Cartoon Network Arabic partners with Swarovski Elements and designer Michael Cinco in latest project collaboration

Dubai, United Arab Emirates 7th May 2012: The next in an impressive line of partnerships was announced on the same day that Michael Cinco paid a visit to the Fashion & Design students of Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus ahead of their project conclusion of Powerpuff Girls inspired garments. The collaboration between Cartoon Network Arabic and Swarovski Elements will give students the opportunity to create crystal embellished designs that will sparkle all over the runway this May 2012.

Out of the four different design categories being worked on, the 'street wear' range will be designed with Swarovski Elements, under the mentorship of  Michael Cinco, Creative Director of Michael Cinco Haute Couture and Ingredient Branding Partner of Swarovski Middle East, who was also featured on America's Next Top Model. Cinco passed on his expertise and knowledge on combining Swarovski crystals and fabric in an exclusive work-shop at Heriot Watt University Dubai Campus.

Not only will Michael Cinco help mentor and inspire the students, he is also an official member of the judging panel who will pass his constructive feedback   onto the final designs. The students feel the challenge and excitement of being a part of The Powerpuff Girls Fashion Project which presents their talents and creativity to big fashion labels and a world renowned designer.

Swarovski Elements have also offered to take one winning student from the street wear category under their wing by offering them an internship opportunity at Swarovski Middle East, based in Dubai. The internship will offer the winner a chance to participate in various design projects as well as learning in detail how Swarovski Elements are utilized in textile design.

Nielsen Flemming, Vice President Operations South East Asia said "We are really thrilled to be part of this exciting partnership between Cartoon Network and Herriot-Watt University, together with our good partner Michael Cinco. At the same time it fits very well with our ambition of supporting young talent in the region, helping to foster relationships from the early onset of budding designers' careers.''

Christian Zeidler, Middle East Territory Manager from Turner Broadcasting System Arabia, is very excited to have a key brand on board 'We are pleased to be working with a world renowned brand like Swarovski Elements and their designer Michael Cinco, their contribution has added a lot to both the students and the project .'

As another dazzling collaboration is announced throughout this campaign, it is now definite that The Powerpuff Girls Fashion Project will provide the students with a well rounded experience that will steadily prepare them for a successful career ahead.

For more information on the project please visit: www.powerpuffgirlsfashion.ae and www.facebook.com/PPGArabia

About Swarovski
In 1895, Daniel Swarovski, a Bohemian inventor and visionary, moved to the village of Wattens, Tyrol in Austria, with his newly-invented machine for cutting and polishing crystal jewellery stones. From this beginning that revolutionized the fashion world, Swarovski has grown to be the world's leading producer of precision-cut crystal for fashion, jewellery and more recently lighting, architecture and interiors. Today, the company, still family-owned and run by 5th generation family members, has a global reach with some 26,100 employees, a presence in over 120 countries and a turnover in 2011 of 2.22 billion Euros. Swarovski comprises two major businesses, one producing and selling loose elements to the industry and the other creating design-driven finished products. Swarovski crystals have become an essential ingredient of international design. Since 1965 the company has also catered to the fine jewellery industry with precision-cut genuine gemstones and created stones. Showing the creativity that lies at the heart of the company, Swarovski's own brand lines of accessories, jewellery and home décor items are sold through more than 2,200 retail outlets worldwide. The Swarovski Crystal Society has close to 325,000 members across the world, keen collectors of the celebrated crystal figurines. And in Wattens, Swarovski Kristallwelten, the multi-media crystal museum, was opened in 1995 as a celebration of Swarovski's universe of innovation and inspiration.

About Cartoon Network Arabic
Launched in October 2010 and broadcasting free-to-air 100% Arabic content across the entire MENA region, Cartoon Network Arabic delivers a wide range of international and locally-produced kid's entertainment with hit shows including: Ben 10, Powerpuff Girls, Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack, Ben and Izzy, Freej and Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends.

The Arabic channel is the latest addition to the Cartoon Network channels available in over 22 languages, across 29 separate feeds, in 167 countries, in 248 million homes worldwide. Cartoon Network is operated by Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company.

Cartoon Network Arabic broadcasts via NILESAT 104 (Transponder E37 - Frequency 12417 MHz horizontal - 27.500MSym/s -¾) and BADR 6 (Transponder 1 - Frequency 11727 horizontal - 27500bps - ¾).

For more information please visit http://www.cartoonnetworkarabic.com/

About Turner Broadcasting
Turner Broadcasting delivers some of the world's most successful and well-known news and entertainment brands - CNN, Cartoon Network, Cartoon Network Too, Boomerang, Cartoonito, TCM (Turner Classic Movies), and Adult Swim. The company now broadcasts 18 branded channels to over 130 European, Middle Eastern and African Territories via 54 feeds in 26 languages.  With a rich history of innovation, Turner Broadcasting is continuing to push the boundaries of media being at the forefront of development with its brands via the web, VOD, DVD, gaming, mobile, merchandising, publishing and emerging platforms.

About Heriot-Watt University
With an international history dating back to 1821, Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and applied, leading-edge research. In Dubai, the university offers various undergraduate, postgraduate and foundation programmes in Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing & Retailing and Interior Design, Engineering, Business Management, Built Environment, Information Technology, and Petroleum Engineering as well as MBA.

The School of Textiles and Design has a long standing industrial presence in the UK, being voted number two in Scotland for Art and design and number six in the UK and offers both foundation & undergraduate courses for students wishing to enter Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing & Retail or Interior Design. The Dubai campus has strong industrial partners who offer internships to our much sought after students. The programmes are developed to ensure students graduate with strong comprehensive skills that are essential for entering the working world of their chosen discipline.

Heriot-Watt was named number one in its home country of Scotland by the Sunday Times Newspaper's University Guide and has an unsurpassed global in-country presence. Degree programmes are delivered to 11,800 students from 150 countries around the world. Heriot-Watt University, Dubai Campus started in Dubai International Academic City in 2005.

For more information, please visit: http://www.hw.ac.uk/dubai.htm

© Press Release 2012