DKNY Presents the First-Ever Vanity Fair ``In Concert'' Series Brought to You by Step Up Women's Network

Business Wire, Sept 25, 2002

Entertainment Editors & Music/Health Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 25, 2002

Step Up Women's Network:

-- Missy Elliott, Tweet and Howie Day to Perform in New York on October 22nd at Irving Plaza

-- Artists TBD to Perform in Chicago on November 3rd at the Metro

-- Lucinda Williams, Neil Finn, Joe Henry, Rosey, John Doe to Perform in Los Angeles on November 5th at the Wiltern

-- 100% of the Proceeds Will Benefit Step Up Women's Network

Vanity Fair will partner with Donna Karan International and Step Up Women's Network to launch the first-ever Vanity Fair "In Concert" Series to benefit Step Up Women's Network, an organization dedicated to raising funds for women's health issues and women's advocacy organizations through national and local events that support and promote the career development of its members. The 2002 series will kick off in New York City on Tuesday, October 22nd, at Irving Plaza with concerts following in Chicago on Sunday, November 3rd, at the Metro and Los Angeles on Tuesday, November 5th, at the Wiltern. All proceeds from the concert series, presented by DKNY, will benefit the Step Up Women's Network. The concert series was jointly announced today by Louis Cona, Vice President and Publisher of Vanity Fair, Donna Karan and Kaye Popofsky, founder of Step Up Women's Network.

"Vanity Fair's November Music issue covers an incredible breadth of talent across all musical genres -- rock to R & B, jazz to classical, and more," said Vice President and Publisher of Vanity Fair Louis Cona. "The first Vanity Fair `In Concert' series will mirror the excitement and influence of the issue, gathering some of the hottest A-list talent from New York to Chicago and Los Angeles to support this worthy cause."

Step Up Women's Network founder Kaye Popofsky added, "I want to thank Vanity Fair and Donna Karan for partnering with us for such a philanthropic initiative. They are indeed leaders in their respective fields. With the funds raised through the concert series, Step Up Women's Network can continue to invest their resources to ensure that the issues affecting women and girls in our local communities are properly addressed."

In New York, Grammy Award-winner Missy Elliott and Tweet will join together for the first time to sing "Where My Girls At?" as part of a celebratory tribute to recording artist Aaliyah, who had been scheduled to perform last November at the Step Up benefit concert BREATHE. The tribute will also include a performance by Aaliyah's dancers created by renowned choreographer Fatima. Other artists confirmed for the New York show include Howie Day, who will soon be joining Tori Amos on tour, and more.

"I am honored to have Aaliyah involved in light of the beautiful humanitarian that she was and the impact that she had on the public," said Aaliyah's mother, Diane Haughtington. "Our family supports Step Up Women's Network, all of its programs and the causes that it represents."

Coming off the success of "Essence" and Grammy Award-winning "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road," sultry vocalist Lucinda Williams will headline in Los Angeles, along with an acoustic performance by former Crowded House member Neil Finn, who recently released a new solo album "One All." Additional artists include Joe Henry, whose recent album "Scar" has been hailed as a musical milestone; musical synthesist Rosey; and X's John Doe, whose recent release "Dim Stars, Bright Sky" is entirely acoustic.

Lucinda Williams noted, "It is a privilege to be working with a charity that is really making a difference in women's lives."

In each city, a special VIP party will be hosted for participating artists and will be presented by Donna Karan Black Cashmere, the new scent of luxury that could only come from the artistry of one creator, Donna Karan. In New York, Donna Karan will host a VIP party at her Madison Avenue store on October 17th.

"Music is an expression of who we are and what we care about," Karan said. "We're excited to support this concert series, which allows us to reflect the two sensibilities of our company. Donna Karan Black Cashmere, our new luxe fragrance, is sponsoring the VIP parties; DKNY, which is inspired by the creative energy of street life, is sponsoring the concerts themselves. We're grateful to Vanity Fair for bringing together fashion, art and important philanthropic causes like Step Up Women's Network."

Also in New York, partner Apple will provide a live webcast of the New York concert at their SoHo store, and W Hotels will host an exclusive after-party at their Union Square Hotel in New York.

In Los Angeles, Grammy Award-winning producer Rick Rubin with sponsor Donna Karan Black Cashmere will host a pre-concert party at his home on November 4th. Additional sponsors include CitySearch, Dooney & Bourke, Paterno Wine Imports, and Turi Vodka. Apple will provide a live webcast of the Los Angeles concert at their new store at The Grove.

Tickets for the New York and Los Angeles concerts go on sale September 28th. For tickets or event information, please visit www.ticketmaster.com. For more information on Step Up Women's Network, please visit www.stepupwomensnetwork.org.