Why is Paris Haute Couture Week so important and unmissable?

Model and fashion expert Mercy Maddox took us inside of the world’s most important days for fashion industry

July 5, 2023. Paris, France – Despite its French heritage, it was English couturier Charles Frederick Worth who established the first haute couture fashion house in 1858. In 1945, a set of guidelines were put in place to define exactly what made labels worthy of the title, which translates as high dressmaking. Twice a year designers had to present collections of 50-plus pieces spanning both day and eveningwear, demonstrate exquisite hand-craftsmanship and operate from a Paris-based atelier with a minimum of 15 employees. The label also had to offer a bespoke made-to-measure service.

This season, Mercy Maddox, a professional model and a multi-hyphenated fashion industry professional,  and is currently the Chief Marketing Officer & Fashion Show Director for Canadian-based QB Elite Model & Talent Corporation was exclusively invited to attend one of the biggest show on this year’s Haute Couture Week – the George Hobeika Fall Winter 23/24 Collection, and here’s what she has to say:

What can you say about the George Hobeika show?

The George Hobeika show was polished, graceful, and clean. The model selection perfectly complemented the collection. I always look for variety in not only the collection but the models representing the collection as well. This is important to me in my initiatives for inclusivity in the fashion industry and my goal working with the QB Elite Model & Talent Corporation as we branch out internationally. It is wonderful to see in a couture show strides in showcasing various tones and shapes. I was particularly a fan of the strikingly bold purple they integrated into their palette and the stringy pieces that employed it. The dress adorned by Fan Bing Bing was an absolutely breathtaking showstopper, and choosing her to model it harmonized a feel of enchantment.

What do you think is the secret of Arab designers on creating Haute Couture pieces?

I feel like the immediate assumption from most would be that Arab designers would shy away from creating revealing haute couture pieces, but I feel they are masterful at creating revealing pieces that evoke a sense of refinement, artistry, and propriety. Arab designers are particularly skilled at making modesty desirable or melding the illusion of revealing pieces with modesty using mesh, sheer, and crystallized accents where appropriate.

Can you share with us your overall experience during the show – where you amused, or excited?

The show was captivating; the crystallized accents and variety in textures left the audiences’ eyes fixed on each piece until the last second and straight to the next, never losing focus. The show definitely captured “un rêve” with its fittingly soft palette and graceful presence.

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Smile Train Kicks Off ‘Honouring a Life, Honouring a Smile’ Campaign with Dubai-based Coach and Fitness Influencer Fuad Naser

Photo and Video from the event here

Dubai, UAE – 19 June 2023 – ‘Honouring a Life, Honouring a Smile’, a partnership campaign between Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft organization, and Fuad Naser, a Dubai-based coach, fitness/health and wellness influencer, and founder of 5:30 RUN Club, kicks off Sunday, 18 June 2023 at 5:30 a.m. at SALT Restaurant. The run and yoga event aims to raise awareness and funds for children with clefts in memory of Naser’s beloved father, who passed away a year ago.

“We will come together to make a difference to children’s smiles and give them the life they deserve to live — healthy and happy.” said Naser.

With a unique, sustainable model of educating and equipping local healthcare professionals 

to provide world-class cleft care across 75+ countries, Smile Train has sponsored more cleft surgeries than every other charity combined since their founding in 1999.

This fundraiser will run from 18 until 30 June 2023.

To join Smile Train and Naser in saving lives and creating smiles, donate via the link in the bio on Naser’s Instagram page, @fuad530run. 

If you would like more information about Smile Train’s global work, wish to refer a patient to one of our regional partners, or make a donation to support cleft care across the Middle East, please visit smiletraindubai.org or @smiletraindubai on Instagram.

-ENDS-

About Smile Train 

Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, funding, and resources to sponsor free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children globally. We advance a sustainable solution and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, drastically improving children’s lives, including their ability to eat, breathe, speak, and ultimately thrive. To learn more about how Smile Train’s sustainable approach means donations have both an immediate and long-term impact, please visit smiletrain.org. 

Press Contacts

Ian Borromeo

pr@yugenpr.com

+971 58 5811068

Daniel Dejne

yugen@yugenpr.com

+971 58 188 4572

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New York, NY, May 31, 2023 — Environ Energy, a leading energy management company specializing in sustainability consulting and carbon reduction services, is thrilled to announce its acquisition of APPI Energy, a renowned national energy consulting firm that specializes in comprehensive energy management strategies for commercial, industrial, government, and non-profit clients. This strategic partnership aims to enhance Environ’s robust suite of services, industry expertise, and market presence, while also bolstering APPI Energy’s existing sustainability and efficiency offerings.

“Environ’s cutting-edge energy sustainability solutions have found a powerful new market channel encompassing 160 national and state trade associations, along with their extensive membership base of over half a million companies,” said Mark Mininberg, CEO of Environ. “We are delighted with the APPI team and truly excited about the future of our rapidly expanding enterprise.”

With a network of 160 affinity groups, trade associations, and Chambers of Commerce, APPI Energy has solidified its position as the preferred energy consulting firm for their respective members since 1996. Their affinity partnerships focus on thought leadership and advisory services related to electricity and natural gas procurement, and in recent years, have expanded to include energy efficiency and sustainability solutions.

“The merger of APPI Energy and Environ represents the perfect synergy of advanced energy solutions and national market access,” commented Walter Moore, Founder and CEO of APPI Energy. “By combining decades of experience, expertise, and shared values of success and integrity, we are bringing a truly comprehensive set of energy solutions to our clients.”

APPI Energy now joins Environ’s growing suite of services, capabilities, and market outreach. Environ is driven to accelerate efforts toward a cleaner and more sustainable future by collaborating with industry leaders such as Best Practice Energy, Scope 5, ISOS Group, Gotham 360, and Hospital Energy. These strategic partnerships allow Environ to develop sophisticated risk-management energy strategies for diverse markets. The acquisitions have been made possible with support from 424 Capital, a growth capital investor that collaborates with founders and management teams to accelerate long-term growth.

About Environ

Environ is a leading energy management firm that helps clients improve building energy efficiency, facilitate clean energy procurement, increase energy resiliency, ensure regulatory compliance, and meet ESG commitments. With a history dating back to the early 1990s and a diverse client portfolio in healthcare, hospitality, industrial facilities, and data centers, Environ manages over $1 billion in energy contracts and has achieved $100 million in demonstrated savings for its clients. With offices in New York City, Environ serves clients across North America and internationally. To learn more about Environ Energy, please visit environenergy.com or contact us at [email protected].

About APPI Energy

APPI Energy provides data-driven procurement and integrated energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers in deregulated energy markets across the U.S. The company offers each customer a customized consulting experience, leveraging proprietary analytics of energy data to create tailored energy supply solutions, coordinate energy management strategies, and deliver exceptional customer service. APPI Energy has earned the endorsement of 160 trade associations and chambers of commerce, ensuring ongoing cost reduction and effective energy management for their members.

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(Vancouver, WA and Plano, TX) Prestige Care, a leading senior living and healthcare provider, is proud to announce its new partnership with Reliant Rehabilitation for contract rehabilitation services. This partnership is expected to bring cutting-edge rehabilitation solutions to Prestige’s facilities.

With Reliant Rehabilitation‘s depth of expertise and experience in providing specialized therapy services, this partnership will bring advanced care solutions to Prestige Care’s facilities nationally.

“After conducting an extensive search, we chose Reliant Rehabilitation as the ideal partner to provide our residents with the best care possible,” said Jason Delamarter, COO of Prestige Care. “At Prestige Care, our residents’ health and well-being are our top priority, and we’re confident that this partnership with Reliant Rehabilitation will allow us to provide even more comprehensive care to those we serve.”

Reliant Rehabilitation is a renowned provider of contract rehabilitation therapy services, offering a range of physical, occupational, and speech therapy services supporting patients of all levels of ability and functional needs. Under this new partnership, Prestige Care can access Reliant Rehabilitation’s extensive experience and deep clinical expertise to ensure patients receive outcomes-focused, effective rehabilitation therapy.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Prestige Care,” said Tim Stallkamp, CEO of Reliant Rehabilitation. “We share Prestige Care’s values and commitment to delivering exceptional care that truly makes a difference in the lives of seniors and their families. This partnership aligns both providers’ respective expertise and core strengths to better address the expectations of patients/residents, family members, referral sources, and payors. Together, we will work to provide innovative solutions that help Prestige Care residents meet their goals of reaching their highest level of potential and fulfillment in everyday life.”

The partnership will begin this summer. Prestige Care and Reliant Rehabilitation are committed to a long-term partnership that will enable them to provide the best possible care to their residents well into the future. Prestige Care and Reliant are committed to a smooth transition for patients, residents, and team members.

About Prestige Care

Prestige Care is a family-owned senior living and healthcare provider that operates 80 communities throughout the Western United States. Focusing on compassionate care, they offer service options, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, nursing care, and therapy services. Prestige residents are not just people but valued and appreciated members of the Prestige family with the promise to personally touch lives every day. Prestige focuses on wellness programs promoting health and longevity in their residents, allowing them to enjoy life at every age.

About Reliant Rehabilitation

Reliant Rehabilitation is a leading provider of contract rehabilitation therapy services across the United States. They offer a full range of therapy focusing on helping patients achieve their goals and live their best lives. Their experienced team of therapists uses evidence-based practices to provide customized, effective therapy services in a compassionate, supportive setting.  Reliant is dedicated to the continued growth of our therapists, quality outcomes, and our partnership with the customers and communities we serve.  For further information, please contact Stephanie Parks, Chief Development Officer [email protected]

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