By Maria Esteves – February 20, 2012

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York Fall 2012 (MBFWNYF12) Collections were held at the tents in Lincoln Center and venues in downtown New York, February 9-16, 2012. Presented by IMG Fashion, MBFWNYF12 was sponsored by American Express, DHL, Diet Pepsi, Fiber One Bars, ideeli, Maybelline New York, Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits, TRESemme, W Hotels Worldwide, and WGSN. This season designer Naeem Khan received the title of ‘Mercedes Benz presents.’ His Autumn/Winter 2012 luxurious collection was inspired by various ancient artistic techniques defining the decadence and dust of India, from paisley designs to metallic, silver, and gold embroidery details.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is a prestigious and glamorous event that biannually (September, February) showcase established and emerging designers from all over the world. Designers at the New York runways showcasing their exciting Autumn/Winter 2012 collections included: Academy of Art University, Anna Sui, B Michael America, Badgley Mischka, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Betsey Johnson, Bibhu Mohapatra, Brandon Sun, Calvin Klein, Candela, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Carmen Marc Valvo, Chadwick Bell, Concept Korea, Charlotte Ronson, Custo Barcelona, Dennis Basso, Derek Lam, Donna Karan New York, Diane von Furstenberg, Diesel Black Gold, Emilio Cavallini, EMERSON, Falguni & Shane Peacock, Farah Angsana, Fotini, The Greenshows - Collection Previews, General Idea, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Haus Alkire, Honor, Jill Stuart, Jenny Packham, Joanna Mastroianni, Japan 2012, J.Crew, J. Mendel, Joseph Abboud, Joy Cioci, Kaelen, Katya Leonovich, Lacoste, L.A.M.B., Leather Japan 2012, Lela Rose, Levi’s, Lorena Sarbu, Mara Hoffman, Michael Kors, Monique Lhuillier, Mathieu Mirano, Milly by Michelle Smith, Naeem Khan, Nanette Lepore,Naeem Khan, Narciso Rodriguez, Negarin, Nicholas K, Nicole Miller, Nomia,Norisol Ferrari, Norman Ambrose, Pamella Roland, PARKCHOONMOO, Prete & Bruno, Popluxe, Rafael Cennamo, Ruffian, Ports 1961, Porter Grey, Ralph Lauren, Rebecca Taylor, Rebecca Minkoff, Reem Acra, Richard Chai, Ruffian, Rochambeau,Son Jung Wan, Suzanne Rae, Tadashi Shoji, Tibi, Timo Weiland, Tommy Hilfiger Men’s, Tory Burch, Tracy Reese, Vantan Tokyo, Venexiana, Vera Wang, Vivienne Tam, Whitney Eve,Yeohlee, Y-3, and Zang Toi. Designers debut were Candela, Leather Japan 2012, Norisol Ferrari, Nomia, Popluxe, Reem Acra, and Vantan Tokyo.

New York Fashion Week Fall 2012 presented approximately 500 shows. Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced during Fashion Week in New York’s Garment Center, runway shows attract approximately 232, 000 visitors and is expected to generate $865 million in economic development in 2012. New initiatives are underway to foster future generations of designers. City officials expect NYC retail market to increase 17 percent by 2025.

Creators of Fashion Week, cast member Fern Mallis,
“Dressing America: Tales from the Garment Center,” and
Award winning designer Stan Herman at Mercedes-Benz
Fashion Week Fall 2012 New York.

MBFWNYF2012 NAEEM KHAN Autumn/Winter 2012
Collection, backstage at Lincoln Center with fashion
designer Naeem Khan.

MBFWNYF2012 TADASHI SHOJI Fall/Winter 2012
Collection, backstage at Lincoln Center with fashion
designer Tadashi Shoji.

MBFWNYF2012 Reem Acra Fall 2012 Collection,
backstage at Lincoln Center with fashion designer
Reem Acra.

MBFWNYF2012 CARLOS MIELE Fall/Winter 2012 Collection,
backstage at Lincoln Center with fashion designer
Carlos Miele.

New York Fashion Week NAUTICA MEN’S Fall 2012 Presentation
at the Empire Hotel: creative director Chris Cox, Nautica, with models.

NY Fashion Week ANKAR SWEDEN Autumn/Winter
2012 Presentation at the Empire Hotel Rooftop:
fashion designer Niklas Ankar with models.

NY Fashion Week THE LATINO MAGAZINE Fall
2012 Show at Amnesia venue: President/CEO
Alvaro Altamirano, The Latino Show Magazine.

MBFWNYF2012 NORISOL FERRARI Fall 2012 Presentation at Lincoln
Center fashion designer Norisol Ferrari with models.

MBFWNYS2012 NICHOLAS K Fall 2012 Collection: backstage
at Lincoln Center with fashion designers Christopher Kunz,
right, and Nicholas Kunz.

MBFWNYF2012 IMG Fashion Lounge: Rachel Zoe Project
celebrity makeup/hair stylist Joey Maalouf, KINERASE.

MBFWNYF2012 GOODNESS Lounge by Reniassance Hotels:
national make-up artist Tarek Abbas, LANCOME, Paris.

BARBIE THE DREAM CLOSET presented by Albright Fashion Library was held at David Rubenstein Atrium in Lincoln Center, New York, during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, February 11-13, 2012. Inspired by the iconic BARBIE DOLL fashions from 1959-2010, Barbie’s Dream Closet provided Barbie Fashion Workshops, Barbie Design Studio, Get Doll’d Up, and Barbie Dining Lounge for young girls and their mothers. Barbie’s Dream Closet was unveiled at VIP Launch Party on Friday, February 10, 7pm. Industry leaders, designers, stylists, and celebrities attended the amazing world of Barbie.

MBFWNYF2012 Barbie the Dream Closet VIP Launch
Party at David Rubenstein Atrium: Vice President
Creative and Marketing Communications Lisa McKnight
for Barbie, Mattel, Inc.

Barbie the Dream Closet VIP Launch Party at David
Rubenstein Atrium: Richard Green of Lincoln Center.

NIVEA MILLION MOMENTS OF TOUCH MOVEMENT presented by PMK, BNC commenced Monday, February 6, 2012, 6pm, at the Empire State Building, New York during New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012. Guest speakers Dr. Drew Pinsky, Dr. Drew's Lifechangers Show, and Magnus Johnson, vice president of marketing for Beiersdorf Inc., discussed the importance and beauty of touch from one human to another in the 21st century technological age. Nivea’s provocative and highly informative event is a reminder to communicate through the power of touch!

NYFWFW12 NIVEA MILLION MOMENTS OF TOUCH MOVEMENT
at the Empire State Building: guest speaker Dr. Drew Pinsky,
Dr. Drew's Lifechangers Show.

NYFWFW12 NIVEA MILLION MOMENTS OF TOUCH MOVEMENT
at the Empire State Building: vice president of marketing
Magnus Johnson, Beiersdorf Inc.