Snoopy Gets Designers' Touch

This September, The Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week 207 will be paying a great tribute to one of the most iconic cartoon characters of all time, Snoopy and the Peanuts.

The fashion presentation, organized by Insurance and financial service provider Metlife will showcase designs from top designers namely Heatherette, Isaac Mizrahi, Betsey Johnson, and Pamella Roland, all inspired by their favorite Peanuts characters to create a couture runway outfit that will make a bold leap from just black and white sketches to vibrant colors.

"Peanuts and the fashion industry have a unique history. Gianni Versace, Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld, Oleg Cassini, Fendi, and countless other fashion notables have designed fashion for Snoopy and her sister Belle, which have been exhibited in fashion capitals in the U.S., Europe and Japan," says Jeannie Schulz, wife of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz.

"Knowing that Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang inspire amazing creativity, I am filled with curiosity and and anticipation to see these 21st Century designs on the runway at the Metlife's Snoopy in Fashion Event in September," she added.

Prior to the event, scheduled to kick off on 7th September 27 at 6.00 p.m ET as part of the most anticipated Fashion Week of the year, will enable both Peanuts fans and fashionistas to share opportunity in bidding for the one-off runway collection in a follow-up auction that will be run on Internet's top auction site eBay.

Proceeds from the sales will benefit Dress for Success, a non-profit organization which promotes the economic independence of disadvantage women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools that helps them to thrive in both career and life.

"A company with celebrated history of corporate citizenship, Metlife is delighted to be the 'top dog' sponsoring Snoopy in Fashion," said Beth Hirschhorn , senior vice president for Metlife's Global Brand and Marketing Services. "For more than 20 years, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang have embodied the dependability, security and warmth associated with Metlife's brand. As we proudly step onto the catwalk with couture for charity, we recognize the scores of women that Dress for Success benefits and are very pleased to be contributing towards helping them achieve their hopes and dreams - the 'its' in life."

For designer Isaac Mizrahi, Peanuts represents 'a theme in my childhood to do with not fitting in, with being an outsider'. "The Peanuts characters, especially Charlie Brown, made the issue of being different easy to understand and gave it a resolution. The outsiders were as wonderful and glamorous as the insiders."

So if you want to top up your Peanuts memorabilia collection and at the same time doing your bid for good causes then don't forget to bid for the exclusive one-off runway pieces created by the top designers, all inspired by the quirky and witty Peanut characters.

*Photos courtesy of Snoopy.com.