May 29, 2002/ FW/ --- While the fashion savvy have been wearing white all year, traditionalists have been waiting until after Memorial Day to break out those summer whites.

On July 3, Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX) will be providing North American customers with the perfect fashion accessory by introducing Crème Frappuccino, a unique line of velvety white blended beverages with visual appeal and taste to match.

Fueling a nationwide resurgence in the color white's popularity, Vanilla and Coconut Crème Frappuccino blended beverages are frosty concoctions that get their stylish hue from an absence of coffee.

From all white designer clothing lines to ivory clad nightlife hotspots, shades of white are making an undisputed comeback in the world of fashion, food, and with the social elite.

"White is classic and simple but also hot and trendy," said analyst Tom Julian of Fallon Trend, a unit of Fallon Worldwide.

"This pristine color palette has become part of the minimal home décor craze, the stylized beauty world and the artist food craze."

Although Crème Frappuccino blended beverage's color may be fashion-forward, the products' delectable taste is classic.

Blended Vanilla Crème Frappuccino features the traditional flavor of rich vanilla, blended to creamy perfection. Coconut Crème Frappuccino blended beverage includes the delightful addition of real toasted coconut.

The Crème introduction represents an exciting new addition to Starbucks ever-popular Frappuccino blended beverage line, initially introduced in 1995.

The Crème Frappuccino blended beverages are featured alongside Starbucks signature Frappuccino flavors including: Coffee, Mocha, Caramel, Chocolate Brownie and Mocha Coconut.

"Starbucks expanded the Frappuccino family to satisfy customers with a broader array of blended beverages," said Howard Behar, Starbucks president, North American Operations.

"The Crème Frappuccino is perfect for those in search of an ice blended beverage without coffee."