"Italy at South Coast Plaza".

Unique Italian Fashion and Film Exhibitions Make U.S. Debut as Part of 25-Day Public Exposition

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- South Coast Plaza celebrates "Italy at South Coast Plaza," in partnership with the Italian Trade Commission (ICE), with a 25-day public exposition, free and open to the public, from October 4 through October 29, 2007.

As part of the exposition, exhibitions imported directly from Italy highlighting fashion, costume design, textiles, culture and art, will be on display throughout the shopping center. Two of the exhibitions, entitled "FASHIONSET" and "Playing With Textiles," will make their US debuts. Other exhibitions that will be on display include "Shoes for the Stars," "Moda & Cinema" and an Italian automobile display including vehicles from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Vespa Newport Beach.

"The authentic display of Italian culture, art, fashion and food that 'Italy at South Coast Plaza' creates is essential in aiding our efforts, in conjunction with those of the Italian Trade Commission-ICE, to promote the value and visibility of Italian goods in the U.S. market," states Milos Budin, Deputy Secretary of State for the Ministry of International Trade.

FASHIONSET - Annamode: Sixty years of Costume Design in Film - The "FASHIONSET" exhibition is a journey into the world of costume design in international cinema from 1900 to 1960. FASHIONSET, curated by Daap features costumes created by the Annamode Atelier in Rome for a distinguished group of costume designers, many still working in the field today. Costumes worn by Claudia Cardinale (Il Bell'Antonio); Liza Minnelli and Ingrid Bergman (A Matter of Time); Scarlett Johansson and Helen Hunt (A Good Woman) and Sophia Loren (Marriage, Italian Style) are showcased in this glamorous exhibition. This display will make its U.S. debut at Italy at South Coast Plaza. Located in the Crate and Barrel/Macy's Home Store Wing, Level 2.

Shoes For The Stars - The "Shoes for the Stars" exhibition presents the creations of Italian footwear masters for films spanning the last twenty years. The Italian Trade Commission (ICE), by agreement with the Italian Shoe Manufacturers Association (ANCI), celebrates the ingenuity of Italian footwear masters and their ability to take on diverse requests from costume designers within the world of film. Beginning with the iconic film La Dolce Vita, we are invited to see the expression of Italian lifestyle in cinema and the unique role shoes have played both on and off the set. Located in the Carousel Court, Level 2.

"Italians are rightly considered masters in this field. The shoe manufacturers of Vigevano, Riviera del Brenta, and The Marches are known throughout the world," states Ambassador Umberto Vattani, President of the Italian Trade Commission (ICE). "The film industry relies on Italian masters to create original and quality footwear, in modern or vintage styles. In return the big screen lends these superior shoemakers a fame that would have been impossible during previous eras."

"It will be fascinating to see how this collection, which was already an extraordinary success in Istanbul last June, is received in California, as Italian footwear knows no borders," added Ambassador Vattani.

Playing With Textiles - In an effort to showcase Italian textiles in a unique and unconventional way, talented students and professional artists of the Brera Academy of Fine Arts in Milan created "Playing with Textiles." The exhibition showcases Italy's excellence in textiles by combining the finest fabrics with imagination and inspiration to produce masterpieces of art. This display will make its U.S. debut at Italy at South Coast Plaza. Located in the Carousel Court, Level 2.

"We are celebrating the evolution of Italian contemporary art through textiles and the outstanding craftsmanship of the Italian footwear masters with these remarkable displays," states Massimo Mamberti, Director General of the Italian Trade Commission (ICE). "From the exceptional talent of the Brera Academy students using the finest Italian fabrics, to the world of cinema partnering with Italian artisans to create footwear for films, Italy at South Coast Plaza has brought together these great works for a spectacular display of art and imagination."

Moda & Cinema - The "Moda & Cinema" (Fashion and Film) photo exhibition consists of a series of images that illustrate the most significant moments of fashion in film, from the 1950s to today. The collection of images features costume designs from the archives of prestigious Italian fashion houses worn by renowned actors and actresses. Located in the Crate and Barrel/Macy's Home Store Wing, Level 1.

In addition to the exhibitions, a traditional infiorata, a stunning outdoor mosaic picture made of thousands of flower petals and organic materials will be on display from October 4-7. Debuting in Southern California and designed by a team of renowned Sicilian masters, the Italy at South Coast Plaza infiorata will be a 20 X 25 foot reproduction of the Italian masterpiece, Michelangelo's The Creation of Adam. Local community and arts organizations will participate in the preparation and installation of the infiorata. The infiorata will be located adjacent to Garden Terrace, Level 2.

Throughout Italy at South Coast Plaza, center retailers and restaurateurs will focus on fashion, food and other luxury goods from Italy and will host special events, Italian fashion previews and trunk shows. In addition, South Coast Plaza's fine Italian restaurants will offer menus and wines from various regions in Italy.

"To promote Italy as a brand, South Coast Plaza is a perfect venue," said Aniello Musella, Italian Trade Commissioner and Executive Director for USA, headquartered in New York. "South Coast Plaza houses more than 30 Italian designer boutiques, a myriad of other retailers, and four major department stores that carry 'Made-in-Italy' products. The promotion will create a true Italian experience, an example of the Italian lifestyle, whose complexity and richness will be demonstrated and experienced through the enchanting world of fashion and accessories, through the opulence of foods and wines, through the magic of iconic films, through the vision of photographical expressions, and through the music of internationally renowned operas," he added.

An Italian Piazza in Jewel Court

South Coast Plaza's Jewel Court will be transformed into an Italian piazza, featuring traditional product demonstrations by members of the Italian Artisans Association as well as exhibitions and events throughout the month. In the piazza, a short film A Dream of Italy at South Coast Plaza produced specifically for "Italy at South Coast Plaza" will be shown continuously.

Opening Day is October 4th

South Coast Plaza and the Italian Trade Commission will host a press preview on October 4 at 10:30 a.m. in Quattro Caffe, officially opening "Italy at South Coast Plaza." After the press preview, members of the media will enjoy a guided tour of the Italian exhibits, followed by a luncheon at Antonello Ristorante. Later that evening, VIP guests and Italian dignitaries will celebrate at a private gala including the inauguration of the "FASHIONSET" exhibition and a runway presentation exclusively featuring Italian fashions in South Coast Plaza's Garden Terrace.

About Italian Trade Commission-ICE

ICE, the Italian Institute for Foreign Trade, is the Italian government agency entrusted with the development, facilitation and promotion of trade between Italy and other countries in the world. Its mission is to support the internationalization of Italian firms and their consolidation in foreign markets. Through a network of 111 offices in 84 countries, of which 6 are located in the United States, ICE is the most authoritative ambassador of Made in Italy excellence in the world. For more information visit http://www.italtrade.com/

About South Coast Plaza

South Coast Plaza is The Ultimate Shopping Experience, recognized around the world for its collection of over 280 boutiques, seven department stores, award-winning restaurants, spas, and the adjacent world-renowned Orange County Performing Arts Center. South Coast Plaza is the highest grossing planned retail center in the United States, with annual sales of $1.5 billion. South Coast Plaza is located in Costa Mesa, Calif. San Diego Freeway (405) at Bristol Street or San Joaquin Corridor (73) at Bear Street. For more information, telephone [phone] or visit www.southcoastplaza.com