizabeth Arden 5th avenue, Elizabeth Arden Provocative Woman; the Elizabeth
Taylor fragrance brands White Diamonds Elizabeth Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor's
Passion, the fragrance brands of Britney Spears, curious BRITNEY SPEARS(TM),
IN CONTROL curious BRITNEY SPEARS(TM), and fantasy BRITNEY SPEARS(TM); the
Daytona 500(R) and GANT adventure men's fragrances, White Shoulders; Geoffrey
Beene's Grey Flannel; Halston(R) and  Halston Z-14(TM),  PS(R) Fine Cologne
for Men, Design(TM); Wings; the Elizabeth Arden skincare lines, including
Ceramides, Prevage(TM) Anti-Aging Treatment and Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour
Cream; and the Elizabeth Arden color cosmetics line.

SOURCE Elizabeth Arden Inc.

 

PHILADELPHIA, April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mothers Work, Inc.
(Nasdaq: MWRK), the world's leading maternity apparel retailer, today
announced net sales for March 2006 and increased its earnings guidance for
the second quarter of fiscal 2006 ended March 31, 2006. Net sales for the
month of March 2006 increased 7.0% to $56.8 million from $53.0 million
reported for the month of March 2005. The increase in net sales for March
2006 was primarily driven by sales from the expansion of the Company's
proprietary Two Hearts(TM) Maternity collection to an additional 497
Sears(R) locations during late March 2005, as well as increases in
comparable store sales, internet sales, and sales from the Company's Oh
Baby! by Motherhood(TM) licensed arrangement with Kohl's(R), which launched
during the second quarter of fiscal 2005. Comparable store sales for March
2006 increased 2.2% (based on 1,006 locations) versus a comparable store
sales decrease of 3.0% (based on 909 locations) for March 2005. This 2.2%
comparable store sales increase for the month of March 2006 would have been
approximately 1.0 percentage points higher if there had not been a shift in
the timing of Easter to April this year compared to March last year.
    During March 2006, the Company opened two stores, including its
eleventh Destination Maternity(TM) superstore, and closed four stores. The
Company ended the month with 831 stores and 1,559 total retail locations,
compared to 869 stores and 1,597 total retail locations at the end of March
2005.
    Net sales increased 3.3% to $144.6 million for the second quarter of
fiscal 2006 ended March 31, 2006, from $140.0 million for the same period
of the preceding year. Comparable store sales increased 1.4% during the
second quarter of fiscal 2006 (based on 998 locations) versus a comparable
store sales decrease of 3.0% during the second quarter of fiscal 2005
(based on 898 locations). For the quarter ended March 31, 2006, the Company
opened five stores, including three multi-brand stores, and closed 25
stores, with 11 of these store closings related to multi-brand store
openings.
    Rebecca Matthias, President and Chief Operating Officer of Mothers
Work, noted, "We are very pleased to report that our sales for the month of
March exceeded our expectations, as we delivered a comparable store sales
increase of 2.2% for the month despite the adverse effect of the Easter
timing shift, which we estimate hurt our March comparable store sales
results by approximately 1 percentage point. Our preliminary sales for the
second quarter of $144.6 million slightly exceeded the top end of our
guidance range of $142.5 million to $144.5 million, and our comparable
store sales increase of 1.4% for the second quarter was right in line with
our comparable store sales guidance of an increase of 0.5% to 2.0% for the
quarter. We estimate that our comparable store sales increase of 1.4% for
the second quarter was unfavorably affected by approximately 0.7 percentage
points, due to January 2006 having one less Saturday than January 2005 and
the Easter timing shift to April in 2006 from March in 2005. In addition,
we continue to experience strong improvement in gross margin versus last
year, driven by decreased price promotional activity compared to last year
as well as a continued reduction in our product costs. As we have stated in
our recent press releases, we believe the oversupply conditions that
plagued the maternity apparel business during our fiscal 2004 and fiscal
2005 have eased somewhat, and we believe that our strong sales trend
beginning this past September reflects this.
    "We are very pleased to report that, with our strong sales and gross
margin performance and our continued tight expense controls, we expect our
second quarter earnings to exceed the top end of our previous earnings
guidance range. We expect our second quarter earnings per share after stock
option expense to be at least $0.06 per share, significantly higher than
our previous earnings guidance range of between a loss of $(0.05) per share
to earnings of $0.01 per share after stock option expense. We expect our
second quarter earnings per share before stock option expense to be at
least $0.09 per share, significantly higher than our previous earnings
guidance range of between a loss of $(0.02) per share to earnings of $0.04
per share before stock option expense.
    "Looking forward, we feel very good about our product lines and our
inventory position, and feel very confident about our business. We continue
to be very optimistic about delivering significantly improved financial
results and continuing our strategic transition in fiscal 2006, as we
expect to see a continuation of our improved sales and gross margin trend
and expect to realize increased earnings contribution from our new
strategic initiatives, including increased contribution from our marketing
partnerships, a full year contribution from our Sears and Kohl's
initiatives, and the continued rollout of our multi-brand stores. We
continue to be very excited that our new strategic business initiatives
will promote our long-term growth in sales and profitability, while
addressing the continued competitive pressures in the maternity apparel
business.
    "We will report results for our second quarter and hold an investor
conference call on April 25, 2006, at which time we will provide additional
information related to our results for the second quarter, our future
financial guidance and our strategic business initiatives."
    Mothers Work is the world's largest designer and retailer of maternity
apparel, using its custom TrendTrack(TM) merchandise analysis and planning
system as well as its quick response replenishment process to "give the
customer what she wants, when she wants it." As of March 31, 2006, Mothers
Work operates 1,559 maternity locations, including 831 stores,
predominantly under the tradenames Motherhood Maternity(R), A Pea in the
Pod(R), Mimi Maternity(R), and Destination Maternity(TM), and sells on the
web through its http://www.DestinationMaternity.com and brand-specific
websites.
    The Company cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term
is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995)
contained in this press release or made from time to time by management of
the Company, including those regarding expected results of operations and
new business initiatives, involve risks and uncertainties, and are subject
to change based on various important factors. The following factors, among
others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect the
Company's financial performance and actual results and could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such
forward-looking statements: our ability to successfully manage our new
initiatives, future sales trends in our existing store base, changes in
consumer spending patterns, raw material price increases, consumer
preferences and overall economic conditions, the impact of competition and
pricing, availability of suitable store locations, continued availability
of capital and financing, ability to hire and develop senior management and
sales associates, ability to develop and source merchandise, ability to
receive production from foreign sources on a timely basis, potential stock
repurchases, potential debt repurchases, war or acts of terrorism, and
other factors set forth in the Company's periodic filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or in materials incorporated therein by
reference.
    Mothers Work press releases available through Company News On-Call at
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/581877.html

SOURCE Mothers Work, Inc.
Web Site: http://www.motherswork.com
http://www.DestinationMaternity.com
Company News On Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/581877.html
/

NEW YORK, April 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Giorgio Armani Parfums, a division of
L'Oreal USA, won four FiFi's at the 34th Annual American FiFi Awards.  The
FiFi Awards are designed to honor the extraordinary creativity of the
international fragrance industry in America.
    Armani Prive, Giorgio Armani's private collection of fragrances, won Best
Packaging of the Year, Men's Prestige; Best Packaging of the Year, Women's
Prestige; and Fragrance of the Year, Men's Nouveau Niche (sold in Specialty
Stores under 250 doors).  Armani Code, the new men's fragrance from Giorgio
Armani, received Fragrance of the Year, Men's Luxe (sold in Specialty and/or
Department stores over 250 doors).
    As the latest addition to the Giorgio Armani Parfums stable, both the
Armani Prive fragrances and Armani Code continue to support Mr. Armani's sense
of style.  Like his fashion designs, these fragrances are the expression of
sophisticated elegance and were created with simple, rich materials of the
highest quality.  To quote Mr. Armani, "I approach every fragrance from a
personal standpoint, but these days fragrances are the intimate
democratization of fashion.  They exist to allow everyone to own a piece of a
designer's creativity."
    Armani Prive and Armani Code follow a number of Giorgio Armani fragrances
that have been honored with a Fragrance Foundation Award.  Prior FiFi honors
have gone to Gio, Armani for Men, Acqua di Gio, Acqua di Gio for Men and
Emporio Armani.
    Jack Wiswall, President, Designer Fragrances and Serge Jureidini, General
Manager, Giorgio Armani Parfums, accepted the awards on behalf of the team.
Acknowledging both US and international efforts, they also thanked Giorgio
Armani and his worldwide organization.

    Giorgio Armani Parfums and Cosmetics are divisions of L'Oreal USA.
L'Oreal USA, headquartered in New York City, with 2005 sales of over $4
billion and 7,900 employees, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of L'Oreal SA, one
of the world's leading beauty companies. L'Oreal USA has Research and
Development, Manufacturing and Distribution facilities across eight states in
the U.S., including New York, New Jersey, Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio,
Colorado and Texas.  L'Oreal's impressive portfolio of brands includes
Lanctme, Giorgio Armani, Shu Uemura, L'Oreal Paris, Garnier, Vichy, Biotherm,
La Roche-Posay, L'Oreal Professionnel and Kerastase. The U.S. is the base for
the product development, international marketing and advertising for L'Oreal's
eight American brands: Maybelline New York, Soft-Sheen Carson, Kiehl's Since
1851, Ralph Lauren, Redken 5th Avenue NYC, Matrix, Mizani and SkinCeuticals.


SOURCE Giorgio Armani Parfums

HONG KONG, April 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Global Sources
(Nasdaq: GSOL) will hold the largest-ever China Sourcing Fairs at Hong Kong's
AsiaWorld-Expo April 15-18 and April 22-25.  The Fairs are the biggest new
electronics, components, gifts, home products and fashion accessories trade
shows in Hong Kong.
    (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030303/LNM011LOGO-b )
    The China Sourcing Fairs are also the largest shows yet at Hong Kong's new
70,000 square-meter, state-of-the-art AsiaWorld-Expo exhibition center.

     -- Electronics & Components -- Hong Kong's most comprehensive
        electronics and components show featuring over 1,700 booths of new
        suppliers from Greater China.  April 15-18.
     -- Fashion Accessories -- Hong Kong's first-ever specialized fashion
        accessories trade fair, showcasing the region's latest designs and
        with over 500 booths.  April 15-18.
     -- Gifts & Home Products -- Featuring over 3,600 booths and more than
        1,200 mainland China suppliers filling all 10 halls of the venue.
        Koelnmesse's Practical World Hong Kong -- co-located with the Gifts
        & Home Products show -- will feature a range of hardware and
        do-it-yourself products.  April 22-25.

    Chairman and CEO of Global Sources, Merle A. Hinrichs, said: ''With over
3,600 booths, our Gifts & Home Products show, to our knowledge, is the
biggest-ever, first-time export trade show to be held in Hong Kong.
    ''The tremendous number of new suppliers from mainland China and across
Asia will give international buyers even more reason to come to Hong Kong.''

    Tens of thousands of buyers expected to attend
    Tens of thousands of buyers have pre-registered to attend the Fairs --
among them representatives from IKEA, the world's largest furniture retailer,
Carrefour, the world's second-largest retailer and Coles Myer, Australia's
largest retailer.

    Agentrics members with US$1 trillion in retail sales to participate
    Agentrics, an organization representing 50 global retailers with US$1
trillion in annual sales, will also participate in the China Sourcing Fairs.
Member companies include Carrefour, the second-largest retailer in the world,
Sears, the third-largest retailer in the US, and Metro, Germany's largest
retailer.
    Agentrics' Executive Chairman, Christopher Sellers, said: ''This location
and the timing of the China Sourcing Fairs offer definite advantages to
Agentrics members.
    ''The number of new suppliers exhibiting is of great interest to buyers
from our member companies who will participate.  Besides visiting exhibitors,
they will participate in Vendor Summits and Private Buyer Meetings.''
    One buyer, General Manager of Mueller Electric China, Richard Bao, said:
''The China Sourcing Fairs are perfectly located and timed during the key
April and October buying seasons.  We can meet many new mainland China
suppliers right here in Hong Kong.  Plus, the venue is right beside the
airport.''

    Strong exhibitor presence from Greater China and throughout Asia
    Suppliers are from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand and India.
    To help buyers spot product trends, each trade show will feature a New
Product Gallery showcasing the latest designs from Greater China and Asia.
    One supplier who exhibited at the China Sourcing Fairs in Shanghai, Yang
Guohe, President of International Business Division of Konka Group, said:
''This will be our first time to exhibit in Hong Kong.  We met many quality
buyers at the China Sourcing Fairs in Shanghai.  Now that the Fairs are in
Hong Kong, we expect even better results.''
    Chief Executive Officer of AsiaWorld-Expo Management Limited, Nicolas
Borit, said: ''With the first series of China Sourcing Fairs, which will
utilize all our facilities at AsiaWorld-Expo in April, we are delighted and
ready to welcome all trade buyers and visitors to this largest exhibition and
events center in Hong Kong.''

    Unique sourcing events and conference programs featured
    The China Sourcing Fairs offer unique value-added buyer and supplier
services, including:

     -- Vendor Summits -- unique to China Sourcing Fairs, these allow buyers
        to introduce their companies and outline their sourcing requirements
        to exhibitors.
     -- Private Buyer Meetings create opportunities for pre-selected
        exhibitors to meet face-to-face with some of the world's top buyers.
     -- Comprehensive conference programs cover product trends, logistics,
        marketing and other trade topics.

    Buyers including Staples, the world's largest office supply retailer,
RadioShack, the number-one electronics chain in the US and El Cortes Ingles,
the largest department store chain in Spain will participate in Vendor Summits
and Private Buyer Meetings.

    China Sourcing Fairs show dates and times
    Opening hours for the China Sourcing Fairs: Electronics & Components and
Fashion Accessories:

     -- April 15 - 17: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
     -- April 18: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

    China Sourcing Fair: Gifts & Home Products and Practical World Hong Kong
opening hours:

     -- April 22 - 24: 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
     -- April 25: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

    Easy access to AsiaWorld-Expo by Airport Express Train, Free Shuttle Buses
    AsiaWorld-Expo is one minute from Hong Kong Airport and 25 minutes from
downtown via the Airport Express Train.  Visitors who use an ''Octopus Card''
will enjoy discounted fares for same-day return trips.
    Global Sources will provide free shuttle bus service to and from the venue
from locations throughout Hong Kong.  The venue is also easily accessible by
public bus, taxi and private car.
    Buyers wishing to visit the Fairs can find more information, including
transportation options, at http://www.chinasourcingfair.com .
    The China Sourcing Fairs are an important part of Global Sources' sourcing
and product information services, which include Global Sources trade
magazines, Global Sources Online ( http://www.globalsources.com ) and Global
Sources Direct ( http://www.globalsourcesdirect.com ).  Further information
about Global Sources is available at http://www.corporate.globalsources.com .

    About Global Sources
    Global Sources is a leading business-to-business (B2B) media company and a
primary facilitator of two-way trade with Greater China.  It provides sourcing
information to volume buyers and integrated marketing services to suppliers.
    The company helps its community of more than 479,000 active buyers to
source more profitably from complex, overseas supply markets.  With the goal
of providing as many effective ways as possible to advertise, market and sell,
Global Sources enables suppliers to sell to hard-to-reach buyers in 230
countries.
    The company offers the most extensive range of media and export marketing
services in the industries it serves.  Suppliers using its four primary
channels -- online marketplaces, magazines, trade shows and direct online
sales -- are supported by its advertising creative, education programs and
online content management applications.
    Global Sources delivers information on 1.4 million products and more than
130,000 suppliers annually through 10 leading online marketplaces and monthly
magazines, more than 100 sourcing research reports, and 14 China Sourcing
Fairs and other trade shows.  Buyers send more than 5.8 million inquiries
annually to suppliers through Global Sources Online ( http://www.globalsources.com )
alone.  Global Sources Direct is the company's new initiative that helps
suppliers sell online.
    In mainland China, Global Sources has a 25-year track record and 1,400
team members in 44 locations.  Its services are backed by 35 years experience
as a trade magazine publisher, 14 years as an organizer of trade shows, and 10
years as an online marketplace operator.

    Global Sources Press Contact in Asia:
     Camellia So
     Tel:   +852-2555-5023
     Email: cso@globalsources.com

    Global Sources Investor Contact in Asia:
     Eddie Heng
     Tel:   +65-6547-2850
     Email: eheng@globalsources.com

    Global Sources Press Contact in U.S.:
     James W.W. Strachan
     Tel:   +1-602-978-7504
     Email: strachan@globalsources.com

    Global Sources Investor Contacts in U.S.:
     Kirsten Chapman & Moriah Shilton
     Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
     Tel:   +1-415-433-3777
     Email: kirsten@lhai-sf.com


SOURCE Global Sources Limited
Photo Notes: NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030303/LNM011LOGO-b PRN
Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Web Site: Web sites: http://www.globalsources.com
http://www.chinasourcingfair.com
http://www.globalsourcesdirect.com
http://www.corporate.globalsources.com

Posh Rags Originals has always controlled its own brand distribution, which in strategy would reduce “Fakes” however this seems not to be the case! The demand
far outstrips supply and now it appears the natural conclusion of this strategy has spawned an underground industry of genuinely desired fakes.  Our design team
has refined our garments in a way that it may take some time for the “Fakers” to catch on!

The fake sub-brand has even fooled some Posh Rags Originals aficionado’s!  All Posh Rags Original garments now have a certain number within the garments number
that can be matched with its tag! We know this will not stop fakes! However it may take some time before the fakers catch on to this one! We are always trying
to refine our garments so that Posh Rags Originals, maintains the High Quality that comes with the Posh Rags Originals brand.

Sewn products industry members need only travel as far as New York City this fall to get a first-hand look at the products, services and manufacturing capabilities of the African continent.  Urban Expositions and the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) announce that more than 30 textile and apparel companies from Africa will come together to form one of many global pavilions at Material World New York, September 26-28, 2006 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. 

Former research scientist trades in her lab coat to design handbags.

Debuting in Spring 2006, Stylesse Handbags & Apparel is poised to become the handbag world’s next big thing. Created by Ehmonie Hainey, a fashionable former research scientist and self taught fashion designer, Stylesse was developed over the past two years in her spare time. After spending years in the laboratory, Ms. Hainey decided it was time for a career change, and she pursued one of her first loves, entrepreneurship. (She launched her own beaded jewelry business at 16, and a pressed flower design company, Couture de Fleur, at 24).

ECOnscious, an eco-friendly business-to-business apparel manufacturer, announced the launch of their organic unbranded men's and women's clothing and accessories collection. ECOnscious, headquartered in Petaluma, CA, will focus on the multi-billion dollar promotional and private label industries, targeting both big and small businesses that want to do their part in protecting the planet.

Celebrating its mutual passion for beautiful design, Lexus and Vogue for the first time will present the "The Lexus Fashion Preview" fashion show at the 56th
Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. On Friday, Aug. 18, more than
1,500 guests will enjoy the luxurious, invitation-only event that will
showcase collections from the next generation of young American design
talent.
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Learn more about fashion events and fashion week at ApparelSearch.com

Avery Dennison Retail Information Services (RIS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Philip Calderbank as director of marketing – RFID & Security.

In his new role, Calderbank will be responsible for Avery Dennison RIS’ worldwide strategy for RFID and security products.

Spain's top fashion show has turned away a slew of models on grounds they are too skinny - an unprecedented swipe at body images blamed for encouraging eating disorders among young people.

Organizers of the pageant, known as the Pasarela Cibeles, used a mathematical formula to calculate the models' body mass index - a measure of their weight in relation to their height - and 30 percent of the women flunked, said the Association of Fashion Designers of Spain.

The association said Friday it wanted models at the show running from Sept. 18-22 to project "an image of beauty and health" and shun a gaunt, emaciated look.