May the Force Be with World MasterCard® Fashion Week

Disney Consumer Products partners with Mercedes-Benz Start Up, hosting a "Star Wars Inspired" Design Competition

TORONTO, Oct. 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Tonight, the studio space at World MasterCard® Fashion week was transformed into a galaxy far, far away where Disney Consumer Products, in partnership with the Mercedes-Benz Start Up Competition (MBSU), hosted a Star Wars inspired design competition.  The six MBSU finalists were tasked with the creation of one head-to-toe look inspired by Star Wars.  Tonight, with Stormtroopers in tow, José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger of UNTTLD were crowned the winners - with a commemorative lightsaber, of course - earning a prize of $15,000 to put towards their own collection.

"With Star Wars:  The Force Awakens launching in December, we know that the force among fans is stronger than ever," said Pete Noonan, Managing Director, Licensing, Disney Consumer Products Canada.  "We are delighted to be back at World MasterCard® Fashion Week, supporting up and coming Canadian talent.  Star Wars has been a part of pop culture and fashion for many generations, so we loved seeing the designers' interpretations come to life tonight."

Star Wars has a rich design history, having popped up on various runway shows and editorial covers since its inception in 1977.  With its memorable characters, unique set design and costumes, both designers and street style fans alike have taken sartorial cues from the film for decades.  The six finalists in tonight's competition were asked to design one look inspired by the iconic films that have attracted generations of fans.  Each designer was instructed to design one head-to-toe look for spring/summer 2016 based on the design elements of the film. 

Roger Christian, Academy Award® winner and set decorator, was onsite for the festivities, acting as a guest judge for the evening.  As the original creator of the iconic lightsaber and the character, R2D2, Christian's long history with the franchise brought an authentic creative eye to the panel.

"We are proud to have Roger on the judging panel to lend his credible design history and sensibility to the competition this year," said Noonan.  "Roger has been an integral part of the series from the very beginning, so it's very special to have him join us tonight."

Following tonight's event, the six looks will be displayed in the fashion environment as part of a Star Wars themed installation for the duration of the week.  Guests can get in on the fun by following the hashtag #StarWarsFashion and @StarWarsStyle. 

To access photos from the tonight's presentation, visit www.wireimage.com.

About Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media
Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media (DCPI) is the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) that brings our company's stories and characters to life through innovative and engaging physical products and digital experiences across more than 100 categories, from toys and t-shirts, to apps, books and console games. DCPI comprises two main lines of business: Disney Consumer Products (DCP), and Disney Interactive (DI). The combined segment is home to world class teams of app and game developers, licensing and retail experts, a leading retail business (Disney Store), artists and storytellers, and technologists who inspire imaginations around the world.

About Lucasfilm Ltd.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company's activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California.

SOURCE Disney Consumer Products

Image with caption: "Tonight, at World MasterCard® Fashion Week in Toronto, UNTTLD was crowned as the winner of the Star Wars(TM) inspired design competition as part of the Mercedes-Benz Start Up competition. José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger of UNTTLD, pictured with Roger Christian, received $15,000 to put towards their own collection. Photo: George Pimentel (CNW Group/Disney Consumer Products)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151021_C7924_PHOTO_EN_526742.jpg

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