The collection is comprised of 15 pieces ranging from coats, jackets, vests, scarves, gloves and other accessories. All contain both classic and contemporary elements and utilize Blackglama mink in conjunction with other materials such as leather.
“When we began preparation for the second Blackglama campaign, Janet became very involved in the design process. The result was an amazing collection of Blackglama garments and accessories that reflect Janet’s tremendous sense of style and fashion,” said Mike McCrea, VP of Marketing for Blackglama. “This is one of the most visually appealing and innovative Blackglama collections I have seen.”
The line is priced for the luxury market and will retail in the Fur Salon at select Saks Fifth Avenue and the Maximilian Fur Salon at select Bloomingdales.

About Blackglama
For over 40 years, Blackglama has been world-renowned for providing the finest, most luxurious and exclusive ranch-raised natural black mink.  Blackglama mink is distributed exclusively through American Legend Cooperative based in Seattle, Washington and sought after by manufacturers, retailers and consumers globally.  All Blackglama mink comes from Origin Assured™ farms.

About Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson is a legend in the entertainment industry. Her albums, including Control, janet, All For You and Number Ones, have sold over 100 million copies worldwide and her most recent “JANET JACKSON Number Ones; Up Close And Personal” World Tour broke box office records making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time.  She is the only recording artist to have Grammy™ nominations spanning the categories Dance, Pop, Rap, Rock and R&B. Janet is also an accomplished actress, with starring roles in television and film including Poetic Justice, Nutty Professor, Why Did I Get Married?, Why Did I Get Married Too? and For Colored Girls. JANET’s book True You debuted at number one on the New York Times Best Sellers List.

Blackglama Press contact:
Catherine Pope
Linda Gaunt Communications
212.810.2894 x102
catherine@lindagaunt.com

Janet Jackson is represented and managed by:
Stephen Roseberry
JDJ Entertainment/Sterling Winters Company
(310) 557-2700 ext. 110
Sroseberry@sterlingwinters.com

Presented by W Magazines Stefan Tonchi and sponsored by Blackglama, the unveiling of “Time Capsule” took place at the posh Park Avenue Armory in New York, during the esteemed New York Fashion Week.

As guests entered the Armory they found themselves enveloped by darkness, as thick black curtains parted to reveal flat screen televisions hanging from the ceiling, each showcasing a slightly older Valetta in stunning ensembles. A 3-D extension of Klein’s “One for the Ages”, “Time Capsule” showed Valetta as a woman aging across a century thanks to creative makeup and wardrobe selections.

“Time Capsule” is an exploration of the illusion of time, as Valletta’s character imagines herself in the future and creates the range of aging, challenging our ideas and concepts of time and dimension. In essence, she is aging in a realm that is timeless.

Said Klein of the video, “The more we developed the aging, the more it became interesting to me, so if that’s any indication about being older, it gets more interesting, more exciting.”

The installation, which was shot for the September issue of W Magazine, was well received by the crowd of notable attendees including former Blackglama Legend Naomi Campbell, Vera Wang, Yigal Azrouel, Rose McGowan and the always exciting Courtney Love.

An exclusive cut of “Time Capsule” is now available at wmagazine.com’s Film Center.

New York, NY, August 24, 2011 – Blackglama is pleased to announce that Janet Jackson will be the first legend to be featured for the second year consecutively in the brand’s iconic “What Becomes a Legend Most?” advertising campaign.

“It became clear in our discussions of who the Legend should be this year, that continuing the momentum with Janet made complete sense,” says Joe Morelli, CEO of Blackglama. “She embodies glamour, luxury and sophistication, everything that Blackglama stands for.”

Unquestionably a legend in the world of entertainment, Janet Jackson’s albums, including Control, janet, All For You and Number Ones, have sold over 100 million copies worldwide and her most recent “JANET JACKSON Number Ones; Up Close And Personal” World Tour broke box office records making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time. She is the only recording artist to have Grammy™ nominations spanning the categories Dance, Pop, Rap, Rock and R&B. Janet is also an accomplished actress, with starring roles in television and film including Poetic Justice, Nutty Professor, Why Did I Get Married?, Why Did I Get Married Too? and For Colored Girls.

Last year’s campaign thrust Janet Jackson amongst some of the world’s most legendary entertainers who have starred in the popular Blackglama “What Becomes a Legend Most?” campaign. The initiative was revived by noted advertising agency Laspata DeCaro, and ads were photographed by Rocco Laspata.

“The primary difference is that the initial campaigns were focused on a singular image – a legend and a coat,” says Charles DeCaro. “Our recent branding iterations have evolved imparting a distinct fashion sensibility. Multiple images showcase innovative designs and the relevant multi-faceted ways Blackglama – as a product – can be appropriated.”

The first ad debuts in the September issue of W Magazine.

On Wednesday, September 1, the “What Becomes a Legend Most?” billboard containing Janet Jackson was unveiled in Manhattan’s Times Square. Occupying one of the city’s most prestigious pieces of real estate, the billboard takes up two sides of a very busy corner space. In such a high-traffic area, these images are literally being seen by hundreds of thousands of people each day.

The billboard will remain in this spot until the end of September, before moving to a different Times Square location until January 1.

Janet Jackson has created an iconic place in the history of entertainment. Her albums, including Control, janet, All For You and Number Ones, have sold over 100 million copies worldwide making her one of the best-selling female artists of all time. She is the only recording artist to have Grammy™ nominations spanning the categories Dance, Pop, Rap, Rock and R&B. Her breakthrough album, Control, was nominated for the Grammy™ Award for Album of the Year in 1987 and has been listed as one of the 200 Definitive Albums of All Time by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Janet is also an accomplished actress, with starring roles in television and film including Poetic Justice, Nutty Professor, Why Did I Get Married? and Why Did I Get Married Too?. She is an Oscar™ nominated song writer for “Again,” the theme from Poetic Justice, and her theme song “Nothing” from Why Did I Get Married Too? went to number one on iTunes. Jackson is currently filming her starring role in For Colored Girls.

Now Janet Jackson joins a roster of some of the world’s most legendary entertainers who have starred in the popular Blackglama “What Becomes a Legend Most?” campaign. Since the campaign’s inception four decades ago, Blackglama legends have included Sophia Loren, Diana Ross, Audrey Hepburn, Lauren Bacall, Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor, Lena Horne and Liza Minnelli.

“For decades, Blackglama has represented the finest, most exclusive mink in the world,” says Joe Morelli, CEO of Blackglama. “Throughout its illustrious history, Blackglama has remained a dynamic and powerful player in the fashion industry. Much like Blackglama, Janet Jackson has occupied a similar position in her respective industry. Janet is an icon in the world of music and entertainment, a true legend. She represents everything that this storied campaign embodies. Janet is to entertainment what Blackglama is to luxury.”

The global “What Becomes a Legend Most?” campaign featuring Janet Jackson, under the creative direction of Blackglama’s advertising agency Laspata DeCaro, was photographed by Rocco Laspata. Beginning in September, the ads will run in national print outlets including Vanity Fair, Vogue, W, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and Women’s Wear Daily; international print including Vanity Fair, Vogue, Elle, In Style and Harper’s Bazaar in Italy, France, Japan, Russia, China and Korea; outdoor including a billboard in Times Square in New York City; and online including Style.com and WWD.com.

“Janet defines the very essence of what the word ‘legend’ implies,” says Charles DeCaro, co-creative director of Laspata DeCaro. “When we decided to return Blackglama to its celebrity associated branding roots, she was the perfect fit in the evolution of the iconic campaign. Janet’s distinction as a legend is particularly poignant in that she is a relevant tour de force with a universal, multi-dimensional appeal.”

On shooting Janet Jackson for the campaign, Rocca Laspata, photographer and co-creative director of Laspata DeCaro, says, “The chemistry between who is before and behind the lens is crucial in any successful sitting. Janet completely gets that dynamic and delivers 100% in establishing a one-on-one connection. She is extremely focused on set and I fell completely in love with her.”

“Selecting an image for the Blackglama campaign is unique in that you’re not only looking for a compelling visual but a certain nuance that captures the ‘legend,’” says DeCaro. “When the image we ultimately selected appeared on the computer screen, there was a collective, ‘We have it.’ It visually communicates Janet’s legend – her approachability, her sparkle, her smile, her magic.”

A behind-the-scenes video that documents the making of the ad campaign in which Janet Jackson provides inspirational commentary will live on the Blackglama and official Janet Jackson websites.

The Blackglama Female Top Lot bundle was generously donated by an American Legend farmer group that requested that all proceeds from the sale of the lot be donated in kind to the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon and Southwest Washington.

After announcing the bundle to the room of buyers, bidding began for the highly anticipated bundle. The lot was initially purchased, before being re-offered to the room for further donations in a great show of kindness and showmanship. Following the second selling of the bundle it was once again re-offered to the room for further contributions.

Upon completion of the third and final sale, the room erupted into applause, a true sign of respect and admiration for the cancer alliance, as well as for the generosity of the fur trade as a whole.

In addition to the auctioning of the charity bundle, donations were also received from ranchers, buyers and American Legend employees prior to and during the sale.

In all, over $30,000 was raised and contributed to the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Oregon and Southwest Washington.

At American Legend Cooperative, we recognize the leadership role we must play in the global stewardship of our Blackglama® and American Legend® brands.

Throughout 2009, you will see meaningful strides being made around the world as we continue building the equity of these brands in the hearts and minds of our consumers.

As a foundation to our relationship with our consumers, it is imperative that they are guaranteed they are purchasing authentic product. Beginning with the March 2009 sale, American Legend Cooperative is proud to announce we are implementing a new label program that will assist our partners throughout our supply chain, and ultimately our consumers, in ensuring the authenticity of these brands.

The new labels are the first component of an overall program aimed at helping to eliminate the possibility for counterfeit labels, ensuring that all Blackglama and American Legend products in the marketplace can be trusted as being truly authentic and genuine.

The program will be implemented in phases, and for the time being will continue to honor past editions of Blackglama and American Legend labels.

By taking these proactive measures, manufacturers, retailers and consumers can rest assured that the premium they pay for our brand name products and labels will be better protected than ever before.

Joe Morelli, CEO & President of American Legend Mink, the holding company for the Blackglama brand, stated that Hurley is “Glamorous, sophisticated and elegant. Her body of work is representative of the legendary allure that the Blackglama ‘What Becomes a Legend Most?’ Campaign has come to embody. It is truly an honor announce such a wonderful addition to our iconic campaign.”
Hurley is best known for her time as the international spokesmodel for Estèe Lauder. She has also starred in such films as Bedazzled, Passenger 57 and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.

The Laspata/DeCaro Studio shot the campaign and Rocco Laspata is the photographer.

Instances such as these are the principles that the Blackglama® brand is built upon. Embodying a rare set of intangible characteristics, Blackglama products combine superb quality with an unquestionable sense of style and sophistication. These attributes distinguish Blackglama from its counterparts, calling to the trend-setting, style-savvy fashion connoisseurs that demand the Blackglama name.

World renowned for their unbridled luxury and elegance, Blackglama products are created from the finest materials. Each Blackglama skin is hand selected, with less than 2% of the world’s Black mink population being deemed worthy of the exclusive Blackglama name. Handcrafted from the highest quality mink in the world, Blackglama products are internationally regarded for their exquisite attention to detail. Each Blackglama product is individually labeled to ensure authenticity and can be found throughout the world at selected high-end retail locations.

All mink procured by American Legend Cooperative originate from Origin Assured farms. Origin Assured farms adhere to strict governmental and agricultural guidelines and regulations that govern mink production, ensuring that the highest standard of humane care is utilized.

The finest quality comes from the finest care.

For more than four decades, Blackglama’s famed “What Becomes a Legend Most?” campaign has added to the prestige of the Blackglama brand. Featuring prominent stars from all facets of entertainment, the campaign has helped to spotlight Blackglama products, gaining domestic and international notoriety.

The campaign has showcased legendary figures from that of film, television, music, stage, and literature. Amongst those featured are Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony award winning artists, television and motion picture superstars, and most recently, a number of world renowned supermodels.

For all inquiries regarding Blackglama® products, please contact us at:

Phone:
425.251.3200

Fax:
425.251.3222

Address:
American Legend Cooperative
PO Box 58308
Seattle, Washington 98138

Email:
info@blackglama.com

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