Hublot & Manchester United: Shanghai Fashion Event

Shanghai, July 26, 2012 – Hublot presented an exceptional fashion show in partnership with the world's most famous football club, Manchester United. A group of footballing stars, including Rio Ferdinand, Javier Hernandez, and Shinji Kagawa, participated in this event along with first team manager Sir Alex Ferguson. They took to the catwalk to showcase a collection of iconic Hublot timepieces.

The Legendary 'Red Devils' Take to the Catwalk

Manchester United's First Runway Show in China Combines Football and Fashion, in Hublot's "Art of Fusion"

After the fashion show, Sir Alex Ferguson and Hublot's Brand Director in China, Loic Biver, presided over a live charity auction the proceeds of which will benefit the 'United for UNICEF' partnership, helping UNICEF to give every child the best start in life. Hublot prepared an exclusive timepiece for the auction; this was an exact replica of those manufactured specially for the Manchester United squad, made exclusive by the inclusion of Sir Alex Ferguson's signature, engraved on the reverse.

A footballing giant with over a century of history and glittering with honours, Manchester United have a splendid record of success and have become the world's best-supported team. In 2008, Hublot proudly became Manchester United's "Official Timekeeping Partner", in the first partnership of its kind between a luxury watch brand and a football club.

To mark the partnership, Hublot have developed three limited edition watches named after the Red Devils, highlighting the solidarity between the two iconic brands. The third edition of Hublot's official Manchester United timepiece, the King Power Red Devil, even incorporates real blades of grass from the hallowed turf of the legendary Old Trafford pitch, embedded in each index on its dial. Perfectly demonstrating the 'Art of Fusion,' Hublot here acknowledge their football partner through exquisite design.

"We are happy to be in China and to be able to bring such a fantastic fashion and charity event to Shanghai," said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "Money raised for the United for UNICEF partnership is invaluable in protecting the lives of young people across the world, and we are pleased to be able to harness the power of our partnership with Hublot to help that cause."

"At Hublot, we pride ourselves on embodying the 'Art of Fusion,' which is perfectly demonstrated by our partnership with Manchester United. We both strongly believe in sharing and giving, so we hope that the footballing spirit of Manchester United, combined with the watchmaking expertise and the power of the Hublot brand, can open up unlimited possibilities for charitable initiatives," said Loic Biver.

Manchester United players, including Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, and Shinji Kagawa, took to the catwalk to showcase a unique collection of Hublot timepieces. Highly professional, they each provided their own take on the transition from sporting hero to model.

Before the fashion show, Sir Alex Ferguson was also invited to attend the opening ceremony of Hublot's brand new boutique, located on Nanjing Road West 1079. The new store design adheres to Hublot's distinguished style, the decor incorporating low-key but simultaneously luxurious elements. Within the boutique, customers are able to observe the watchmaking procedure through a 'magic showcase.'

About Manchester United

Manchester United are the world's most famous football club, and have enjoyed unparalleled success over the years. The Club represents tenacity and passion, the 'Red Devil' spirit setting the team apart as something of a living legend. Hublot and Manchester United cemented their partnership in 2008, when Hublot proudly became Manchester United's "Official Timekeeping Partner" in the first alliance of its kind between a luxury watch brand and a football club. Since then, the partnership has gone from strength to strength.

About United for UNICEF

Manchester United were the first football club to take the initiative in developing an active partnership between UNICEF and the world of football. United for UNICEF was launched in 1999 and is the longest running collaboration between a Premier League football club and a global charity. To date, the club has raised over £2 million, helping over 2.2 million children worldwide. Manchester United were one of the first corporate partners to sign up to support UNICEF's five-year global children and AIDS campaign, Unite for Children Unite against AIDS.

Manchester United's partnership with UNICEF under the 'United for UNICEF' brand is managed by the Manchester United Foundation (Trading) Limited.

About Hublot and the story of Fusion - Hublot made its name 30 years ago when it became the first Swiss watch luxury brand to fuse precious metals with functional rubber, sparking a revolution for material innovation and aesthetics. In 2004, Jean-Claude Biver – one of the few men to have genuinely made their mark on Swiss watchmaking – gave Hublot a refreshing new boost and revolutionized watchmaking with the creation of the "Big Bang." This multiple award-winning chronograph with a contemporary and elegant design marked the start of the spectacular success of the brand. Today, with the new high-tech Hublot watch manufacturing plant near Geneva, building on the brand's impressive growth, he continues to write the story of the 'Art of Fusion.' It is the pioneering combination of materials like ceramic, carbon, tantalum, tungsten, titanium and rubber with traditional, time-tested materials such as gold, platinum, steel, diamonds and precious stones – remaining true to the Swiss tradition, yet enriched with the visionary creativity of the 21st century - that sets Hublot apart. For more information on Hublot visit Hublot.com.

Press Release