Samsung Fashion Steps Out 2013 – 28 March-12 May

Singapore, Apr 1, 2013 – (ACN Newswire) – A celebration of fashion’s finest will soon hit Orchard Road, Singapore’s best-known shopping destination, as Samsung Fashion Steps Out (FSO) 2013 puts the spotlight on the chic and en vogue with an exciting line-up of fashion shows, pop-up stores and exclusive MasterCard(R) shopping promotions.

Into its fourth year, FSO 2013 is once again presented by Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA), with the support of Singapore Tourism Board. This year, the precinct is clothed in floral finery as it literally puts on colours from the Spring / Summer 2013 runway palette. Selected trees on both sides of the shopping boulevard are dressed in vivid hues and effervescent prints – all created with the help of Samsung Note 10.1 LTE by budding designers from Raffles Design Institute (RDI).

In a literally traffic-stopping main event to be held on 4 May, the Orchard Fashion Runway will switch the usual vehicular bustle for a dazzling outdoor catwalk display of the latest Spring / Summer designs from local and international brands. Close to 150 models will strut their stuff down the road that will be closed to traffic for that one special day when fashion takes over Orchard Road.

“Orchard Road Business Association is pleased to celebrate the best of Spring Summer 2013 with Samsung Fashion Steps Out 2013, which presents six weeks of stylish events and a myriad of MasterCard shopping promotions for everyone on Orchard Road. With FSO growing into an iconic event in the fashion calendar, Orchard Road will also become a place where all can enjoy exceptional experiences,” said Mrs May Sng, Chairman of ORBA.

For the first time in FSO’s history, Samsung is the Presenting Sponsor and will headline 2013’s biggest fashion event of the year with the much-anticipated launch of the Samsung GALAXY S 4 LTE.

“We are excited to present Samsung Fashion Steps Out 2013 to Singaporeans and visitors who can look forward to great experiences on Orchard Road. This highly-anticipated iconic event presents yet another opportunity for us to bring enriching experiences to our consumers who will be able to witness a combination of style and technology in a creative fashion. To truly embody the convergence of technology and fashion, we are also working closely with young design students, whose designs will be brought to life as we incorporate them into the design elements of accessories for the Samsung GALAXY S 4 LTE,” said Ms Irene Ng, Vice President, Marketing, Samsung Asia Pte Ltd.

MasterCard, for the fourth year running, is the Official Card for FSO 2013.

Said Ms Julienne Loh, General Manager, Singapore for MasterCard Worldwide, “With MasterCard as the Official Card for Fashion Steps Out 2013 for the fourth consecutive year, MasterCard cardholders can continue to look forward to exclusive privileges, rewards and priceless experiences when indulging in their passion for shopping along Orchard Road. In a recent Consumer Purchasing Priorities survey conducted by MasterCard, 65% of respondents in Singapore said they purchase luxury goods locally. This is encouraging, given Singaporeans’ affinity for travel. We hope that with the exciting privileges that MasterCard cardholders can look forward to, Singaporeans and visitors alike will continue to choose shopping along Singapore’s top fashion street.”

Singapore Tourism Board continues to be a supportive partner of FSO 2013.

Ms Tan Yen Nee, Deputy Director, Enrichment and Lifestyle Precincts Development at the Singapore Tourism Board said, “As a key event in Orchard Road’s event calendar, it’s great to see Samsung Fashion Steps Out 2013 bringing fashion out onto the streets of Orchard and making it accessible for everyone. We believe events such as this will continue to enhance the buzz on one of the world’s most beautiful shopping avenues, making it an even more vibrant place for locals and tourists to visit.”

– Launch of Orchard Road mobile app –

In conjunction with FSO 2013, the first-ever Orchard Road mobile app “@Orchard” will be launched and made available for download from 28 Mar onwards.

Free for both Android and iOS users, this app will help shoppers navigate around the street and provide a listing of Orchard Road stores, the latest promotions and newest events. In line with the season, the app will also feature exclusive video interviews with international and local brands on their trendiest Spring / Summer 2013 collection. Progressively, users will also find up-to-date information on the availability of carpark lots, as well as traffic conditions on Orchard Road.

Samsung Fashion Steps Out 2013 – Main Events:

– Fashion Prints. A Trunk Show (28 March – 12 May) – In collaboration with Raffles Design Institute (RDI) –

Design students from RDI will present their own take on the latest Spring / Summer trends, creatively put together with the help of Samsung Note 10.1 LTE, which will deck out the trees along Orchard Road in vivid hues and effervescent prints fit for the season. Selected prints will also be adapted on phone accessories for the brand new Samsung GALAXY S 4 LTE that will be launched during FSO 2013. Please refer to Annex A for more information.

– FSO VIP Opening Party (28 March) @ Paragon –

Samsung Fashion Steps Out 2013 kicks off with an exclusive party and fashion show at Paragon! As guests party away to live music from local band, the Goodfellas, be swept away by the latest Spring / Summer looks by Etro and Pois’ presentation of Mary Katrantzou and Manish Arora.

– MasterCard Shopping Promotions (28 Mar – 12 May) @ Participating Orchard Road Malls –

Stretch your shopping dollar with MasterCard!

Charge $300 to your MasterCard at any of the participating malls on Orchard Road to redeem a $30 shopping voucher on the same day.

Also, shoppers stand a chance to win a Samsung device or $500 shopping vouchers in the Shop, Dine & Win Draw with every $50 spent at any outlet in the participating malls. Charge your purchases to MasterCard and triple your chances of winning!

And that’s not all! MasterCard cardholders can enjoy over 80 exclusive merchant promotions along Orchard Road during the six-week fashion season as well.

Terms and conditions apply. Please refer towww.orchardroad.org/fso for more details.

Participating malls:
1. 313@somerset
2. Forum The Shopping Mall
3. ION Orchard
4. Mandarin Gallery
5. Orchard Central
6. Paragon
7. Takashimaya Shopping Centre/Ngee Ann City
8. TANGS Orchard
9. The Centrepoint
10. Wisma Atria

– Fashion Pops (12 – 21 April) @ Mandarin Gallery –

Whoever says fashion is merely a reflection of what comes off the runways during fashion week should definitely pay the Fashion Pops a visit. Featuring vibrant booths carrying exclusive buys for the season and a celebrity cover exhibit by Harper’s BAZAAR, Fashion Pops will offer an endless array of fun and excitement any shopaholic would be delighted to get lost in.

– Orchard Fashion Runway (4 May) –

The highlight of Samsung FSO 2013, the Orchard Fashion Runway will transform the street into a glamorous fashion runway, showcasing the latest Spring / Summer offerings of local and international brands and the highly anticipated new Samsung GALAXY S 4 LTE.

Orchard Road, stretching from Scotts / Paterson junction to Bideford junction, will be closed to traffic on this one day, where about 150 models will take to the streets in the couture of the season from Fausto Puglisi, Diane von Furstenberg, Coach, J.Press, Marks & Spencer, Robinsons, Adolfo Dominguez and Maria Grachvogel, styled by Official Make-up Shiseido and Official Hair Shiseido Professional. During this period, Orchard Road malls will still be open for business and will remain accessible to traffic via Paterson Road, Orchard Link and Bideford Road.

Members of the public are welcome to attend this once-a-year fashion extravaganza in alfresco style at 8:30pm.

About Samsung Fashion Steps Out 2013

Fashion Steps Out (FSO) is an annual highlight organised by Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) and aimed at bringing fashion to the man on the street. This year, ORBA is pleased to have Samsung on board as the Presenting Sponsor of this iconic fashion extravaganza – Samsung Fashion Steps Out 2013 – on the Great Street.

From 28 Mar – 12 May 2013, the Orchard Road shopping belt of nearly 800,000 sqm of retail space will herald the Spring/Summer fashion season with exciting events and promotions designed to spice up everyday fashion and thrill shoppers.

FSO 2012 brought in 5 million visitors; drew almost $4 million in receipts (According to MasterCard’s tracking in USD); and generated over S$2 million worth of publicity.

Samsung FSO 2013 is a six-week fashion extravaganza which culminates in the traffic-stopping Orchard Fashion Runway on 4 May 2013. The event aspires to attract even more visitors and higher spend.

For more information, please visitwww.orchardroad.org/fso orwww.facebook.com/fashionstepsout.

About Orchard Road Business Association

Since 1998, Orchard Road Business Association (ORBA) has represented the interests and welfare of businesses along Orchard Road. Through the creation of activities, business development, promotion and marketing, ORBA preserves, promotes, improves and facilitates businesses on Orchard Road.

ORBA also organises memorable events for visitors and tourists to Orchard Road, such as Christmas on A Great Street, Fashion Steps Out and Rev-Up @ Orchard. Christmas on A Great Street, classed as one of Frommer’s World’s Best Holiday Lights in 2010; Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Christmas Markets of the World in 2011; and IDA Achievements – Merit Award Winner 2012, is an annual signature event that heralds the start of the festive season here in Singapore, which many look forward to as an unforgettable experience.

Membership in ORBA is open to Orchard Road stakeholders, as well as non-stakeholders who have an affiliation to lifestyle business along Orchard Road. There are currently close to 100 members in the Association, including the owners and management of shopping malls, departmental stores, leading retailers, hotels and restaurants. In 2013, the association launched the ORBA Privilege Card, the first precinct-centric employee’s privilege initiative in Singapore that aims to benefit members’ employees and boost the profiles of Orchard Road businesses.

ORBA operates under the auspices of Singapore Tourism Board (STB) with its administration entrusted to an Executive Committee (EXCO) comprising some of Orchard Road’s key stakeholders. The EXCO is headed by Mrs May Sng, Executive Director of Orchard 290 Pte Ltd (Owner and Manager of Paragon) as Chairman.

For more information, please visitwww.orchardroad.org orwww.facebook.com/orchardroad.sg.

About Samsung

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in consumer electronics and the core components that go into them. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of televisions, smartphones, personal computers, printers, cameras, home appliances, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 227,000 people across 75 countries with annual sales exceeding US$143 billion. Our goal is opening new possibilities for people everywhere. To discover more, please visitwww.samsung.com.

About MasterCard

MasterCard (NYSE: MA),www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Conversations Blog and subscribe for the latest news.

About Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is a leading economic development agency in tourism, one of Singapore’s key service sectors. Known for partnership, innovation and excellence, STB champions tourism, making it a key economic driver for Singapore. We aim to differentiate and market Singapore as a must-visit destination offering a concentration of user-centric and enriching experiences through the “YourSingapore” brand. For more information, please visitwww.stb.gov.sg orwww.yoursingapore.com.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms Adine Loh
Associate Director
Tel: +65 6733 1120
Email: adine@orchardroad.org

Ms Jasmine Fu
Assistant Manager, Marketing Communications
Tel: +65 6733 1120
Email: jasmine@orchardroad.org

Ms Louann Wong
Ninemer Public Relations PL
Account Manager
Tel: +65 6534 8020
Mob: +65 9728 8771
Email: louannwong@ninemer.com

Ms Hsu Lin
Ninemer Public Relations PL
Account Manager
Tel: +65 6534 8020
Mob: +65 9720 6119
Email: hsulin@ninemer.com