Celebs Judge JCPenney Cinderella Design Competition

Charlotte Ronson, Katie Holmes, and Nina Garcia at JCPenney’s Design Collaboration

Today in New York, Actress Katie Holmes and Designer Charlotte Ronson kicked off New York Fashion Week at a special brunch to promote JCPenney’s retail collaboration with Disney to promote the release of “Cinderella,” a live-action feature film inspired by the classic fairy tale debuting in theaters on March 13. The brunch featured a Project Runway style competition with nine students from the Fashion School at Kent State University  live sketching their interpretation of a modern day fairy tale look using Cinderella’s actual dress from the film as inspiration.  The sketches were judged by Katie Holmes, JCPenney Style Voice Nina Garcia and JCPenney designer partner Charlotte Ronson. 

Katie Holmes poses with a costume from the upcoming Cinderella film

The winner of the live sketch competition was Jay Lewis.  Jay Lewis’ sketch will be produced by JCPenney and displayed at the Manhattan Mall location as well as a $5,000 scholarship to assist with his/her continued education at Kent State University.

The sketch competition is one of many marketing tactics that JCPenney is using to create awareness for their new selection of “Cinderella” products coming to the Disney shop inside JCPenney.   The “Cinderella”themed merchandise  now online at JCP is inspired by the original animated Disney film including role-play dresses and accessories, as well as plush toys, dolls, figurines and a tea set. Apparel pieces include graphic tees, nightshirts, a tulle dress and more. A special deluxe ball gown costume and set of make-believe “glass” slippers reflecting Cinderella’s look from the new live-action film are also available.  If you love Cinderella, here’s  a special deal.  From Feb. 19-April 15, customers that spend $25 or more on any Disney Collection purchase will receive a free, reusable “Cinderella” tote bag.