American Express Launches Line of Must-Have Fashion Experiences for Cardmembers This September

American Express Partners With DKNY For Cardmember-Only Runway Show During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

Starting Today, Cardmember Packages Available for Access to Fashion Events at Lincoln Center and Milk Studios

NEW YORK -- American Express announces today an exclusive roster of experiences available for Cardmembers during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and MADE at Milk Studios, providing access to a wide variety of runway collections and fashion events. Starting today, Cardmembers can visit americanexpress.com/entertainment and purchase VIP packages to experience the excitement of the Spring/Summer 2012 Collections.

“American Express is proud to showcase our longstanding support of the fashion industry, and connect our style-savvy Cardmembers with more unique experiences and memorable moments than ever before,” said Jessica Igoe, Vice President of Global Sponsorship Marketing, American Express. “From Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center to the runways downtown at Milk Studios, this season American Express is providing unparalleled access to connect our Cardmembers with the designers they love.”

DKNY Cardmember-Only Fashion Show
American Express is proud to partner this season with iconic fashion designer Donna Karan to debut the DKNY 2012 Resort Collection exclusively for American Express® Cardmembers. Before the models hit the runway, Ms. Karan will offer the audience further insight into her inspiration and design approach for the collection. The event will take place Thursday, September 15 at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center, kicking off with pre-show cocktails at 7:30 p.m. and the show begining promptly at 8:30 p.m. Additionally, American Express will contribute a portion of the proceeds to the Urban Zen Foundation, which was founded by Ms. Karan and is committed to raising awareness and inspiring change in the areas of well-being, preserving cultures and empowering children.

“I am so pleased to partner with American Express this season to create a special runway event for Cardmembers showcasing the DKNY 2012 Resort Collection,” said Donna Karan. “It’s very rewarding to share my vision and designs directly with the customers through such a one-of-a-kind evening during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.”

The American Express Skybox at Lincoln Center
The signature American Express Skybox makes its return during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this season, offering a birds-eye view of the runways in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center. Between shows, Cardmembers will join this year’s Skybox Host as they mingle and gather first-hand tips and expert advice from leaders from the fashion industry.

American Express Cardmember Experiences with MADE at Milk Studios
American Express Cardmembers also have the opportunity to purchase exclusive packages to preview select Spring/Summer 2012 collections showing downtown during MADE at Milk Studios. Available packages feature a variety of fashion experiences such as VIP seating for runway shows including Billy Reid, SUNO, Sophie Theallet and more, exclusive access to designer presentations, backstage designer meet & greets, styling sessions and more.

The American Express Skybox Report
The American Express Skybox Report will offer fashion mavens everywhere a closer look into this season’s Cardmember moments via unique content curated from a select group of the industry’s high-profile and emerging fashion bloggers. Style lovers everywhere can visit amexskyboxreport.com leading up to and throughout this season’s shows and events, and also join the conversation by following @americanexpress on Twitter and using hashtag #amexfashion.

Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA)
In addition to Cardmember activties, American Express is proud of its continued support of emerging designers with a $250,000 donation to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund (CVFF), a program of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). All proceeds from the sale of Skybox packages will go towards the American Express donation.

American Express Cardmembers can now purchase tickets to the Cardmember-Only Fashion Show and exclusive packages for the American Express Skybox at Lincoln Center and MADE at Milk Studios at americanexpress.com/entertainment (tickets and packages are not tax-deductible for Cardmembers). To learn more about American Express’ special access to the world of fashion and other exciting entertainment offers, follow @AmericanExpress on Twitter, become a fan of American Express on Facebook and visit amexskyboxreport.com.

About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress, twitter.com/americanexpress and youtube.com/americanexpress.

About IMG Fashion
IMG Fashion is dedicated to facilitating a gateway to the fashion world - from creation to consumer. We offer solutions that seamlessly connect and associate fashion’s key constituents and corporate brands using IMG’s global resources, influence and expertise.

Within the fashion industry IMG represents the world’s top models, leading designers and the most influential photographers, art directors and stylists. The division produces the leading fashion events around the globe and represents many of the industry’s top organizations and federations as well as works with various local and national governments, creating regional and international fashion platforms.

For more information on IMG and its business visit imgworld.com.

About MADE at Milk Studios
MADE, formerly known as M.A.C. and Milk, was born from the successful Fashion Week collaboration that started in 2008. Now in its fifth season, MADE FASHION WEEK continues to showcase outstanding design and harness the energy of New Yorkʼs creative communities. The compelling program of events – over 35 fashion shows and presentations each season, exhibitions, parties, concerts, panel discussions and an unrivaled online presence on milkmade.com – has translated to success at a retail level and in the press, as well as in the highly coveted digital arena.

MADE has expanded as a year-round, dynamic platform for emerging design talent and other innovators and visionaries. MADE provides support to New Yorkʼs fashion community in a vibrant atmosphere that encourages creativity, fosters growth and challenges convention. These innovators and visionaries are now a powerful voice in the international fashion dialogue and have initiated a general shift in the industry.

About CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund
The CFDA/VOGUE Fashion Fund (CVFF) is an endowment that was established to help emerging American design talent find continued success in the business of fashion. In addition to business grants of $200,000 to the winner and $50,000 each to the two runners-up, the award includes mentorship from a panel of industry professionals whose expertise is tailored to the designers’ needs and future goals. Since its inception in 2003, the program has granted nearly $1.3 million to twelve different design companies. cfda.com.