Style and Sound Converge for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer(R) Benefit Auction

Style and Sound Converge for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer(R) Benefit Auction

- Top Designers and Celebrities to Offer Custom iPod Cases and Playlists -

NEW YORK, June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Led by designer and Board Member Marc Ecko, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has partnered with leaders in fashion and entertainment to host an online charity auction featuring one-of-a-kind iPod cases created by some of today's most notable designers. The auction is currently live on eBay Live Auctions (http://pages.liveauctions.ebay.com/catalogs/catalog17573.html) and will conclude at 8:00pm on Wednesday, June 22 at a party hosted by Ecko and Carolina Herrera, the initiative's co-chair. Proceeds from the sale will benefit Fashion Targets Breast Cancer(R) (FTBC), a philanthropic initiative of the CFDA Foundation, which, since its inception in 1994 has raised more than $40 million for distribution to breast cancer organizations in 13 countries.

Titled "Style & Sound: A Case for a Cause," the auction features 14 truly unique iPod cases, each of which will contain a new iPod (courtesy of Apple Computers) and a playlist created by the designer's celebrity partner. Participating designers and their partners are: Marc Ecko with Mary J. Blige; Carolina Herrera with Renee Zellweger; Betsey Johnson with Cyndi Lauper; Cynthia Rowley with Maggie Gyllenhaal; Luca Orlandi of Luca Luca with Mischa Barton; Robert Lee Morris with Brooke Shields; Vivienne Tam with Jessica Alba; Liz Lange with Billy Baldwin and Chynna Phillips; Max Azria of BCBG Max Azria with Brittany Murphy; Nanette Lepore with Hype Williams; Judith Leiber with Katie Holmes; and Carmen Marc Valvo with Vanessa Williams. Donna Karan's playlist will feature music from 20 years of her fashion shows, and Sean Combs will create his own playlist under his "P. Diddy" moniker.

Warming up to the unusual design challenge, designers Herrera and Leiber stayed close to their signature looks, with sleek and bejeweled cases respectively, while Donna Karan created a bold rendition in hammered brass. Other designs include a brightly beaded and belted case by Nanette Lepore and a brocade and fur-trimmed Vivienne Tam creation.

In addition to the auction of designer iPod cases, on July 1st, Marc Ecko and Monster Cable Products, Inc. will introduce "A Case For A Cause," a one-of-a-kind iPod case designed by Marc Ecko to promote awareness and raise funds for the FTBC initiative. The light-blue leather cases, featuring FTBC's signature bull's-eye logo and packaged in a box with information about breast cancer awareness, available at Apple stores, online at http://www.apple.com/, and through various leading retailers for MSRP $24.99. Net proceeds will benefit FTBC.

The multifaceted "Style & Sound" fund raising initiative is the inspiration of Marc Ecko. "When I became a member of the CFDA Board of Directors last year," says Ecko, the board's youngest member, "I wanted to become involved in bringing new energy to the organization using art, music, and youth culture. I also wanted to do something with an impact to make a difference."

"Marc's innovative participation with FTBC will bring our message to a whole new audience," says Peter Arnold, executive director of the CFDA. "His creative enrollment of Monster, Apple and an impressive array of his fellow CFDA member designers will help us raise awareness and much needed funds for breast cancer organizations in the United States."

About The "Case for a Cause" Online Auction

The eBay Live Auctions sale, held in conjunction with LiveAuctioneers.com, enables access to the auction from anywhere in the world in "real time" (as it is taking place). On their computer screens, bidders will be able to view the collection of custom iPod as well as the actual bids on the item as those bids are being received, either live in the room or from other Internet participants. The screen indicates the next bid amount the auctioneer is asking for and allows the participant to click on a button to lodge that particular bid amount. There is also a quick warning flashed on the screen when a lot is about to be sold, offering a last-second chance to up the bid. When the auctioneer's hammer comes down on a lot, the final selling price appears on the participant's computer screen, and a picture of the next lot comes up, indicating it is open for bidding. Successful online bidders will be contacted promptly by e-mail, with full instructions on how to complete their purchase. All potential bidders must have a registered eBay account in place prior to the sale.

About Fashion Targets Breast Cancer(R)

Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC) is a worldwide charitable initiative of the Council of Fashion Designers of America/CFDA Foundation. The CFDA Foundation, through FTBC, is committed to providing meaningful assistance to women with breast cancer and their families, friends and other supporters by rallying designers, models, retailers, and other creative energies within the fashion industry.

The Foundation commits proceeds raised from FTBC campaigns to helping women concerned about or diagnosed with breast cancer gain access to reliable health information and quality health care, and to supporting education and outreach programs. Since its launch in 1994, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer has raised over $40 million for distribution to breast cancer charities in 13 countries.

FTBC currently conducts campaigns in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States. For more information, visit http://www.fashiontargetsbreastcancer.com/.

About The CFDA

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA) is a not-for- profit trade association whose membership consists of 262 of America's foremost fashion and accessory designers. CFDA Foundation, Inc. is a separate not-for-profit company, which was organized to raise funds for charity and industry activities. CFDA membership is by invitation only. New candidates are recommended by two current CFDA members, and voted in by the Board of Directors annually. Founded in 1962, the CFDA's initial goals were, and still are, "to further the position of fashion design as a recognized branch of American art and culture, to advance its artistic and professional standards, to establish and maintain a code of ethics and practices of mutual benefit in professional, public, and trade relations, and to promote and improve public understanding and appreciation of the fashion arts through leadership in quality and taste."

In addition to hosting the annual CFDA Fashion Awards, the organization sponsors key programs, including its scholarship, masters and professional development programs. The CFDA, through the CFDA Foundation, mobilizes its membership to raise funds for important charitable causes: Fashion Targets Breast Cancer(R), the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, 7th on Sale, and, most recently, Fashion for America. For more information, please visit http://www.cfda.com/.

About Marc Ecko Enterprises

The youngest member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America's board of directors, Marc Ecko is founder of *ecko unltd., the world famous rhino brand. In eleven years since its creation in 1993, the group of companies that comprise Marc Ecko Enterprises has grown to include: *ecko unltd.(R) men's and Eckored(R) women's apparel, as well as outerwear, footwear, watches, eyewear, underwear, belts, bags, hats, small leather goods, formalwear and more.

Marc Ecko Enterprises also includes Marc Ecko "Cut & Sew" (a contemporary menswear line launched Fall 2004); G-Unit(R) clothing and accessories (a joint venture with multi-platinum musician, 50 Cent); Zoo York(R) (a line of action sports-inspired clothing and accessories); Avirex(R) Sportswear Collection (a licensed mid-tier brand debuting Spring 2005); and Fetish(TM) (a women's accessories collection developed in conjunction with multimedia icon Eve). The Company also publishes Complex(R) magazine, a men's consumer magazine with a rate base of 315,000, and is developing Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure(TM), the first truly authentic video game based on urban culture and graffiti art debuting in the second half of 2005. *ecko unltd. products are available in over 5,000 stores domestically and in over 45 countries internationally, as well as through 34 of its own retail stores across the country. For additional information, please visit http://www.marceckoenterprises.com/.

Source: Marc Ecko Enterprises

CONTACT: Clint Cantwell of Marc Ecko, +1-917-262-1110, clintc@ecko.com; or Billy Daley of KCD, +1-212-590-5113, daley@kcdworldwide.com for Marc Ecko Enterprises

Web site: http://www.marceckoenterprises.com/ http://pages.liveauctions.ebay.com/catalogs/catalog17573.html http://www.apple.com/ http://www.fashiontargetsbreastcancer.com/ http://www.cfda.com/

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