Following on the heels of New York Fashion Week, THE TRAIN™’s 10th edition, which will take place February 21 to 23, 2009 at Terminal Stores, will have a new format. THE TRAIN will introduce a new high-end accessories section, called THE BOX, based on the successful show THE BOX Paris held during Paris Fashion Week. In addition, PLATFORM 2, which featured contemporary collections, now will be rolled into THE TRAIN.

Organized by FFPAPF – the leading European fashion force and owner of PRET A PORTER PARIS®, ATMOSPHERE® and THE BOX – the new format will raise awareness of THE BOX brand in the American market, help better focus THE TRAIN brand, and provide an easy to navigate layout for visitors.

Despite international news of a recession, THE TRAIN has already booked more square footage than at the same last year, and expects to present 130 collections, including 40 accessories brands. In addition, THE TRAIN and SHOWROOM SEVEN, one of the leading fashion showrooms which is permanently located in Terminal Stores, will expand their current collaboration.

“We are delighted to be introducing THE BOX NEW YORK at THE TRAIN,” said Mr. Jean-Pierre Mocho, Chairman, Prêt à Porter Paris. “THE BOX is known among European and American industry leaders as the place for highend accessories. We are bringing that brand, which has a complementary image with THE TRAIN, across the pond to the U.S. In addition, we are of course pleased with early sales, which can be attributed to the strength of THE TRAIN and also indicate that the European brands consider a stronger dollar as a good sign, allowing them to be more attractive to the U.S. market.”

Global Fashion at The Train and New High-End Accessories

The iconic French brand CACHAREL will join THE TRAIN for the first time next season. And among the strong collections returning to the show in February is ANAESSIA (Australia), EDWARD ACHOUR (France), LIE SONG BONG (South Korea), MARIE SAINT PIERRE (Canada), NIU (Italy), RUNDHOLZ BLACK LABEL (Germany), Yoshi Kondo (France), and many more.

The debut of THE BOX will feature CLEO & CAT (USA), DOMAKAYA (UK), GREVI (Italy), LONA GUTKNECHT (USA), PHILIPPE AUDIBERT (France), RANSOM + SCOUT (USA), SAMIA KAMAR (UK), SHEILA ELAINE (USA), TINTAMAR (France), TOOKATA PEOPLE (USA), WENDY STEVENS (USA), among others.

As a stage for creativity and quality, THE TRAIN’s stringent selection committee carefully selects the collections presented at the show. Located in Manhattan’s newest art and fashion district, THE TRAIN has paved the way for several fashion companies, including Showroom Seven, to open permanent locations alongside art galleries in Terminal Stores. The former train station and warehouse, featuring exposed brick walks and industrial steel beams, spans a full city block and allows for a single-file booth layout, which is easy to navigate. For more information please visit the www.thetrainnewyork.com.

LA FEDERATION FRANCAISE DU PRET A PORTER FEMININ (FFPAPF)

La FFPAPF is a leading fashion force in Europe. Led by its Chairman, Jean-Pierre Mocho, its initiatives include assisting its members by supporting designers and manufacturers, assisting designers with export development; developing international fashion shows; and training through its fashion school MOD'SPE. The FFPAPF is the only European professional association that owns and develops international fashion shows. In France, the association manages several shows held twice a year, including the world's premier fashion event PRET A PORTER PARIS®, held in February and September at Porte de Versailles; as well as ATMOSPHERE and THE BOX, held in March and October during Fashion Week, Tuileries Garden. In September 2004, FFPAPF launched THE TRAIN, and in September 2005, its LIVING ROOM event debuted as part of the ROOMS show in Tokyo, organized by the Japanese company HP France. Visit www.pretparis.com for information.