FAO SCHWARZ PARTNERS WITH PARSONS TO SHOWCASE THE FUTURE OF FASHION

Legendary Toy Store Hosts Runway Show of Parsons Childrenswear Collections Presented by Parsons Honorary Fashion Design Chair Tim Gunn

NEW YORK CITY—On May 15, 2007, Parsons The New School for Design debuted childrenswear collections by graduating students in its fashion design program at a special runway presentation at FAO Schwarz, America's oldest and most prestigious toy store. Parsons' Honorary Chair of Fashion Design Tim Gunn hosted the event, Parsons' first fashion show devoted exclusively to childrenswear collections.

The collections showcased in the "Celebration of Children's Fashion" were created by seven senior-year students in the BFA Fashion Design program at Parsons: Elizabeth C. Baldassari, 22, of Milwaukee, WI; Michelle Song Li Han, 23, of Seoul, Korea; Sung eun Kim, 24, of Seoul, Korea; Hye Jeong Min, 23, of Seoul, Korea; Wonnie Park, 24, of Seoul, Korea; Francine Debra Seibald, 23, of Curacao, Netherlands Antilles; and Katie Tague, 21, of New Lenox, IL.

At the event, Tague, whose collection was inspired by the flurry of activity that surrounds the train stations around the world, was named Parsons' Childrenswear Designer of the Year. Tague won first place in the 2005 National CITDA competition, a textile design competition, and was one of the winners for the Uniqlo design competition in fall 2005.

"Childrenswear is a rapidly growing category in fashion, and Parsons students are leading the way with innovative solutions to market demands," said Tim Marshall, dean of Parsons. "What better partner than FAO Schwarz, one of the leading toy stores in the world, to debut the work of our graduating childrenswear designers."

The whimsical and innovative work by these seven students represents the culmination of four years of intensive study at Parsons. The yearlong senior thesis process encourages innovation and experimentation, beginning with the submission of sketches, development of muslin prototypes, and months of intensive construction, fittings, and assessment. It culminates with student presentations to panels of distinguished designers, editors, fashion directors, and other industry leaders. "At Parsons, students confront the challenges of the real world of the fashion industry while cultivating their own personal vision," said Gunn. "The senior thesis collections represent the ultimate realization of their personal design philosophies."

About FAO Schwarz

FAO Schwarz, a multi-channel specialty toy retailer, has been enchanting children and adults alike since 1862. Remaining true to the vision of founder Frederick August Otto Schwarz, FAO Schwarz is still focused on bringing quality, creativity, trust and joy to every customer's shopping experience whether it is in one of the flagship stores on New York's Fifth Avenue and Las Vegas or through FAO.com or the twice yearly catalog. In New York, FAO Schwarz is located at 767 Fifth Avenue, at 58th Street, 212-644-9400. The FAO Schwarz store in Las Vegas is located at The Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace, 702-796-6500. Customers can also shop online at www.fao.com or place orders toll-free by calling 800-426-8697.

About Parsons The New School for Design

Located in the heart of New York City, Parsons The New School for Design is one of the largest and most prestigious degree-granting colleges of art and design in the nation, with approximately 3,500 students in degree programs, and 2,500 non-degree students from all 50 states and approximately 60 countries. With the launch of the first fashion design program in America in 1906, Parsons gave birth to Seventh Avenue, the epicenter of the industry. Parsons graduates together form a who's who list in fashion, from legendary designers Adrian, Claire McCardell, and Norman Norell, to industry leaders Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Isaac Mizrahi, Narciso Rodriguez, and Yeohlee Teng; to rising talents Doo.Ri, Derek Lam, Proenza Schouler, Behnaz Sarafpour, and Peter Som; and emerging designers Vena Cava and Ashleigh Verrier. For more information, please visit www.parsons.newschool.edu.