American Express Announces Exclusive, Enhanced Cardmember Experiences Throughout New York Fashion Week

Strengthens Commitment to Fashion Industry, Reveals Exclusive 3.1 phillip lim Runway Experience and Showcases Proud Support of Fashion’s Night Out

NEW YORK -- American Express announces new and enhanced experiences that will connect Cardmembers with their favorite designers and provide them with exclusive shopping benefits and activities throughout New York City, including Fashion’s Night Out and on-site at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Throughout the week, Cardmembers will be given an up-close view of the runway shows from the Jonathan Adler-designed American Express® Skybox under the Tents at Bryant Park, where they will meet with designers and industry experts who will help translate the looks they’re seeing on the runway into their personal style. Acclaimed fashion designer Philip Lim and American Express will create a one-of-a-kind runway event on Thursday, September 17 exclusively for Cardmembers, offering insight into his current collection and an exclusive encore presentation of his 3.1 phillip lim Spring 2010 Collection.

“American Express is proud to return to the Tents at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and to also connect with the fashion community beyond our activities at Bryant Park,” said Jessica Igoe, Director of Global Sponsorship Marketing, American Express. “We are continually looking to create the authentic experiences that our Cardmembers love and to support the fashion industry. American Express strives to connect our Cardmembers with the fashion world through on and off-site activities, expert insights and unparalleled moments.”

“It is always wonderful to see how American Express continues to raise the bar each season and offer innovative, one-of-a-kind experiences for their Cardmembers at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week,” added Fern Mallis, Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion. “This season’s activities will take the electricity in the Tents to new heights and provide amazing access into the world of fashion, and we are thrilled to once again welcome American Express® Cardmembers to Bryant Park.”

Cardmember Access: Under the Tents at Bryant Park

* Skybox Offers Fresh Look and Experiences: Sporting a newly-enhanced design by Jonathan Adler and hosted by celebrity stylist and fashion expert Kate Nobelius, the American Express Skybox will offer Platinum Card® and Gold Card members an up-close view of some of the season’s hottest collections.

* Insider Insights and Fashion Advice: A full slate of fashion and design experts will interact with Cardmembers and share their personal insights into the world of fashion. American Express will also offer new activities this season such as hosting top designers at the Skybox with selected looks that were seen minutes prior on the runway, and giving Cardmembers the opportunity to pre-order before anyone else.

* Extended Access: To round out the fashionable VIP experience for Cardmembers in attendance, an American Express on-site concierge will be available in the Lobby to assist Card members throughout the week. The concierge can provide Cardmembers with access to highly-coveted reservations at a selection of New York’s most-buzzed about restaurants across all five boroughs, as well as transportation and additional hospitality needs.

* By Invitation Only®: By Invitation Only experiences provide an even deeper look into the world of fashion via coordinated meet-and-greets with elite insiders, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Tents at Bryant Park and hair and make-up touch-ups done by industry professionals who work backstage with the designers and models throughout the week.

American Express Presents Exclusive Runway Experience
As part of the enhanced experiences American Express provides at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and across the broader fashion community during this season’s runway shows, American Express is partnering with acclaimed fashion designer Phillip Lim to present a unique runway experience exclusively for Cardmembers on Thursday, September 17 at 10:00 PM in the Promenade.

Hosted by André Leon Talley, editor-at-large for Vogue magazine, and Linda Fargo, Senior Vice President, Fashion Office and Store Presentation for Bergdorf Goodman, the event will provide Cardmembers access to the coveted floor seats to be up close and personal with these icons of the industry. Along with Lim, the evening’s hosts will open the event by offering expert insights from their respective designer, editorial and retail perspectives on a selection of 3.1 phillip lim looks currently available at retail. Following the discussion will be an encore presentation of the 3.1 phillip lim Spring 2010 collection.

“With consumers becoming increasingly savvy about the world of fashion, I am always challenging myself to create new and authentic ways for customers to experience my collections,” said Phillip Lim. “By partnering with American Express, I am able to provide Cardmembers insight beyond the traditional runway show and offer them a one-of-a-kind experience into my design process.”

American Express will donate proceeds from the sale of event invitations as part of its $250,000 donation to the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund (CVFF), a program (of the CFDA) to help emerging American designers succeed in the business of fashion by providing ongoing support.

“American Express continues to showcase its dedicated partnership with the CFDA, and its authentic and credible integration into the designer community provides significant benefit for the industry as a whole,” said Steven Kolb, Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

Fashion’s Night Out: Cardmember Benefits to Shop and Save in Style
Also this season, American Express is giving Cardmembers a new perspective on fashion by branching out beyond Bryant Park through its support of Fashion’s Night Out. Offering the only way to save across more than 700 participating retailers that evening, Cardmembers who pre-register at americanexpress.com/entertainment and spend at least $300 in total at two or more stores will receive a $50 credit on their next American Express monthly statement. Additionally, American Express Cardmembers can receive a free appetizer or dessert option with purchase of an entrée at a variety of participating restaurants across the city (no pre-registration required). Additional information on the evening’s activities can be found in the official map of Fashion’s Night Out, created by American Express or at americanexpress.com/entertainment.

“American Express is proud to support Fashion’s Night Out and help stimulate the retail business in New York City by providing exclusive Cardmember benefits across more than 700 participating retailers and restaurant partners during this special evening,” added Jessica Igoe, Director of Global Sponsorship Marketing, American Express. “We continue to look for new and innovative ways to connect Cardmembers with the fashion community, and Fashion’s Night Out will be a wonderful way for Cardmembers to celebrate fashion, receive exclusive benefits and create their own memorable experience.”

To learn more about American Express’ special access to the world of fashion and other entertainment offers, visit americanexpress.com/entertainment.