Beginning at Bryant Park, there will be an entirely new look to the venue. Artist Stephen Sprouse has designed the outside facade of the tents in the Day-Glo graffiti he has recently popularized on Louis Vuitton accessories. The decor inside the tent will be much different than in previous seasons as well. The lobby, for instance, has been redesigned as a sleek, modern interior, beautifully lit by fluorescent lights behind sheer walls.

As an additional convenience to aid busy Fashion Week attendees, MBUSA is working with Palm, Inc. to provide high-tech stations that will beam up-to-the minute show schedules and Mercedes-Benz product information through Palm OS(R) based handheld devices.

Mercedes-Benz will be showcasing several new 2002 models during the week by rotating display vehicles inside the venue. These models will include the all-new C-Class Coupe and Wagon; the G-Class, Mercedes' ultimate sport utility vehicle that goes on sale this December; the high-performance CLK55 Cabriolet and the ML500 sport utility vehicle.

"Mercedes-Benz and the New York Fashion Industry are perfect partners -- both are modern, and synonymous with design excellence. Through this dynamic collaboration, we are able to showcase the best of both industries to a style-conscious global audience," said Fern Mallis, executive director -- 7th on Sixth and vice president IMG.

In an effort to bring the excitement of Fashion Week to its customers, Mercedes-Benz will be launching a new event, Mercedes-Benz Rocks the Runway, on the closing day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. This invitation-only event is targeted to Mercedes-Benz customers and prospects who have an interest in fashion and trends. The event will include a "Best of Fall Fashion" runway show and a special musical performance by award-winning songster Macy Gray. New York City will serve as a test market for this concept with the possibility of extending the program to additional cities beginning in 2002.

"There are a lot of synergies between fashion and the Mercedes-Benz brand with its emphasis on the dynamic aspects of style, innovation, quality, design and sheer fun," said Dave Schembri, vice president of marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA. "As we continue to bring new vehicles to market that appeal to a young, hip and more lifestyle-oriented buyer, we must find new ways to leverage our marketing efforts in fresh, entertaining and meaningful ways."

MBUSA will also partner with Saks Fifth Avenue to benefit the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Targets Breast Cancer initiative that is aimed at increasing the awareness of breast cancer to the forefront of consumer's minds. During October, a special on-line auction will be held on Saks.com, powered by eBay, with various items to benefit FTBC. The all-new 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Wagon, valued around $40,000, with its truck filled with gift certificates and merchandise from renowned designers, will be one of the featured auction items with 100 percent of the auction's proceeds going to FTBC. From October 18-21, proceeds from a charity shopping weekend held at Saks Fifth Avenue stores will help fund various local and national breast cancer charities. MBUSA will be underwriting the FTBC parties at more than 45 Saks Fifth Avenue stores during this time frame.

Mercedes-Benz's multi-year agreement with IMG's 7th on Sixth division, the show's producer and management company, began with the Fall 2001 Collections held in February 2001 in New York City. Created in 1993, 7th on Sixth organized, centralized and modernized the American Collections, and continues to revolutionize the way New York collections are presented and funded.