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Tags: Fashion Travel / New York / American Express / → All Tags

Flash Your AMEX for New York Fashion Week

Think having an American Express Gold, Platinum or Centurion card is only good for large spending limits and getting you into first class airport lounges? Think again; it'll go so far as getting you behind the scenes and at the runway during next month's New York Fashion Week.

The past few Fashion Weeks have flirted with the concept of letting the curious buy their way into the shows, but maintained the industry mystique by keeping the cardholders hidden away behind darkened glass in the "AMEX Skybox." This year, however, the economy is showing designers that these eager fashion fiends are worth their weight in gold. Already, Diane von Furstenberg has announced that she will stage a second entire show for the benefit of AMEX paid guests, which will include the added bonus of a discussion between the designer and Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley,

Packages for shows, occasional backstage glimpses, and entrance to the AMEX lounge cost $150, which is reasonable considering what some starry-eyed girls do to get regular access. New York Fashion Week runs from February 13-20, a time when the city lights up at night with exclusive parties and boutique openings. It's an ideal time to visit the Big Apple if you don't mind high hotel rates and brunching next to Japanese trendspotters. Get the coveted show tickets, however, before they go out of style.

Related Stories:
· Diane von Furstenberg to Stage VIP Show for American Express [WSJ]
· Fashion Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: FabSugar/Getty]

Tags: Green Travel / Travel Media / World Savers Congress / Condé Nast Traveler / → All Tags

This Travel Magazine Wants to Save the World

Yesterday we woke up early to check out Conde Nast Traveler's World Savers Congress 2007 in New York. The confab gave the travel trade the chance to talk about environmental and corporate responsibility issues. It gave us the chance to enjoy a swanky breakfast at Gotham Hall.

CN Traveler's editor in chief, Klara Glowczewska, kicked things off, talking about green travel and social responsibility. (The pre-taped message from Bill Clinton was a nice touch.) What stood out was her question as to how the travel industry could talk about these things without pandering. The question was left open-ended as Former US Ambassador Richard Holbrooke then took the stage to talk about his anti-AIDS efforts.

Holbrooke made some good points about how AIDS in India, the Ukraine, Africa and even the United States can impact tourism. He was a great speaker. The next guy up, Bill Drayton, had a tough time following his act.

Marcia Gay Harden, who played Billie McCandless in Into the Wild, put some life back into the crowd while introducing the World Savers Awards: nods to companies that are saving the planet. John Paul Dejoria, CEO of Paul Mitchell, was also there and was a total blast from the past.

We never did end up hearing how the travel industry could go green without pandering. (The constant mentions of how selling "green" travel improves the bottom line didn't convince us that the industry has wholly altruistic motives.) And in a way, the whole event was sort of self-congratulatory. But when it comes to keeping the planet in good shape, perhaps we shouldn't be so cynical.

Related Stories:
· The Age of Virtuous Travel [Concierge.com]
· Green Travel coverage [Jaunted]