Fall runway trends hit the clothing racks - and the card racks

Contact: Megan Ferington or Frank Cirillo, 216.252.4938

Cleveland, Ohio (August 2007) – The fashions that grace the runways in New York, Paris and Milan influence more than just the next big clothing trends. The colors, fabrics, textures and patterns that emerge as the season’s signature looks often appear elsewhere thanks to fashion’s far-reaching impact. While it may come as little surprise that home décor accents, makeup looks and hairstyles often revolve around on what’s popular on runways, the designers and illustrators at American Greetings are heavily influenced by the fashion world as well. In fact, the newest collection of cards incorporates many of the top Fall 2007 fashion trends that graced the runways this past winter.

Sparkle and Shine

• Sequins and all-things glitz were the most popular finishings in nearly every collection on the Fall 2007 fashion runways for both day and evening looks. And just as metallic accents and sparkling embellishments are starting to appear in stores on everything from tuxedo shirts to simple knits to elegant gowns, many new cards from American Greetings have similar features. Look for light-reflecting, attention-grabbing “extras”, like foil, glitter, iridescent colors and even bright flashing lights on cards this fall.

Prints and Patterns

• Most of the Fall 2007 collections backed away from the bright, bold patterns of popular summer fashions and instead gravitated toward solid designs with a few delicate, feminine prints intermingled throughout the line. This same plain-print balance is also playing out in greeting cards, with many utilizing clean designs that make use of words and fonts as art and a select number featuring brocade patterns of leaves, flowers and other natural elements reminiscent of the season.

Textures Take Over

• With the departure of humidity and heat and the arrival of cool, crisp temperatures, the fashion focus for fall this year involves a return to layers and the incorporation of various tactile elements. Just as runway staples like hand-knit fabrics and warm textures are emerging in boutiques and department stores, their influence can be seen in the American Greetings card aisle as many new designs feature similar traits, including embossed elements and velour-like finishings, that give each card a cozy, keepsake, hand-made quality.

Complimentary Colors

• The bright colors of summer still have a place in Fall 2007 fashions, but instead of taking the forefront, designers are using them as accents against darker, more traditional fall hues of gray, navy, chocolate and black. On the clothing racks, jewel tones like deep magenta, emerald and cobalt blue along with bright yellow, orange and various shades of purple are peaking out among the sea of darker shades. Designers and illustrators at American Greetings have incorporated many of the same color pairings on new cards for fall to reflect the feelings and fashions of the season.

Look for the new collection of fall cards from American Greetings for birthday, wedding, thank you, “thinking of you” and more at participating drug chains, grocery stores and super centers nationwide as well as in American Greetings and Carlton Cards retail stores. Visit www.americangreetings.com/retailers for store locations.

About American Greetings Corporation
American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of social expressions products and greeting cards. Its product lines include gift wrap, party goods, stationery, calendars, ornaments and electronic greetings. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual net sales of approximately $1.7 billion. For more information on the company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.