Figure Skating in Harlem Hosts 2013 Skating with the Stars Gala Honoring Fashion Designer B Michael and Journalist Andrea Joyce

NEW YORK, April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrated American couturier and ready-to-wear designer B Michael was recently honored along with Emmy®-nominated sportscaster Andrea Joyce, at Figure Skating in Harlem's 2013 Skating with the Stars Gala at Trump Rink in Central Park.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130410/NY91702 )

The Skating with the Stars Gala is Figure Skating in Harlem's (FSH) annual benefit where the world's greatest skaters, celebrities, corporate and community leaders come together for a fun-filled evening of ice skating at the Trump Rink in Central Park. Esteemed guests and attendees experienced the thrill of skating side-by-side with their favorite Olympians.  Guests also had the opportunity to bid on exciting auction items to benefit the deserving young girls of Figure Skating Harlem, including an evening gown from B Michael America Couture Collection and front row tickets to the Couture Show during New York Fashion Week this September.

"I am humbled by this recognition from Figure Skating in Harlem," says B Michael, creative director and founder of b michael AMERICA.  "It is an honor to help these wonderful young ladies and empower them to reach for and achieve their dreams. They are the real stars, and it is important that we all continue to help them shine."  The occasion was doubly rewarding for B Michael, as the esteemed designer also launched his latest ready-to-wear collection, b michael AMERICA RED, available at select retailers, including select Macy's stores nationwide. For more information, please visit http://www.bmichaelamerica.com.

Of the event Andrea Joyce says, "I am truly delighted to be part of the Figure Skating in Harlem Skating with the Stars Gala.  Through my work as a sports reporter at NBC, I have developed a true appreciation and love for figure skating and have learned firsthand the vital importance of an organization like FSH.  I salute the dedication and commitment of the students, staff and supporters!"

The 2013 Gala Event Chairs are:  Kenneth Chenault, CEO and Chairman of American Express, and his wife Kathryn Chenault; 2012 honoree Ellen Lowey; Terry J. Lundgren, CEO, Chairman of the Board, President and Director of Macy's Inc., and his wife, Tina Lundgren.  The event's Honorary Chairs are phenomenal actresses Phylicia Rashad, Tamara Tunie, and Cicely Tyson.  Co-Chairs include: Allison Schneirov Fisch, Candace S. Matthews and Teresa A. Teague. 

Among the notable attendees present were:  actor Federico Castelluccio, Sharon Cohen, Mark-Anthony Edwards, Kenneth Chenault, Kathryn Chenault, David Frei, Frederic Fekkai, Gregory Generet, Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan, Ellen Lowey, Terry Lundgren, Tina Lundgren, Star Jones, LuAnn de Lesseps, Rhonda Ross, Allison Schneirov-Fisch, Candace S. Matthews, Jean Shafiroff, Harry Smith, Tamara Tunie and Vera Wang.  Also in attendance were some of the biggest stars from the ice skating world, including:  Nicole Bobek, Dick Button, Sasha Cohen, Javier Fernandez, Tim Goebel, Scott Hamilton, Emily Hughes, Sarah Hughes, Tara Lipinski, Evan Lysacek, Kimmie Meisner, Adam Rippon, JoJo Starbuck, Teresa A. Teague, Johnny Weir and Paul Wylie.

Highlights of the event included a lovely performance by Figure Skating in Harlem students, who skated to Palladio and Alicia Key's Girl on Fire as dusk settled in.  Vera Wang also took to the ice, and all guests were then transported to the Central Park Boathouse for festive lakeside cocktails and dinner.

Now in its 16th season, Figure Skating in Harlem is the first non-profit organization of its kind, combining the power of education with the discipline of figure skating to transform young lives and help underserved girls achieve academic success, physical health and emotional well-being.  Founded in 1997 by Sharon Cohen, Figure Skating Harlem's vision is to empower every young girl, regardless of her socio-economic background, with the foundational academic, social and leadership skills to achieve her dreams. 

Contacts:

Helen Shelton
Finn Partners for b michael AMERICA
212.593.6443
[email protected]

Jennifer Niederhoffer
Figure Skating in Harlem
917.699.2939
[email protected]

SOURCE b michael AMERICA