On Friday, March 9, 2012, the third annual DVF Awards will take place at the United Nations in New York during Newsweek & The Daily Beast's Women in the World Summit held March 8-10 at Lincoln Center. The DVF Awards were created in 2010 by Diane von Furstenberg and The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation to recognize and support women who are using their resources, commitment and visibility to transform the lives of other women. These are women who have had the courage to fight, the power to survive and the leadership to inspire.  Each year, five awards are given to women who have demonstrated leadership, strength and courage in their commitment to women's causes.

Salvatore Ferragamo announces the launch of the Spring/Summer 2012 Women's Runway online trunk show to go live on Thursday, January 26th. This important digital initiative marks the only opportunity to purchase the RTW collection via e-commerce which will be available for pre-order on the site for a limited time period. The trunk show will offer a range of head-to-toe runway looks from the Spring Summer runway collection including clothing, shoes and handbags.

The "World's Top 100 Most Valuable Luxury Brands Official Release ", organized by World Luxury Association, was successfully held in January 2012 in Beijing. This event, commonly referred to as the "Luxury Oscar Awards", bring together the Top 100 luxury brands in such diverse fields as aircraft, yachts, cars, jewelry, watches, fashion, liquor, cosmetics, resorts and Innovation brands. The rapid development of China's luxury consumer market is garnering global attention. World Luxury Association's official report on 2012 shows that China has become the world's largest consumer of luxury goods. The report predicts: With the phenomenon of RMB appreciation and depreciation of the Euro and the number of Chinese traveling to Europe in 2012, total consumption of luxury goods is expected to reach 59 billion Euros – a record high. The spending power of Chinese overseas will urge China to become the world's most powerful luxury consumer purchasing country.

Continuing to build upon its global expansion, Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. announces that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Delta Galil Industries, Ltd. (DELT/Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, DELTY.PK/OTCQX) for men's and women's underwear, loungewear and hosiery under both the "Kenneth Cole New York" and "Kenneth Cole Reaction" labels. 

The Tommy Hilfiger Group, which is wholly owned by PVH Corp, is pleased to announce an agreement with Ittierre S.p.A to license the men's and women's runway collections beginning Fall 2012 and pre-collections Spring 2013. Ittierre will produce and distribute apparel and the majority of accessories, with distribution concentrated in Europe, North America and Asia. 

La Isla Fashion Group LLC, a couture swimwear and apparel line that houses the La Isla brand, as well as Doc Lausch's Surf Prescriptions, announces its partnership with American Rebel Public Relations, a full service public relations agency based in Hollywood.

When world-renowned fashion designer Donna Karan's husband, Stephan Weiss, was dying of lung cancer in 2001, she was distressed that there was no place in the New York hospital that offered yoga and other meditative therapies to ease his suffering. The experience galvanized her into action.

"Much was missing from Stephan's care," Karan said. "He needed the knowledge of traditional Western medicine. But he also needed healing that can only be accessed from the heart and through the spirit. Out of my frustrations with the treatment at even the best medical facilities, a commitment was born. I am determined to do what I can to create a new model for wellness and patient care in hospitals and to address the needs of patients' loved ones and the staff who are on the journey with them."

In an effort to continue global expansion of the brand, Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. and Reliance Brands Limited, announced today that they have signed a licensing agreement in India for retail and premium wholesale distribution. The agreement will include the opening of five stores over the next three years, with plans to open an additional 20 stores in the following five years.

DKNY and DKNY Jeans have tapped Ashley Greene for an exclusive one-year agreement to represent the brands in its advertising campaigns. Ashley Greene, best known for her recurring role as Alice Cullen in the Twilight film series, will also serve as the brands' ambassador.

Seth Aaron Inspired by Earthtec, made from textiles from recycled plastic bottles, is unveiled at Portland Fashion Week

During a jaw-dropping presentation at Portland Fashion Week last week, sustainable lifestyle apparel brand Earthtec unveiled its provocative collaboration with Seth Aaron Henderson, season 7 winner of "Project Runway." The completely sustainable collaboration was inspired by Earthtec and Seth Aaron's mutual philosophies of creating "clothing with a conscience."

Elie Tahari and Arthur S. Levine announced today that they have formed a partnership with Catherine Malandrino, a designer and brand with wholesale, retail and e-commerce, including stores in New York and around the world. "I feel incredibly fortunate to have met such successful and talented people with a shared vision. Elie, Arthur and I will explore the full potential of the Catherine Malandrino brand," Malandrino said. The Catherine Malandrino brand began 12 years ago and has grown into an international icon of femininity, strength and style that is effortlessly chic. Fusing the energy of New York City with the romance of Paris, Catherine Malandrino designs for the women of the world. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Lauded for her work as a fashion designer and stylist, businesswoman and philanthropist, the Texas native told her story in an interview with journalist Joy Sewing of the Houston Chronicle.  The enthusiastic crowd, including her lifelong friends and family members; three brothers, one sister, her niece and nephew and daughter, Beyonce, listened as Miss Tina (as she is affectionately known) told her story about growing up in Galveston, Texas, the youngest of seven children and recounted early lessons she learnt from her parents, particularly her seamstress mother, the late Agnez Dereon Beyonce, that would set her on her path. She also talked about her deep bond with her two daughters, Beyonce and Solange, and what it was like designing for and travelling with Destiny's Child.

GARAGE, the apparel brand that has been delivering effortlessly stylish casual clothing to teen girls in Canada, United States, United Arab Emirates and Qatar is delighted to announce its new partnership with Fawaz A. Al Hokair - Fashion Retail, a leader in brand licensing within the region of Saudi Arabia.

Maeok luxury fashion marketplace brings experienced global buyers, boutiques and coveted premium brands together in 1 central location.

Fashion designer David Meister will be honored at the first annual Susan G. Komen Los Angeles "Designs for the Cure" gala, an organization devoted to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research.  The event will be held in association with the Otis College of Art and Design, an institution where David is extremely involved in mentoring students and nurturing young talent.

Derek Lam, the designer and brand known for its understated luxury, refined cuts, and bold silhouettes, receives the distinguished title of "Mercedes-Benz Presents" designer for this season's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2012 Collections, which kick off this week.  The Derek Lam runway show is being held on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at Lincoln Center, home of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.