Mercedes-Benz Spotlights Design and Craftsmanship at Spring 2009 Fashion Week

NEW YORK, Sept. 5, 2008 - 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 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, Renee Zellweger and this year's ambassador, Gwyneth Paltrow have supported the campaign. As part of the 10th anniversary, 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 Lagerfeld-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.