Mercedes-Benz is setting the stage for the hottest fashion week Miami has ever seen. Stepping into its new role as title sponsor, Mercedes-Benz is launching a dynamic microsite (www.mbusa.com/miamiswim) with exclusive content dedicated to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim and featuring supermodel Tyson Beckford. Among Beckford's assigments in Miami is getting a behind-the-scenes look at the debut of the 2008 Badgley Mischka Swimwear collection from Mark Badgley and James Mischka, who have been selected as this season's "Mercedes-Benz Presents" designers.

"Mercedes-Benz Presents" recognizes designers that share common attributes with Mercedes-Benz including pace-setting style, the highest quality and meticulous attention to detail. Badgley Mischka's entrance into swimwear with their premier 2008 collection will take place in the Beachway runway at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim on Wednesday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m. Mercedes-Benz and Badgley Mischka have joined forces before: in 2003 Mercedes- Benz presented Badgley Mischka's Fall 2004 Collection in New York. Fellow designers to have previously received this recognition (at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios/Los Angeles, and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York) include Miguel Androver, Peter Som, Kevan Hall, Monique Lhuillier and Anthony Franco.


In addition to interviewing Mark Badgley and James Mischka and seeing first hand how the designers will unveil their swimwear collection, Tyson Beckford will also host "So Damn Hot" for the microsite. This mini-film tours the chichest spots in South Beach with the all new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which arrives in showrooms on August 7 and is the featured vehicle on the microsite.


For more information about Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim at the Raleigh and for a schedule of shows and events, visit www.mbfashionweek.com/miami.