W Hotels Worldwide Unveils Exclusive Global Glam Fall 2011 Collection Curated by Global Fashion Director Amanda Ross

W Hotels Worldwide today premieres the fourth season of its exclusive Global Glam fashion collection, curated by W Hotels Global Fashion Director Amanda Ross. The presentation of the latest collection of Global Glam will take place in The Box venue during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center, the W brand’s second time to show the line during the New York Collections. A fashionable interpretation of W Hotels’ continued global growth, Global Glam features an exclusive line of fashion and accessories inspired by the unique design personalities of W Hotels around the world.

For the Fall 2011 Global Glam Collection, Ross curated fifteen designers to create original pieces reflecting the design aesthetic of three W Hotels: W Taipei (opening February 14, 2011), W Austin (opened in December 2010), and W Mexico City (undergoing renovation). The new season of Global Glam includes designs by: Eugenia Kim, Mara Hoffman, Twinkle by Wenlan, Clare Vivier, Deepa Gurnani, Noir, Paola Hernandez, I-Luck, Myne, Posse, Shaesby, Sibilia, Catherine Nicole, Yarnz, and Contego Eyewear.

"As a design-led, contemporary lifestyle brand, W Hotels has embraced fashion as an intrinsic extension and ever-changing expression of design,” said Eva Ziegler, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide and Le Méridien. "Global Glam uses fashion to communicate the design of our new or iconic hotels, while also showcasing rising design stars to a fashionable jet-set audience in W Hotels worldwide.”

W Taipei Collection: "Nature Electrified” The design of W Taipei fuses the rural surroundings of the city with its urban core. Natural elements complement digital accents to form a "neon current” that flows through the hotel and the W Taipei Collection. Standout pieces include a bold fuchsia kimono style silk dress and a flirty zip-front lace cutout dress in a deep eggplant, both from Twinkle by Wenlan, a ruby red jeweled statement necklace by Noir, and a rich red, gunmetal embellished clutch by Deepa Gurnani.

W Austin Collection: "Remix and Amplify” Inspired by the city’s unofficial motto – "Keep Austin Weird” – W Austin has an eclectic, bohemian sensibility, punctuated by an aesthetic that speaks to the city’s celebration of its diverse culture. The W Austin Collection reflects this free-spirited vibe in vintage-inspired pieces like Eugenia Kim’s honey brown floppy hat with pheasant feather accent and a flowing multicolored maxi dress by Myne. Muted shades of dusty rose, burgundy and blue are anchored by browns and creams throughout the line, reflecting Austin’s mesmerizing natural landscape with the city’s inherent mix of complimentary contrasts. The result is a mixing of prints and textures in a leather and turquoise cuff by Shaesby and a reversible belt with striking ikat pattern by Catherine Nicole.

W Mexico City Collection: "Masquerade” From the colorful costumes of the Lucha Libre to the ornate masks worn in traditional local festivals like Dia De Los Muertos, W Mexico City is inspired by the lively culture of this dynamic destination. The concepts of disguise and discovery serve as design motifs for the hotel’s renovation. This sultry mix of mystery and surprise is reflected in the W Mexico City Collection, with a black wool cape by Paola Hernandez and Mara Hoffman’s slinky purple bustier dress, while a mixed metal pendant necklace by Sibilia (inspired by a Mexican afghan) and a suede wrap bracelet with turquoise Charm by I-Luck celebrate the more traditional aspects of the city’s vibrant culture.

Tonight’s Global Glam presentation in The Box venue at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will feature models on three vignettes, which have been designed as artistic, abstract interpretations of each hotel’s design personality. W Austin’s "Remix and Amplify” design theme will be brought to life through moving "sound bars” in bright magenta and orange LED lighting, while W Taipei’s "Nature Electrified” design concept will feature metal leaves and branches drenched in dramatic green and magenta lighting. The final vignette, inspired by W Mexico City’s "Masquerade” design, will be interpreted through magenta and blue illuminated rods made to resemble a criss-cross fabric pattern. There will be oversized screens suspended from the ceiling in the center of the room displaying cutting edge video interpretations of the new collection.

W Hotels’ Global Music Director Michaelangelo L’Acqua will produce the soundtrack for the Global Glam presentation, and London-born Charlotte Voisey, the mixologist of W Austin, will create signature cocktails inspired by each destination. Following the presentation, W Hotels will celebrate its latest collection in the Box venue at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, featuring a special live performance by French group YELLE DJs.

The Global Glam Fall 2011 collection is priced from $30 to $400 and will be available exclusively at W Hotels The Store boutiques and online at www.WHotelsTheStore.com beginning this August as well as showcased through special trunk shows at W Hotels globally.

About W Hotels Worldwide

W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 38 hotels and retreats in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand's sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts and signature spas. With more than 12 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach more than 50 hotels by the end of 2012. W Hotels and W Retreats have been announced for London, Paris, St. Petersburg, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Taipei, Bali, Bangkok, Athens – Astir Palace, and Verbier, among other international destinations. For more information, visit www.whotels.com.