DHL Raises the Curtain on Fashion at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami Beach

MIAMI, July 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DHL, the world's leading logistics company, is raising the curtain on the action backstage at this year's Mercedes--Benz Fashion Week Swim, showcased at the historic Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach, July 19 through July 23.

Behind the bright lights, sizzling swimwear and long catwalks are teams of unsung heroes -- hair stylists, make-up artists, models, dressers, designers, sound and lighting specialists -- all working to ensure each runway show runs like clockwork. As the Official Logistics Partner for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, DHL is an integral part of this core team, providing vital logistics support not only during the week, but also in the weeks and months leading up to the shows.

The pace of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim is hectic and intense: five days, 32 designers from 11 different countries, countless models, yet the average show runs just 12 minutes. DHL provides tailor-made solutions for 30 global Fashion Week events across 15 cities across five continents, delivering everything on time -- from tiny bikinis and priceless haute couture masterpieces to the transportation of equipment to and from catwalk venues.

There is no such thing as fashionably late in the $250 billion dollar global fashion industry, which relies on intelligent and efficient logistics solutions, said John Fox, vice president and general manager for Southeast U.S. for DHL Express. DHL's logistics support is about shipping everything on time and in perfect condition. Designers depend on our services because a successful showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim can make or break their latest collection.

On Friday, July 20 at 8 p.m., DHL will sponsor the Dolores Cortes Runway Show. Dolores Cortes is a leading European swimwear designer with more than 50 years' experience in the swimsuit fashion sector and one of the first companies created in Spain dedicated to swimsuit fashion.

I have always admired DHL for its ability to deliver from the showroom or to stores and to customers as quickly and seamlessly as possible,

added Dolores Cortes. As an international designer, it's extremely important to have a reliable shipping and logistics partner to support my work -- to help me source the materials I need to create my designs and then bring my collections to clients around the globe.

Customers look to DHL to provide integrated logistics solutions, so whether they are seeking to re-stock their latest trends using air freight or move an entire collection using ocean freight services, we can leverage DHL's global network to make it happen, said Shawn Boyd, head of Marketing & Sales Americas for DHL Global Forwarding. Our knowledge and experience in understanding complex trade regulations as well as free trade agreements allow us to deliver cost-saving services to designers and fashion houses worldwide.

DHL's expertise in the fashion, textile and garment industries can handle complex distribution requirements as well as one-off service for a small shop. With an international network of logistics experts in more than 220 countries and territories, fashion designers can take advantage of DHL's express shipments, reliable air, ocean and ground freight services as well as supply chain management and an extensive knowledge of customs and trade regulations.