Super Bowl Champion New York Giants' Victor Cruz Kicks off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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Feb 08, 2012, 05:43 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Victor Cruz, of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, cut the ribbon to officially open Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center this afternoon. Cruz was joined by Stephanie Winston-Wolkoff, Director of Fashion at Lincoln Center, Peter Levy, SVP and Managing Director at IMG Fashion, Sports Illustrated model Kate Upton, Naeem Khan, this season's Mercedes-Benz Presents Designer, and Lisa Holladay, Manager of Brand Experience Marketing, Mercedes-Benz USA. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is owned and operated by IMG Worldwide.

"It's an honor to be here to help kick off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York," said Cruz. "It's been quite an incredible week for the City—our Super Bowl win, the great homecoming parade yesterday, and now the beginning of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. I'm very grateful to my fans that came out to support us yesterday and today and looking forward to checking out some shows this week."

"Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center is internationally recognized as the premier industry event to showcase cutting-edge fashion," said Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, Director, Fashion at Lincoln Center. "We're excited to open our doors and show the world all the innovative new designs that will hit the runways this season."

"IMG and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week continue to put the world's leading fashion designers and brands center stage in New York City the fashion capital of the world," said Peter Levy, SVP and Managing Director, IMG Fashion Worldwide. "It's great to have a huge star like Victor Cruz join us to launch the week and help us in welcoming all our guests. As New Yorkers we're tremendously proud of the Giants' Super Bowl victory and can't wait to see Victor sitting front row at some shows this week."

"I was incredibly honored to help Victor kick off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week today and celebrate his and his team's incredible success on Sunday," said Naeem Khan, this season's Mercedes-Benz Presents designer. "I'm very excited to present my collection this season and this is a great way to get it all underway."

"It's such an honor to be here at the opening of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week," said Kate Upton. "Fashion Week in New York is such an iconic event; it's great to be a part of it."

"Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is always exciting and having Victor here along with our Presents Designer Naeem Khan to get things underway is a special moment," said Lisa Holladay, Manager of Brand Experience Marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA. "The month of February is a ball of energy for the Big Apple and that continues as we kick off the fashion festivities at Lincoln Center and the start of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week."

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is New York's largest media event, welcoming designers, celebrities, industry experts, models and the world's fashion elite to Lincoln Center each September and February to see what's in store for the next fashion season. Designers featured this season include Nicholas K, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Kaelen, Richard Chai, Honor, Tadashi Shoji, Candela, Chadwick Bell, Joseph Abboud, PARKCHOONMOO, The Greenshows - Collection Previews, Concept Korea, General Idea, Rebecca Taylor, Brandon Sun, Rebecca Minkoff, Tommy Hilfiger Men's, Nicole Miller, Katya Leonovich, Charlotte Ronson, Academy of Art University, Popluxe, Ruffian, Lacoste, Porter Grey, Jill Stuart, Son Jung Wan, Mara Hoffman, Rafael Cennamo, Herve Leger by Max Azria, Vantan Tokyo, Tibi, Monique Lhuillier, L.A.M.B., Venexiana, Lorena Sarbu, Lela Rose, Derek Lam, DKNY, Tracy Reese, Joy Cioci, Custo Barcelona, Diane von Furstenberg, Falguni & Shane Peacock, Y-3, Carmen Marc Valvo, Mathieu Mirano, Timo Weiland, Jenny Packham, Negarin, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Zang Toi, Emilio Cavallini, Donna Karan New York, Reem Acra, Yeohlee, Bibhu Mohapatra, Betsey Johnson, Leather Japan 2012, Prete & Bruno, Norisol Ferrari, Tory Burch, J.Crew, Badgley Mischka, Vera Wang, Diesel Black Gold, Fotini, Naeem Khan, Dennis Basso, Pamella Roland, Haus Alkire, Narciso Rodriguez, EMERSON, Whitney Eve, Michael Kors, Rochambeau, Nanette Lepore, Ports 1961, Joanna Mastroianni, J. Mendel, Levi's, Suzanne Rae, Milly by Michelle Smith, Farah Angsana, Anna Sui, Nomia, Vivienne Tam, b michael America, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein Collection.

Photos and video footage from the ribbon cutting ceremony are available via the links below:

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=138611959 (photos)

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?EventId=138641193 (video)

Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined by DHL, American Express®, Maybelline New York, TRESemme, W Hotels Worldwide, Diet Pepsi, Fiber One® Bars, WGSN, ideeli and Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits as well as the following media outlets: The New York Times, Women's Wear Daily and Getty Images.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is an IMG event.

The Fall 2012 Collections will take place February 9-16, 2012.

Official schedule is available at newyork.mbfashionweek.com/schedule

For more information please visit us online at newyork.mbfashionweek.com

SOURCE IMG Fashion