Samsung Mobile and Internationally Recognized Designer Alexander Wang Partner for Industry's First Crowd-Sourced Design Process to Benefit Art Start Charity

NEW YORK, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, and New York-based designer Alexander Wang announced today a collaboration to create the industry's first co-created print inspired by crowd-sourced sketches and images using the GALAXY Note II. The print will appear on a limited-edition bag that will be sold in key markets around the world to raise funds for Art Start, an award-winning, nationally-recognized charity that uses the arts to nurture the creative talents of at-risk children and youth. 

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130131/NY52282-a )
(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130131/NY52282-b )

Leveraging the GALAXY Note II's inherent create-and-share benefit, Wang will engage a group of special friends, stylists, photographers, and others to create "doodles" – an image, pattern, or a photo – on their GALAXY Note II device. Gathering from active idea-capturing and immediate-sharing, the celebrated New York designer will then curate these sketches into one collectively-inspired final print. 

"I am most inspired from my everyday life and the people that surround me, so the idea of a co-creation with the people that I admire and respect the most is very exciting," said Alexander Wang. "This collaboration represents a new way that technology and style can come together. And, through a concerted effort, I am happy to be a part of supporting such a great charity as Art Start that embraces creativity and art in a way that can change lives."

Wang quickly joined the fashion elite after winning the coveted CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund in 2008. He is recognized for his global fashion sensibility that exudes a sense of irony and ease. Wang's knack for pushing boundaries and delightfully surprising his consumers made him the perfect partner for Samsung's most cutting-edge technology.

"Wang's passion for experimentation, his playful sensibility and his on-the-go lifestyle are the traits that we seek to empower with the Samsung GALAXY Note II," said Younghee Lee, Executive Vice President of Samsung Mobile. "Technology is becoming more deeply linked with the creative processes of fashion designers, and Samsung products are empowering users with the freedom to be creative and productive without limits. As technology and fashion converge, we will continue to create products that inspire passion through innovation."

The multi-tasking GALAXY Note II, with a perfect viewing experience and unique and differentiated features, allows users to discover information and capture their ideas faster, express thoughts freely and manage tasks more efficiently. It is the ultimate smartphone for creative, expressive and unique individuals. Consumers can easily use the phone's simple expression tools to personalize messages with the S Pen, share calendars and contacts, write information while on a call, or share links to maps, YouTube videos and apps, making it ideal for those constantly on the move. Thanks to the GALAXY Note II's 5.5" HD Super AMOLED screen, they will also be able to see crystal clear images on a larger screen.

Art Start is a New York City-based non-profit organization that uses the arts to save lives and to transform communities. Focusing on at-risk children and youth between the ages of 5 – 21, Art Start's creative arts workshops seek to nurture the creativity and talents of their youth participants, while instilling the confidence to pursue meaningful opportunities in life.

"As we have found over the past 21 years, art is the starting point of a process; the medium through which change takes place," said Johanna De Los Santos, Executive Director at Art Start. "By partnering with Alexander Wang and Samsung mobile, we'll be providing our youth with exceptional opportunities that are typically not available. By inspiring and enabling our participants with technology, industry mentorships and direction, we'll demonstrate how creativity begets success and happiness." 

In addition to partnering with Wang, Samsung mobile is also an official sponsor of New York Fashion Week. Samsung mobile will host an exclusive VIP lounge that will engage and inspire the fashion elite with the power of the Samsung GALAXY products. Art Start students will also get a backstage look at this iconic NYC event through on-site visits and mentorship opportunities. Media can also take advantage of the media tents with working stations and high-speed internet, as well as courtesy battery replacements during the show. Follow the action at Fashion Week via the #GalaxyNoteFW hashtag. For more information, please visit www.samsungmobilepress.com.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in consumer electronics and the core components that go into them. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 227,000 people across 75 countries with annual sales exceeding US$143 billion. Our goal is opening new possibilities for people everywhere. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Alexander Wang
San-Francisco born Wang launched his eponymous label with a full women's ready-to-wear line in Spring 2007. He was the recipient of the Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund in 2008, and in 2009, was recognized by his peers by winning the Swarovski Womenswear Designer of the Year and the Swiss Textiles Award. In 2009, Wang also launched the T by Alexander Wang women's and Footwear line, followed by the Men's T by Alexander Wang a year later. The brand's ready-to-wear line for men was launched in 2011 and Wang was acknowledged by GQ as Best Menswear Designer of the Year and by the CFDA for Best Accessory Designer that same year.

In addition to its flagship store in SoHo, New York, there are over 15 Alexander Wang stores worldwide, with Men's and Women's categories offering ready-to-wear, T by Alexander Wang, Accessories (such as handbags, footwear and small leather goods) and the OBJECTS collection. His collections may be viewed at www.alexanderwang.com

About Art Start
Founded in 1991, Art Start is an award-winning, nationally recognized model for using the creative arts to transform young, at-risk lives. Through Art Start's daily creative arts workshops taking place inside some of the city's loneliest places, at-risk youth living in New York City collaborate with local teaching artists and educators who donate their time and guidance to nurture the youth's creativity and talents. To date, Art Start has given over 11,000 young people the chance to find their voices in a nurturing, supportive, and safe environment. Visit www.art-start.org to learn more about the organization.

SOURCE Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.