Oscar Night Red Carpet Fashion Announcements: $400K Famous Diamond Clutch Unveiled on Red Carpet

PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actress, Janet McTeer and "China's Leading Lady," Li Bingbing, will both wear individually-customized, American alligator and exotic leather, haute couture, diamond pave, LANA MARKS Brand Cleopatra Clutches during their camera-clicking Red Carpet walks at the 84th Annual Oscar Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120226/CL59772 )

Based in Palm Beach, FL, Lana J. Marks has been a fashion fixture on Oscar's Red Carpet for more than a decade. She is one of the world's most-prestigious designers of elegant, exquisite and expensive handbags and accessories, according to many top fashion magazine editors. LANA MARKS Brand haute couture Collections are commissioned and worn by princesses, U.S. presidential first ladies and Hollywood celebrities.

CAST OF CLEOPATRA CLUTCH CELEBRITIES

Cleopatra Clutches are valued as high as $400,000.00. They are the most sought-after Oscar Night haute couture handbags; worn by Academy Award-Winning actresses, nominees, presenters and motion picture icons. Cleopatra Clutch Celebrities have included Angelina Jolie, Charlize Theron, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Aniston and Kate Winslet.

In 2007, Mirren won the "Best Actress Award" for her role as "Queen Elizabeth II." As she stepped-up to the microphone for her acceptance speech, Mirren held the Cleopatra Clutch in her hand for the world to see and proclaimed, "Here I am…with my purse."

LANA MARKS' Cleopatra Clutch design was inspired by Elizabeth Taylor's starring role in the 1963 epic motion picture, "Cleopatra."

OSCAR FIRST: TWO CLEOPATRA CLUTCHES ON RED CARPET

This is the first time Lana J. Marks has provided two Cleopatra Clutches to actresses attending the Academy Awards Ceremony.

As in the case of McTeer, Marks typically provides a custom Cleopatra Clutch to a nominee or presenter. However, this year, she is furnishing a second Cleopatra Clutch to Li Bingbing; because she is the first Chinese actress to be invited to the Oscar Ceremonies; and because Marks is expanding her enterprise in China. Marks opened her first China boutique in Beijing 18 months ago. Marks will open a second boutique in China's capital city on March 10, 2012 and her first Shanghai boutique on March 11, 2012.

JANET MCTEER, OSCAR NOMINATED BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

In the film "Albert Nobbs," British actress Janet McTeer stars opposite Glenn Close as a cross-dressing lesbian in 1890s Ireland. Close has been nominated for the Academy's Best Actress Award. This is McTeer's second Oscar nomination. She is a two-time Tony Award Winner.

LI BINGBING: "CHINA'S LEADING LADY"

Li Bingbing is the most-famous actress in China. She recently starred in the critically-acclaimed Chinese-made motion picture, "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan." Li Bingbing co-produced the movie with Wendy Murdoch, the wife of global media mogul Rupert Murdoch. She is considered the most-influential movie-maker in Asia.

Lana J. Marks was first introduced to Li Bingbing and Wendy Murdoch in October 2011 at China's Shanghai Film Festival.

JANET MCTEER CLEOPATRA CLUTCH
-- All Details Withheld Until Oscar Nominee Arrives on Red Carpet Sunday Night --

...AND THE $400K CLUTCH WINNER IS….. LI BINGBING, CHINA'S LEADING LADY
-- 1600 Fully-Faceted White Diamonds -- Hand Pave -- Total: 40 Carats --
-- 18 Carat White Gold Front Flap -- Metallic Silver American Alligator Leather from Louisiana --
-- Custom-Made Li Bingbing Edition Includes These Special Features --
-- 2 Carats Natural Pink Diamond Pave -- 18 Carat Pink Gold Front Flap --
-- Diamond Script Executed in Lana J. Marks Penmanship: "Li Bingbing" On Front of Clutch

ABOUT LANA MARKS
-- Resides in Palm Beach, FL -- Married to Neville Marks, MD, Prominent Psychiatrist
-- International Headquarters & Showroom: Palm Beach's Famous Worth Avenue -- 
-- U.S. Boutiques: Madison Avenue, New York, NY -- Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, CA -- 
-- Overseas Primary Boutiques: Beijing, CN -- Dubai, UA -- London, UK -- Moscow, RU -- 
-- 2011: Featured Panel Judge on CW Network's "America's Next Top Model" --

THE START 
-- 1984: Invited to Attend Royal Birthday Celebration Aboard Queen Elizabeth II Yacht, Britannia -- 
-- Unable to Find Red Alligator Handbag to Accessorize Purple & Red Suit for Royal Occasion -- 
-- Designs Unique Vivid Red Color Alligator Handbag in Shape of Lunch Box with Handle -- 
-- Lunch Box Handbag Becomes First LANA MARKS Signature Piece -- 
-- Never-Before-Seen Style is Sweeping Success in New York, London, Paris, The World --

PURVEYOR OF PURSES FOR PRINCESS & PRESIDENTIAL WIVES 
-- Called Upon by News Media to Speak About Relationship with Diana, Princess of Wales -- 
-- 1995: Princes Diana Commissions Marks for Custom Handbag in Princess' Name -- 
-- At time, Marks, Already Respected, Globally-Recognized Fashion Designer -- 
-- Princess Diana Commission Now Places Marks in Class of Her Own -- 
-- Business Relationship Quickly Blossoms Into Personal Relationship -- 
-- Marks Becomes Princess Diana's Trusted Confidante -- 
-- Over-The-Years Princess Diana Commissions Marks to Design Other Handbags & Accessories -- 
-- 1997 Photo: Ostrich Belt Looped Through Khakis on African Red Cross Landmine Mission --
-- 2004: Commissioned by First Lady Laura Bush for Several Custom Couture Handbags -- 
-- LANA MARKS Handbags Seen at President George W. Bush's Second Inaugural & Galas -- 
-- 2011: Commissioned Two Handbags by Prince Harry's Girlfriend, Chelsy Davy -- 
-- Worn at Westminster Abbey Royal Wedding Ceremony & Buckingham Palace Reception --

www.LANAMARKS.com

LANA MARKS Department of Public Relations
[email protected]  
561-222-5002
561-655-3155

SOURCE LANA MARKS