NEW YORK, August 25 /PRNewswire/ --

- Samsung Electronics to Unveil Program During New York & London Fashion Week with the Premiere of The Red Thread: The Inspiration and Passion of Valentino Garavani

Samsung Electronics, the global and U.S. market leader in HDTV, announced today a new, ground-breaking cultural initiative, The Samsung Imagination Icon Series, bringing consumers an intimate perspective into the worlds of fashion, art and design. The first of the series, The Red Thread: The Inspiration and Passion of Valentino Garavani, will use rich imagery, sound, and state-of-the-art HDTV technology to explore Valentino's passionate pursuit of flawless design. The Red Thread: The Inspiration and Passion of Valentino Garavani will feature exclusive footage from Matt Tyrnauer's upcoming film, "Valentino: The Last Emperor." The Samsung Imagination Icon Series will premiere during New York and London Fashion Week this September.

Samsung Electronics is launching this innovative new marketing platform to engage directly with the lives and cultural passions of their consumers. The Samsung Imagination Icon Series is a celebration of outstanding individuals who share Samsung's passion for beauty and creativity and will periodically honor visionaries from the worlds of fashion, art and design, through global exhibitions, interactive online components and events that applaud each icon's achievements.

"Samsung Electronics is proud to announce Valentino as the first honoree in the Samsung Imagination Icon Series, a program that we have launched to bring consumers an intimate look into the worlds of fashion, art and design," said Sue Shim, Senior Vice President of Global Brand Strategy for Samsung Electronics. "We at Samsung Electronics recognize and identify with Valentino's endless pursuit of perfection, his ability to look ahead of the curve, his risk-taking and his eye for beauty -- all in the name of flawless design."

By using the latest in their HDTV technology, Samsung will present Valentino's talent and work with a passion and ingenuity that complement Valentino's iconic design. Revolutionizing the way in which the culture experiences artistic achievement, Samsung will invite the public to engage in Valentino's creative process firsthand. Traditionally, those attending exhibitions have only been able to view art and images from arm's length; now, by using their latest HDTV technology, Samsung Electronics will give consumers the opportunity to immerse themselves into the exhibit and indulge their senses -- to take a closer look, feel his designs and hear the world as experienced by Valentino Garavani.

The Red Thread: The Inspiration and Passion of Valentino Garavani will tell the story of Valentino's life, career, legacy and his intricate process of design through Samsung's latest in HDTVs and Full HD camcorders. The exhibit will feature a selection of Valentino's original couture gowns, sketch prints of his designs, images from his shows, collections and exclusive footage from the upcoming film "Valentino: The Last Emperor." To tell this story, Samsung Electronics will utilize their latest generation HDTVs with Touch of Color finish as well as their Full HD camcorders.

The Red Thread: The Inspiration and Passion of Valentino Garavani New York Exhibition will be open to the public from Thursday, September 4th through Wednesday, September 10th from 12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., on the north side of The Grace Building in New York City (1114 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street). Admission is free.

The Red Thread: The Inspiration and Passion of Valentino Garavani London Exhibition will be open to the public from Sunday, September 14th through Friday, September 19th from 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., at The Hospital Club (24 Endell Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9HQ). Admission is free. **Please note that the exhibit will be closed on September 17th starting at 4 p.m. for a private event.**

Additionally, consumers can visit The Samsung Experience Store at The Time Warner Center in New York City, which will feature an in-store digital installation on Samsung's Imagination Icon Series.

For more information on The Samsung Imagination Icon Series: The Red Thread: The Inspiration and Passion of Valentino Garavani, please logon to redthread.samsung.com.

About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., markets a broad range of award-winning, advanced digital consumer electronics and home appliance products, including HDTVs, home theater systems, MP3 players, mobile phones, refrigerators and laundry machines. A recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology, Samsung is the HDTV market leader in the U.S. and globally and is the only manufacturer that produces all four major digital television technologies. Please visit www.samsung.com for more information.

Web site: http://redthread.samsung.com http://www.samsung.com

Shawn Purdy, Shawn.Purdy@pmkhbh.com, or Christina Stejskal, Christina.Stejskal@pmkhbh.com, both of PMK-HBH, +1-212-582-1111, for Samsung Electronics America, Inc.