AOL Latino Debuts ‘Fashionista,’ a New Fashion Online Reality Show

First of Its Kind Interactive Reality Series Features Nationwide Search for the Next Hot Latino Fashion Designer

Exclusively Sponsored by Mercury Milan; Featuring Dayanara Torres and Eduardo Lucero

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AOL Latino, the leading bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics, today announced the premiere of a new interactive online reality series called “Fashionista” (http://www.aollatino.com) where contestants will compete to be named the top Latino fashion designer. The winner will have the opportunity to design a red carpet gown for actress/model and ex Miss Universe Dayanara Torres. The winner will also showcase his designs in the pages of a leading Hispanic magazine. Mercury Milan will be the exclusive sponsor of the program.

“The Fashionista program is a continuation of Mercury's fashion strategy. We know that our Mercury Milan target is keenly interested in fashion and this is a real Hispanic passion point”

“AOL Latino prides itself in being able to create innovative multiplatform bilingual programming targeted to today’s Hispanic,” said Mark Lopez, publisher, AOL Latino. “We are thrilled to partner with Mercury Milan to offer fashionistas the chance to showcase their talent to a nationwide online audience, and provide users the chance to pick the next Oscar de la Renta or Carolina Herrera.”

“The Fashionista program is a continuation of Mercury's fashion strategy. We know that our Mercury Milan target is keenly interested in fashion and this is a real Hispanic passion point,” said Dave Rodriguez, multicultural marketing manager, Ford Lincoln Mercury. “Partnering with AOL Latino and offering this program digitally, is right in tune with our customers and the excitement of fashion.”

To kick off the competition, AOL Latino’s fashion editors picked the Top 20 designers from hundreds of submissions from up-and-coming Latino fashion designers. AOL Latino users will be able to vote for their favorites, ultimately selecting the five semifinalists. The ultimate winner will be chosen by a panel of judges including Torres and leading LA fashion designer Eduardo Lucero.

As part of the program, contestants will have the opportunity to create and manage their own Web pages using AOL Latino’s social networking service, Latino AIM Pages (http://latino.aimpages.com). Each page will include headshots, photos, bios, updates and blog entries.

About Mercury Milan

The Mercury Milan has helped bring new energy and new customers to the Mercury showroom with its style and strong value. The Milan appeals to new, younger customers while reflecting Mercury’s identity: sophisticated design, stylish and functional interiors, and rewarding, city-tuned driving traits. The expressive exterior and high-end interior are aimed squarely at “smart contrarians” Latinos who have chosen to rebel against the culturally-driven tendency to make safe choices and avoid risk. They shop outside mainstream brands to find clothes, furniture and home accessories to match their unique tastes. More information about the Mercury Milan can be found at: www.estilomercury.com.

About AOL® Latino

AOL® Latino (http://www.aollatino.com) is the leading bilingual portal for U.S. Hispanics that provides comprehensive Spanish language products and services including free email, instant messaging, photo sharing, and English classes. The service also offers U.S. and Latin American news, financial tools, the latest in music and entertainment, personal finance, sports, fashion and beauty, as well as access to all the existing content available on AOL (http://www.aol.com).

About AOL

AOL® is a global Web services company that operates some of the most popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and services, runs one of the country's largest Internet access businesses, and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC is based in Dulles, Virginia. AOL and its subsidiaries also have operations in Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com.