Hottest New Fashion Accessory? The BMW Motorcycle

    WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.--May 9, 2002--How about a Swarovski crystal BMW cruiser to go with that evening dress? Or a sporty F 650 CS to accent that denim jacket?
    Fashion industry insiders are featuring stylish motorcycles as fashion accessories at this week's femme apparel and accessories trade show, which runs May 8-10 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center during New York Market Week.
    BMW of North America, LLC, the U.S. distributor of German luxury/performance automobiles and motorcycles, has partnered with Swarovski, the renowned purveyor of cut crystal, to create a custom-edition BMW 1200 Cruiser adorned with over 200,000 faceted crystal stones. A hand-applied assortment of crystal in topaz, sapphire and black diamond shades compliment the Cruiser's tailored chrome and polished aluminum detailing, fine leather trim and twin-cylinder engine, making the "Crystal Cruiser" like a couture dress on wheels. Safety-conscious divas can ride safely and protect their up-do with the matching Swarovski crystal-detailed helmet.
    "What better way to make a dramatic entrance than on a stunning motorcycle that complements a stunning outfit. It's as red carpet as you can get," commented Leon Hall, fashion expert and co-host of the popular series "Fashion Emergency" on the E! Entertainment Television Network.
    The Swarovski/BMW Cruiser, along with the newly introduced BMW F 650 CS, will be on display at femme through Friday, May 10. The "Crystal Cruiser" turned heads throughout 2002 Oscar Week, as it was used to deliver Daniel Swarovski handbags and Jimmy Choo and Stuart Weitzman "Oscar Collection" footwear, adorned with Swarovski crystal, to Hollywood luminaries such as Carolyn Murphy, Jada Pinkett Smith, Halle Berry and Jennifer Lopez. The bike will soon be auctioned for the benefit of the Children's Miracle Network. femme, an event by MAGIC International's East Coast Fashion Group, is the largest apparel and accessories trade show under one roof in New York, with over 1,200 lines and a vast amount of new resources. The show is open to fashion trade representatives and journalists from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm Wednesday, May 8; 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Thursday, May 9; and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Friday, May 10.

    BMW Group in America

    BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975. Since then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations for the BMW, BMW Motorcycles and MINI brands; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; DESIGNWORKS/USA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. The BMW Group is represented in the U.S. through a network of 341 car, 321 Sports Activity Vehicle and 153 motorcycle retailers. BMW US Holding Corp., the Group's headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
    Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the World Wide Web on the BMW homepage at http://www.bmwusa.com, http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com and http://www.miniusa.com.

    Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address - www.press.bmwgroup.com.