Bloomingdale’s, Mat Kearney and John Varvatos Partner for VH1 Save The Music
July 24, 2007 New York, NY - Bloomingdale’s, Columbia Records Recording Artist Mat Kearney and celebrated menswear designer John Varvatos, team up to raise funds and awareness for the VH1 Save The Music Foundation. The partnership is in tandem with Bloomingdale’s Artrageous fashion campaign, which will celebrate and showcase the creativity and self-expression of fashion and art, and their evolution together.
In honor of the collaboration John Varvatos has designed a limited edition tie, exclusive to Bloomingdale’s that will be available at all stores nationwide for $98.00 with 100% of the tie’s proceeds going directly to VH1 Save The Music. The John Varvatos tie, worn by Mat Kearny in the Bloomingdale’s Best of Mens catalog, is part of an 8-page insert featuring John Varvatos fall fashion. The narrow tie is black and maroon with John Varvatos’ signature hand peace gesture that can be found on many of his John Varvatos «USA designs.
“There is a synergy between fashion and music, which continues to be an important part of events at Bloomingdale’s nationwide. John Varvatos and Columbia Records help deliver that synergy through unique customers experiences,” said Anne Keating, Bloomingdale’s Senior Vice President of Public Relations, Special Events and Corporate Philanthropy.
In celebration of the partnership an exhibition and silent auction of the iconic John Varvatos advertising campaign photographs as well as musical instruments autographed by the campaign musicians, will travel to Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, San Francisco, South Coast Plaza, and the soon to open Chevy Chase, Maryland store.
The John Varvatos music ad campaign began six seasons ago and features rock legends including Ryan Adams, Joe Perry, Chris Cornell, Iggy Pop, Velvet Revolver, and Alice Cooper. The prints in the traveling retrospective are appearing together for the first time and will be signed by the Grammy nominated photographer Danny Clinch and the pictured musician. In addition, to celebrate the exhibition there will be events at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, San Francisco, and South Coast Plaza stores.
“John Varvatos is a rare talent, a wonderful business partner, and a true friend of the Bloomingdale's team. We are delighted and honored to collaborate with John and VH1 on this project, especially since all of us share a passion for, and understand the natural fusion of fashion and music. VH1's Save the Music is a noble cause, and we are proud to be a part of its success,” said David Fisher, Bloomingdale’s Executive Vice President and GMM of Men’s and Young World.
John Varvatos commented “I am excited to work with such a great partner as Bloomingdale’s to support VH1 Save the Music Foundation, which has an important place in my heart and my passion for music”
About the VH1 Save The Music Foundation
Since 1997, the VH1 Save The Music Foundation has successfully restored and sustained instrumental music programs in 1,400 public schools in 80 communities across the country, including Memphis, Houston, Chicago, New York, Denver, Baltimore and Milwaukee. Over the past ten years, various artists and celebrities have shown their devotion to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation by partnering with the organization as they’ve reached out to struggling school districts across the country. Celebrities including Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Sting, Billy Joel, Kiefer Sutherland, John Legend, Rob Thomas, Alicia Keys, and Jewel have donated their time and efforts to the organization in attempts to raise awareness about the importance of music in a child’s education.
To date, The Foundation has provided more than $34 million in new musical instruments, affecting the lives of more than 800,000 children. For more information on the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, please visit http://www.vh1.com/partners/save_the_music/
About John Varvatos
Launched in 2000, John Varvatos lifestyle collection is comprised of John Varvatos Collection, John Varvatos « USA, Converse by John Varvatos - clothes for guys and girls, John Varvatos Eyewear, and John Varvatos SKIN and Fragrance. Varvatos has been recognized three times by the CFDA with an American Fashion Award for New Menswear Designer (June 2000) and Menswear Designer of the Year (June 2001 and June 2005). The collection is distributed in five freestanding John Varvatos boutiques in the US, as well as in better specialty stores throughout the world.
About Mat Kearney
Raised in Eugene, Oregon, Mat Kearney went to college in California, where he studied English literature. While on spring break, Mat traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, where he began writing his own emotionally complex songs and album. Kearney's sound incorporates wide-ranging influences that paint his songs with strength and passion fusing poetic hymns with melodic choruses and acoustic folk/pop. Currently invited to be direct support for this summer's Kelly Clarkson tour, Kearney most recently finished headlining VH1’s “You Oughta Know” Tour and opening for his Columbia Records label mate John Mayer. Mat’s major label debut, Nothing Left To Lose is online and in stores now.
About Bloomingdale’s
Bloomingdale’s is America’s only nationwide, full-line, upscale department store; and a division of Macy’s, Inc. It was founded in 1872 and currently operates 39 stores in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Illinois, Minnesota, Georgia, Florida, Nevada and California; and will open its 40th store in Chevy Chase, Maryland later this year. For more information, or to shop any time, visit www.bloomingdales.com.
Contacts:
David Ender/Elizabeth Quarta Bloomingdale’s
212.705.3666/212.705.2439
david.ender@bloomingdales.com
elizabeth.quarta@bloomingdales.com
Elizabeth Rosenthal/Susan Blond
VH1 Save The Music
212.333.7728
erosenthal@susanblondinc.com
Dace Morris
John Varvatos
212.812.8050
dace_morris@vfc.com
