Press Release
BURBANK, Calif., May 16,
2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) and Tonner
Doll Company, Inc. announced today a slate of prominent high-end fashion and
costume designers who have signed on to create one-of-a-kind looks, modeled on
Tonner's 22-inch dolls, for the Leading Ladies of The Wizard of Oz
program. In conjunction with the celebration of the 75th Anniversary
of the classic film, designers including Marc
Jacobs, Donna Karan Atelier, Herve Leger by
Max Azria and more will design glamorous costumes
inspired by Dorothy, Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West. The
haute couture dolls will make their debut during New York Fashion Week at the
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) on September 4, at which time they will be available for
bidding on eBay for a charity auction, with all proceeds contributing to the
"There's No Place Like Home" campaign benefiting Habitat for Humanity.
"Seventy-five years after The Wizard of Oz first captured the hearts
of audiences, WBCP and Tonner Doll are excited to
bring new life and a modern flare to the film's beloved characters," said Karen McTier, executive vice president, Domestic
Licensing and Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "And with the
help of an incredibly talented roster of prestigious fashion designers, the
Leading Ladies of The Wizard of Oz are going to transform the Yellow
Brick Road into an unforgettable runway."
Joining the creative endeavor to design one-of-a-kind doll looks inspired by
the Leading Ladies of The Wizard of Oz are fashion designers Reem Acra,
BCBGMAXAZRIA, Erickson Beamon, Chris Benz, Carlos Falchi,
Douglas Hannant, Marc
Jacobs, Betsey Johnson, Donna Karan Atelier,
Byron Lars, Herve
Leger by Max Azria, Jenny Packham, Charlotte
Ronson, Anna Sui, Trina Turk, Carmen Marc Valvo, Sue Wong, and costume
designers including Colleen Atwood, Ruth Myers, and Lyn Paolo, in partnership with actress
Kerry Washington.
"These creations are beyond expectation – inspired, visionary and absolutely
enchanting from head to toe," said Robert Tonner,
Tonner Doll Company CEO and acclaimed doll artist. "This is The Wizard of
Oz and its leading ladies in a way you've never seen them before. Each doll
is quite…bewitching, to say the least, and we are thrilled and honored to be a
part of both the anniversary celebration, and generating proceeds for such a
worthy cause."
Beginning September 4, the dolls will be on
display to the public at FIT and available for bidding by fans on eBay Giving
Works. The online charity auction, managed by Auction Cause, will continue until
September 14, with gross proceeds supporting Habitat
for Humanity's work to create decent, safe, and affordable housing in
partnership with low-income families. Visit www.WizardofOzDollAuction.com for charity auction details.
"Habitat for Humanity is so very grateful for the support of Tonner Doll
Company and all the designers contributing to this creative effort," said Lysa Ratliff, senior director of Corporate Programs for
Habitat for Humanity International. "This is a wonderful new element to our
partnership with Warner Bros., as we work together to advance Habitat's mission
to create simple, decent and affordable housing."
Beginning last year, Warner Bros. and Habitat for Humanity teamed up for the
"There's No Place Like Home" campaign, featuring themed initiatives and events
in celebration of the 75th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz.
The ongoing program, which brings the most memorable line from the classic
film to life, offers a dedicated website where consumers can support the
campaign, which can be found at www.TheWizardofOz.com/Habitat
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer
Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing
and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
About Tonner Doll Company, Inc.
Headquartered in Kingston, New York, Tonner Doll Company, Inc. develops
and markets high quality collectible Character Figures and Dolls like TWILIGHT,
Marilyn Monroe, Gone With The Wind, The Wizard of
Oz, DC Stars, and more, as well as fashion dolls such as Tyler Wentworth™,
Antoinette™, Deja vu™, and Cami & Jon™.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for
Humanity International's vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to
live. Anchored by the conviction that safe and affordable housing provides a
critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more
than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976.
Habitat also advocates for fair and just housing policies and provides training
and access to resources to help more families improve their shelter conditions.
As a nonprofit Christian housing organization, Habitat works in more than 70
countries and welcomes people of all races, religions and nationalities to
partner in its mission. To get more information, to donate or to volunteer,
please visit habitat.org.
About Auction Cause
Auction Cause, a premier cause
marketing agency, works with top brands, celebrities and nonprofits on their
cause marketing and social media programs. For more information, please visit auctioncause.com or call them at 323-655-0554 to learn about
their unique services.
About FIT
The Fashion Institute of
Technology, a part of the State University of New
York, has been a leader in career education in art, design, business, and
technology for nearly 70 years. Providing students with a singular blend of
hands-on, practical experience, classroom study, and a firm grounding in the
liberal arts, FIT offers a wide range of outstanding programs that are
affordable and relevant to today's rapidly changing industries. FIT draws on its
New York City location to provide a vibrant,
creative community in which to learn. The college offers more than 45 majors and
grants AAS, BFA, BS, MA, MFA, and MPS degrees, preparing students for
professional success and leadership in the global marketplace. Visit fitnyc.edu.
WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and ©
Turner Entertainment Co. (s14)
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| Trina Turk |
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| BCBGMAXAZRIA |
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| Jenny Packham |
UPDATE: OK magazine's site has pictures up of sketches by Reem Acra and Betsey Johnson.
More photos at Buro 24/7
