STARLIGHT TO SCANDINAVIAN CHIC…CROSS® PRESENTS AN “ICE GALAXY” OF ACCESSORIES THIS FALL

From Scandinavian chic to starry influences, designers have imbued their fall collections with a wintry mix of inspirations, capturing both the cool allure of celestial patterns and the cozy appeal of Nordic skiwear. CROSS brings these very current elements to its own pace-setting accessories collection for fall – a veritable “Ice Galaxy” of designs.

The CROSS constellation of products includes striking writing instruments and new over-sized business totes that take a cue from old-world travel bags, but forge a forward vision of how to manage our modern tech marvels in style.

REACHING FOR THE STARS
Glistening celestial-inspired patterns beamed on the fall fashion runways, and CROSS has infused this spirit into a radiant new pen collection – Century® II Starlight. The subtle sparkle of engraved stars captivates, set against a backdrop of pearlescent midnight blue, sky blue, or twilight gray. The inlaid sterling silver star pattern creates a glimmering jewel-like effect, using a proprietary random-engraving technique that is unique to CROSS. A curvaceous clip adds to the feminine attraction of this pen. Destined to shine as a timeless icon of style, the Starlight pen by CROSS will twinkle for the first time in September when it arrives at CROSS stores, select retailers, and at the company’s website, www.cross.com. Suggested retail prices are: fountain pen $95; Selectip® rolling ball pen $80; ball-point pen $65.

NOD TO NORDIC
The CROSS Quasar pen invokes one of fall’s most popular themes, a modern interpretation of the classic Scandinavian folk patterns found in winter woolies.The Quasar pattern, with its contemporary twist on a traditional star design, boldly wraps around the body of the pen against a snowy white field. Quasars are among the most luminous objects in the known universe. Distant and bright, they seem to reflect the very essence of winter -- at once barren, but also filled with warmth and wonder. The limited edition Quasar pen, in Infra Red, Ice Blue, or Ultra Violet shades with chrome plated appointments - suggested retail price $60 - lands this October. Matching notebooks with the Quasar design will be available in three sizes, ranging in price from $6 to $10.

SPRUCE IT UP
Take your travel journal to your winter destinations, from Telluride to the Ice Hotel, and note your après-ski pastimes with an apropos pen. The CROSS ATX® pen in its new celestial blue, spruce, and eggplant hues, has a sleek design with a gently tapered barrel, and a lustrous finish that makes this smooth writing instrument a fashionable and dependable companion. Available in August, it will come in three writing technologies - fountain pen (s.r.p.: $85); Selectip rolling ball pen, (s.r.p.: $70) ; ball-point pen (s.r.p.: $55).

LIP SMACKING SHINE
Luscious lacquer adorns this chic, petite pen, the CROSS Compact. Echoing the dramatic lip colors for fall, the new Compact pen makes a sophisticated statement in hues of magenta and violet, as well as black and satin chrome. The pen’s decorative satin chrome rings evoke a luxurious lipstick tube – both essential elements for a poised and polished presence. Featuring full functionality in a convenient, smaller size, the CROSS Compact tucks comfortably into a purse, pocket, or padfolio (it pairs perfectly with all CROSS leather jotters and agendas, too). The Compact is available in fountain pen (s.r.p.: $90) and ball-point pen (s.r.p.: $65). The pen extends a half-inch when the cap is on.

A NEED FOR TWEED… OR METALLIC-MANIA?
Look no further than the new CROSS collection of business totes to get your fall fix for fabulous tweed. This great new assortment of bags lets you tote your high-tech treasures – from standard laptop to your not-so-standard Porsche phone – in total sync with the styles of the season. The new biz bags incorporate all of the necessary pockets, as well as a protective padded compartment for your computer. Decorative touches - hip hardware, contrast stitching and leather trim – accent the gorgeous tweeds and other durable fabrics that are ideal for those particularly tough treks. Each tote includes a complimentary accessory pen that can tuck into the concealed, exterior pen pocket.

If you prefer, get glam with the new metallic totes in the CROSS Town Computer Bag CollectionTM . It’s all about sophisticated shine this fall – giving a daily lift to the season’s saturated and sometimes somber shades. These new biz bags feature a stunning hematite or blue-hued finish in a stylish, lightweight fabric (attractive, too, for its simple shape and contours, as well as super-sized space).

The Cross Town Computer Bag Collection of totes, inspired by women on-the-go in Manhattan, includes four styles (Chelsea, Gramercy, Sutton, Madison), with fabric selections of brown or black tweed, a quilted pattern in red or black, or two metallic-colored bags. The collection ranges in price from $150-$195 (suggested retail prices).

All CROSS writing instruments come with a lifetime mechanical guarantee, underscoring the company’s commitment to exceptional craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. CROSS products may be purchased at CROSS stores, at its website www.cross.com, and through select retailers.