Miami Fashion Week of the Americas: the HOttest Designs and Coolest Trends from Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia

South Beach has never been hotter! A legendary tropical paradise. A sizzling celebrity magnet. Bursting with creative energy. And that makes it the absolutely perfect venue for hosting the 6th annual Miami Fashion Week of the Americas (FWA). This world famous international event—the single largest Latin American fashion showcase in the United States —plays host to 30 presenting designers from 15 countries and hundreds of international media outlets.

Once again, Miami Beach welcomes designers from Latin America , the Caribbean , Europe and Asia who will participate in FWA 2005. They'll present their newest collections in Designer Showcases featuring several designers presenting in a group show. The event takes place May 11– 15 at the Roney Palace Resort, 2399 Collins Avenue and promises to be spectacular.

The outstanding designers slated to participate in FWA's 7th anniversary celebration are all recognized international fashion innovators whose mere presence creates an exhilarating atmosphere attracting celebrities, actors, entertainers, models, VIPs and trendsetters alike. The list is truly impressive— including Brazil's Marcelo Quadros , the recipient of the FWA 2004 New Star in Fashion award, Costa Rica's Sonia Chang, Peru's Fatima Arrieta, Argentina's Marcelo Senra, Mexico's Pineda Covalin, Panama's Melina Typaldos, India's Robit Bal and Bolivia's Rosita Hurtado (recipient of the 2003 Best in Eveningwear award), to name a few. Francesco Martini Coveri , will accept the 2004 Designer of the Year award on behalf of Italy 's famed Enrico Coveri maison.

FWA plans include accommodations for seating 500 guests plus international media representatives. They'll enjoy the many predictably high traffic venues including the Fashion Lounge, the Roney Fashion Café, the Moda Beach Bar, the Designers' Fashion Gallery & Trends Display, the Designer Furniture Display, the Terra Press Center & Internet Lounge, the FWA Moda & Music Awards, a video lounge and a host of elements yet to be announced.

Also of major interest are the Student Designer Showcases featuring designs by the talented students of Miami International University of Art & Design and the Design and Architecture Senior High School (DASH) of Miami . A Trends Display will spotlight news-making jewelry and accessories designers and a Designer Furniture Exhibit will showcase some of the newest styles available. And a still-form mannequin exhibition representing each designer participating in FWA will be on display in the Designers' Fashion Gallery.

FWA's special invited guests include leading American men's and women's wear and accessories buyers and buying offices representing some of the best specialty and department stores in the country. Designed exclusively for designers, a panel comprised of buyers, designer representatives, marketing professionals and international trade law attorneys will address the myriad requirements essential for conducting business in the United States . The designers will also participate in trend and color seminars for 2005-2006 presented by Cotton, Inc. from New York City and The Mix Global Color Research from London , England .

Fabulous concerts, exciting nightclub parties and other exceptional events will help celebrate each night during Miami Fashion Week of the Americas . E! Entertainment Latin America will produce a prime-time one-hour FWA television special for their “Behind The Scenes” show broadcast in 24 countries.

The closing nights FWA Moda & Music Awards presentation brings this unique weeklong event to a spirited close. Awards will be presented in a wide variety of categories including the New Star in Fashion, Prêt-A-Porter Style, Terra New Model of the Year and Excellence in Eveningwear among others. Additional awards celebrating musical excellence will be given to various artists performing at FWA events.

Terra Networks, FWA's Official Spanish Language Internet Partner, will constantly update event-related information via its FWA mini-site on its “Mujer” channel ( http://www.terra.com/mujer/especiales/fwa2004/ .)

Additional event sponsors include Samy Salon, Vogue en Español, Lincoln Road Magazine, Nikki Style Magazine, Collezioni Magazine, Miami Beach VCA, Tropicool Miami TDC, Terra Networks USA, LiquidSquare, the Roney Palace Resort, Cotton, Inc., The Mix Global Color Research and M·A·C Cosmetics.

Known for its high-quality products and expertise, M·A·C (Make-up Art Cosmetics) will provide artists from the M·A·C PRO Team, led by Senior Artist Judy Irizarry, who will work with designers to create and effect models' looks during FWA. Part of The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc., M·A·C supports over 100 designers including Zac Posen and Oscar de la Renta each season in New York, London, Milan and Paris.

Beth Sobol, of Sobol Fashion Productions, Inc., founded Fashion Week of the Americas in 1999 to provide a forum offering international exposure specifically for designers from Latin America and the Caribbean . Over the past six years, it has developed into one of the world's premier fashion events including designers from Europe , Canada and Asia as well as the largest showcase of Latin American and Caribbean design talent in the United States .

Tickets for individual shows are $20, with tickets for the FWA Moda & Music Show priced at $75. All events will take place May 13-16, 2005 at the Roney Palace Resort, 2399 Collins Avenue , Miami Beach . Valet parking will be available at the 24 th Street entrance. For advance ticket sales, schedules and further information, please visit www.MiamiFashionWeek.com . For further information, please call (305) 662-0775. If available, tickets will also be sold at the door.