THE FORUM SHOPS AT CAESARS ANNOUNCES TOP 10 FINALISTS
IN THEIR SEARCH FOR LAS VEGAS’ BEST NEW DESIGNER
Online Public Voting Now Live at facebook.com/theforumshops
Awarding of Las Vegas’ Best New Designer Hosted By Caesars Palace Headliner Matt Goss, Fashion Shows, Parties, Entertainment & In-Store Events All Part of Fashion’s Night Out Global Celebration of Shopping on Thursday, September 8
Recognized as one of the finest luxury shopping destinations in the world, The Forum Shops at Caesars and the Art Institute of Las Vegas have conducted a ground-breaking search for Las Vegas’ Best New Designer, and the Top 10 Finalists have been chosen with one talented designer set to win the title at Fashion’s Night Out on Thursday, September 8, 2011.
As part of the exciting journey which began by submitting their video applications, the Top 3 designers from the competition will all be featured in a special fashion show taking place directly over The Forum Shops famed reflecting pool. The lucky winner will then be named by Caesars Palace headliner Matt Goss. Additionally, each of the Top 3 designers will have the opportunity to showcase their winning look during the night’s festivities.
The finalists style and vision range from vintage to hippie with a rock twist to evening wear, and all the applicants have proved that they deserve a spot in the Top 10. From August 22 through August 30, the public will have a chance to help choose the winner by voting for their favorite designer only at facebook.com/theforumshops. After tabulating the votes and the combined scores from the judging panel, the Top 3 Finalists will be announced on September 2nd. Each of these designers will then be invited to participate in the special fashion show taking place in honor of Fashion’s Night Out at The Forum Shops. In addition to winning bragging rights and having their fashion featured on the runway, the winner will also take home a $500 shopping spree from The Forum Shops. The Forum Shops will also be providing the Art Institute of Las Vegas with a $2000 scholarship.
The Top 10 Las Vegas Best Designer Finalists are:
- Amanda Wesselman
- Denise Barr
- Felipe Quinonez
- Frankie Ortiz
- Jimi Urquiaga
- Jose Ambriz
- Megan Thompson
- Mikayla Marrujo
- Shawna Real
- Susan Tosches-Deneau
“We were so excited about the level of enthusiasm from the applicants. …they were original, talented and distinctive,” explains Maureen Crampton, director of marketing, The Forum Shops. “This project proved that we have a great deal of talent right here in Las Vegas, and we are proud to have provided a platform for them to gain more attention and awareness. They are all winners in our eyes!”
“The Art Institute of Las Vegas is very proud to be part of this competition,” explains Nancy Bohnett, Academic Director Interior Design & Fashion and Retail Management & Drafting Technology and Design. “It’s so important to support local programs and our own talent here in Las Vegas. We have seen so much excitement from our own students and staff, and we have worked with the team at The Forum Shops to make sure all potential designers were aware of this unique search.”
High fashion will also be in the house with several fashion shows featuring more than 25 specialty retail partners. A specially designed runway has been created and will be placed over The Forum Shops famed reflecting pool; providing three floors of unique viewing areas. Adding to the excitement and further creating a distinctly celebratory vibe, special lounge areas, photo booths and entertainment can be discovered throughout the retail destination.
With 75 participating retailers, there will be plenty of fun things to see and do for fashion’s biggest party during Fashion’s Night Out at The Forum Shops. Enjoy makeovers with the talented experts at Dior Beauty where you’ll find a special makeup artist in-store. See what good fortune is in your cards with astrology and Chinese tarot readings at Eric Andrew Collection. Help Haiti with the purchase of a special T-shirt at Valentino where you’ll also find champagne and appetizers. Enjoy special refreshments in-store at Custo Barcelona, DKNY, Giuseppe Zanotti, James Perse, St. John, Swarovski, Tadashi, and Vilebrequin. Elie Tahari has exciting festivities in store as will Emporio Armani, Gucci and Longchamp. Stop by Michael Kors for chocolates, champagne and a raffle and Montblanc will have a fine jewelry trunk show. David Yurman is offering champagne and light fare and Donald J Pliner is hosting an in-store fashion show. There will be a DJ and party inside Y-3, H&M and Emilio Pucci and a celebration going on at John Varvatos, Anne Fontaine, Ted Baker London, Bettie Page, Jimmy Choo and Fendi. Treat yourself to complimentary facials and martinis inside Fresh and mini makeovers and refreshments at GUESS and GUESS by Marciano and so much more.
Additional participating retailers in this year’s Fashion’s Night Out at The Forum Shops include: Agent Provocateur, Ann Taylor, Baccarat, Bally, Brighton Collectibles, Brooks Brothers, Cache’, Coach, Casa Fuente Cigar Bar, Couture Collections, DeBeers, Dolce & Gabbana, Gap, Hyde Park, Inglot, Intermix, Judith Leiber, Judith Ripka, Juicy Couture, Kids Kastle, Kiehl’s Since 1851 and Lacoste.
Fashion’s Night Out festivities are also in store at MAC Cosmetics, Marc Jacobs, Marshall Rousso, Reed Krakoff, Salvatore Ferragamo, Scoop NYC, Shoooz at The Forum, Sony Style, Tod’s, Tommy Bahama, Tourneau, Tumi and UGG Australia.
In addition to the shopping festivities, many of The Forum Shops restaurants including BOA Steakhouse, Max Brenner – Chocolate by the Bald Man, P.J. Clarke’s, Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab, Planet Hollywood, Spago, The Palm Las Vegas, Trevi Italian Restaurant and Sushi Roku, are participating by presenting palette-pleasing Fashion’s Night Out menu items, signature drinks, special offers and activities.
For an ongoing, updated comprehensive listing of all Fashion’s Night Out at The Forum Shops activities visit Fashion’s Night Out at The Forum Shops forumshopsfno.com or on facebook.com/ForumShops and follow on twitter.com/the_forum_shops.
ABOUT THE FORUM SHOPS AT CAESARS
The Forum Shops at Caesars opened 283,000 square feet in May 1992 to immediate success. An August 1997 expansion to 500,000 square feet continued the momentum. The third phase of The Forum Shops’ growth was a three-level expansion extending from the existing retail, dining and entertainment icon to the famed Las Vegas Strip adding 175,000 square feet, with completion October 2004. A grand pedestrian plaza entrance on Las Vegas Boulevard further validates The Forum Shops as one of the finest luxury shopping streets in the world. The Forum Shops is recognized for its unique combination of top retail, dining, entertainment, excellent location and exciting ambiance featuring 150 specialty shops and 15 restaurants. Additional information may be accessed at forumshops.com.
ABOUT FASHION’S NIGHT OUT
Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) is an unprecedented global initiative created to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence and boost the industry¹s economy. In the United States, the program is collaboration between American Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Company and the City of New York. On Sept. 10, 2010, Fashion¹s Night Out will return to New York City and launch in cities nationwide to put the fun back in shopping, with designer appearances, live windows, celebrity guests and other special events. Around the world and led by fifteen international Vogue editions (Australia, Britain, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Taiwan and Turkey), each country will celebrate Fashion’s Night Out on one night between Sept. 7 and Sept. 16, 2010. Fashion¹s Night Out will be the subject of a one-hour special on CBS on Sept. 14, 2010. For more information visit fashionsnightout.com, powered by QVC, or join us on Facebook and Twitter ( twitter.com/fnonyc).
