Plastic Is the New Black! Actress Kaley Cuoco Partners With Plastics Make it Possible(SM) and Gen Art to Celebrate the Future of Fashion - Plastic!

Plastic Is the New Black! Actress Kaley Cuoco Partners With Plastics Make it Possible(SM) and Gen Art to Celebrate the Future of Fashion - Plastic!

'Big Bang Theory' Actress to Host Gen Art 'Fresh Faces in Fashion' Los Angeles Show and Announce Designer Competition Showcasing Innovative Plastic-Based Collection

ARLINGTON, Va., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- This year plastic has become the newest trend in couture. From Paris to Milan to New York, plastics are showing up in a variety of innovative and unusual ways on the runway including funky jewelry, 10-inch platform shoes and even sequined mini-dresses made from recycled plastic bottles. Celebrating this up-and-coming trend, Plastics Make it Possible(SM), sponsored by the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council, will present the Gen Art "Fresh Faces in Fashion" Los Angeles Show on October 29, hosted by actress Kaley Cuoco, star of the popular CBS sitcom, The Big Bang Theory.

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"Plastics and couture might not seem like an obvious fit, but the fact is that plastics have played a very large role in fashion for decades," said Steve Russell, vice president, Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council. "Without plastic, we wouldn't have faux fur, and skinny jeans wouldn't have their stretch. Plastics also provide women with comfortable, smooth support under their favorite looks. We're thrilled to partner with Gen Art to highlight how plastics inspire designers' imaginations and allow artists to create pieces that are cutting-edge, on trend, chic, affordable, and even eco-friendly."

The "Fresh Faces in Fashion" show is the first in a series of events sponsored by Plastics Make it Possible(SM) as part of a new partnership with Gen Art aimed at showcasing the creative use of plastics in fashion design and the ways in which up-and-coming designers are applying them to today's - and tomorrow's - trends. Whether it's polyester, nylon, spandex or Lycra®, the fashion and design world has embraced these plastic materials.

At the show Kaley Cuoco will announce a nationwide fashion design competition challenging new and established designers to create two dynamic womenswear looks made from fabrics that include plastic-based fibers such as chiffon, rayon, nylon and more.

These looks will be posted to Gen Art's online community where designers can create their own profile page and upload their designs as well as network with others in the designer community. Consumers can go to www.discover.genart.org and vote for their favorite looks. The winner of the contest will receive a $10,000 prize and a runway show at Gen Art's Fresh Faces event at Winter 2010 New York Fashion Week.

Beginning October 29, interested designers can submit their creations on www.discover.genart.org. All entries must be submitted by December 1 and public voting runs through December 15. The winner will be notified on December 21. To learn more about Plastics Make it Possible(SM), visit: www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com.

"In my business, I need to stay on top of trends and I love to support up-and-coming designers wherever possible," said Kaley Cuoco, who is currently starring as Penny in the third season of The Big Bang Theory. "I'm very excited to work with Plastics Make it Possible(SM) as they challenge designers to create innovative looks using plastics and recycled plastic fabrics."

The Gen Art "Fresh Faces in Fashion" show, presented by Plastics Make it Possible(SM), will take place on opening night of Rock Fashion Week in Los Angeles, October 29, at the impressive Peterson Automotive Museum. Entering its 15th year, the show traditionally draws over 1,200 attendees and has launched the careers of leading designers such as: Zac Posen, Rebecca Taylor, Shoshanna and Milly. A star-studded after-party will take place in a specially designed plastic-themed lounge after the show.

"We are thrilled to be working with Plastics Make it Possible(SM) on this multi-faceted design partnership that will showcase and benefit emerging fashion designers," said Ian Gerard, CEO of Gen Art. "We hope to help make consumers aware of the incredible variety of innovative plastic-based design fibers that most of us wear daily."

About Plastics Make it Possible(SM)

Plastics Make it Possible(SM) highlights the many ways plastics inspire innovations that improve our lives, solve big problems and help us design a safer, more promising future. Plastics Make it Possible(SM) is sponsored by the plastics industries of the American Chemistry Council. For more information, visit www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com.

About Gen Art

Gen Art is the nation's leading arts and entertainment organization dedicated to showcasing emerging fashion designers, filmmakers, musicians and visual artists. Gen Art produces over 100 events annually, ranging from weeklong film festivals to massive star-studded fashion shows, live music performances, art exhibitions, multimedia events and more. Since 1993 Gen Art has been championing the arts by creating and producing events and exhibits that have helped accelerate the careers of hundreds of young artists.

www.americanchemistry.com/newsroom

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $689 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.

Contact: Jennifer Killinger (703) 741-5833

Email: jennifer_killinger@americanchemistry.com

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091027/LA99537-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091027/LA99537LOGO-b
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN9
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Source: Plastics Make it Possible

CONTACT: Jennifer Killinger, +1-703-741-5833,
jennifer_killinger@americanchemistry.com, for Plastics Make it Possible

Web Site: http://www.plasticsmakeitpossible.com/

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