IMG Announces Partnership With Aruba Tourism Authority and Aruba Fashion Group

NEW YORK, NY–(Marketwire – September 15, 2010) –  IMG Fashion and the Aruba Tourism Authority, along with its partner the Aruba Fashion Group, announced today a three year partnership for IMG to consult on the creation and execution of Aruba in Style — a yearly fashion, entertainment and lifestyle event to take place on the island of Aruba beginning in the Fall of 2011.

“Aruba already offers some of the best designer retail offerings in the Caribbean, and we feel strongly that this new partnership with IMG and the launch of the Aruba in Style event will help to elevate the island’s reputation as a mecca for fashion and style,” said Mr. Otmar Oduber, Aruba’s Minister of Tourism, Transportation and Labor Affairs. “One of our top goals in increasing tourism to Aruba is to bring more high-profile events to the island, such as Aruba in Style, which will generate increased awareness of Aruba as a chic and sophisticated vacation destination.”

Aruba in Style will be a mix of fashion shows, parties, presentations and shopping at one of the Caribbean’s most exciting destinations. Taking place in various locations around the island, the event will bring together designers, celebrities, models, fashionable consumers and the media to experience in-season resort, ready to wear and bridal collections in distinct, intimate parties as well as over the top extravaganzas. Activities will include unique in store shopping experiences, open to the public events and exclusive invitation-only soirees.

Aruba hosts one of the region’s best retail mixes along with unique destination hotels and resorts and, of course, some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Its unique topography, fantastic restaurants and friendly, diverse population add to its charm and sophistication.

“On behalf of Aruba Fashion Group we are excited to be working together with IMG and our principal sponsor, the Government of Aruba and the Aruba Tourism Authority,” said Damilice Mansur, Principal of the Aruba Fashion Group along with Ronchi de Cuba and Evelin Weaver. “We are sure we will build, with these partners, what will become the most fashionable event in the region highlighting Aruba as the leading fashion and entertainment destination in the Caribbean.”

IMG, a leader in the management, production and creation of global fashion platforms, will bring its expertise in establishing an event’s global presence as well as industry and designer contacts to the event.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for us,” said Peter Levy, SVP and Managing Director, IMG Fashion Worldwide. “We have often looked towards this region as a place where a strong, global fashion event could take place and were lucky enough to find creative thinkers in the Aruba Tourism Authority and Aruba Fashion Group who shared our vision for something both sophisticated, cool, and distinctly Aruban.”

Details on the event, including participating designers, models and celebrities, will be announced in the coming year.