COUNTER COUTURE DESIGNER, GARO SPARO STARS IN NEW SUNDANCE CHANNEL ORIGINAL SERIES "UNLEASHED BY GARO"

SIX-PART SERIES PREMIERES FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th at 9:00pm ET/PT AS PART OF "FULL FRONTAL FASHION"

East Village Personality Gives Clients the Freedom to Make a Fashion Declaration

New York, NY August 1, 2011 - Rebelling against the dictates of fashion, designer Garo Sparo, is the star of Sundance Channel's unconventional make-over series, "Unleashed by Garo." The six-episode series follows Garo and his staff who give their clients the freedom to make their own fashion declaration. Part-time psychiatrist and full-time dream weaver, Garo deems the process 'Design Therapy.' Garo, who has designed garments for a range of clientele from celebrities such as Madonna, Lady Miss Kier and Daphne Guinness, to every day divas, will bring his fashion philosophy to Sundance Channel for an hour every Friday night beginning September 9th.

"Fashion gives you a choice. You can hide behind it, or use it to express yourself," says Garo. "I can use fashion and design to transform anyone that walks through the door; it's all about finding that thing in a person that ignites change."

Eccentric in his own right, Garo's relationship with his client is just as significant as the design itself. Each episode begins with an intimate consultation, where clients unveil the story that has brought them to the East Village design studio. Insisting on blind-folded fittings and full creative control, Garo helps his clients battle their inhibitions and unleash their true selves.

"Garo is the perfect fit for Sundance Channel. He's independent, innovative, highly creative and driven by a mix of idealism and talent." said Sarah Barnett, General Manager, Sundance Channel. "The show celebrates everyday people who are dealing with real issues and they leave Garo's studio uplifted and ready to conquer the next phase of their lives."

"UNLEASHED BY GARO" EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS:

"CAN I PULL YOU A LITTLE BIT TIGHTER?"

Friday, September 9th at 9:00pm

Independent couture designer, Garo, makes clothes to measure your dimensions ... and your soul. Monica just moved to New York and has never felt like the beautiful girl she always wanted to be. Garo must push her to overcome the ridicule of her childhood and reveal what's been inside her all this time. Claudia is looking for a dress to honor her mother's passing, which happens to be on both Mothers' Day and her own daughter's birthday. This year, she wants to do something truly unique and special to celebrate the lives of these vibrant women. Tim, a drummer and recovering drug addict, wants Garo to make him a show-stopping set of wings to wear when he performs with his band - a symbol of his flight from the demons of his past. Hedda Lettuce, an iconic and witty New York drag queen, is celebrating her tenth anniversary as a performer and needs a new, outrageous costume to live up to her downtown fame. Watch all their new garments - and their true selves - come to life as Garo and his team surprise them with each dramatic reveal.

"IT'S TIME FOR HER TO EXPOSE HERSELF"

Friday, September 16th at 9:00pm

Elizabeth has lost over 100 pounds and wants a dress that will show off her new body. Will she always be a fat girl in her mind, or can Garo get her to shed her self-image for a new lease on life? Jeanine is a recovering alcoholic who is looking to get back into the work force and needs new clothes that signal regained confidence. When she bashfully reveals the tireless work she does for other addicts, Garo senses that she needs something dramatic to let her embrace her own heroism. He decides to make her two types of power suits, one of which will take her completely by surprise. Alex, owner of downtown performance agency, Screaming Queens Entertainment, needs Garo to produce an elaborate dress for an upcoming party that also serves as a chic buffet table. With reputations on the line, Garo needs to execute a technically challenging task in time for the high-profile event. Watch all their new garments 2- and their true selves - come to life as Garo and his team surprise them with each dramatic reveal.

"I'M NEVER GOING TO TAKE IT ALL OFF"

Friday September 23rd at 9:00pm

Jennifer is a new mom who is going out on the town with her husband for the first time since their baby was born, and she wants to wear a vintage dress that will transform her new curves from matronly to ooh la la. Garo is excited to mix and match eras in order to create a timeless look with some deserved sex appeal. Nefe is a six-foot tall woman who is often mistaken for a man. Plagued by body image issues and crippling insecurity, she wants a gown for a gala event that will finally make her feel like a beautiful woman. Will Garo's dress help Nefe transcend her deep rooted issues, or will she continue to hate the body - and the person - that she sees in the mirror? Tali, a world-famous showgirl and Garo's secret crush, is headlining in Las Vegas and needs a no-holds-barred, show-stopping costume. Garo and his team are under exta pressure to deliver something both captivatingly sexy and technically workable for Tali's sultry act, which requires her to peel off over 10 pieces of couture creation. Watch all their new garments - and their true selves - come to life as Garo and his team surprise them with each dramatic reveal.

"A LITTLE BIT OF PAIN"

Friday, September 30th at 9:00pm

After a bitter divorce which dragged her kids through rough times, single mom Sarah wants to do something spectacular for her daughter's tenth birthday - a gesture that will prove they've turned the corner and are looking at a bright future. To do this, Sarah asks Garo to transform her into a hummingbird, which is both her daughter's favorite animal and a symbol of a better life just beginning to take flight. Trevor is an Asian-American who is questioning why he spent his childhood rejecting his Chinese heritage. He desires an outfit for a Chinese New Year's party, an event where he can finally embrace his culture by wearing it on his sleeve. Even with this new found interest in his roots, Garo struggles to push him past all his hang-ups. Outlandish acrobats, Trixie Little and The Evil Hate Monkey, need costumes for their first Off-Broadway show. Relying on his studio's gadget guru, Gerrold, Garo must create elaborate wearable costumes which require a lot of moving parts and technical wizardry. The team must rush to deliver them before the curtain goes up. Watch all their new garments - and their true selves - come to life as Garo and his team surprise them with each dramatic reveal.

"THAT'S A LOT OF SKIN"

Friday, October 7th at 9:00pm

Liam is an ex-alcoholic and Wall Street egomaniac whose crash-and-burn attitude towards life did a lot of damage to others, especially to his own sister, Maria. When the market and his personal life simultaneously crashed, Liam finally came to terms with his abuse and began to consider a different way of life. Now, he is headed on a Buddhist retreat in order to gain some perspective on the choices he made, but Garo senses that he needs an extra push to get over his selfish ways. Will his doubtful sister receive the new Liam as truly transformed or just a poser? Emily was a happy wife and mother of two, but her husband suddenly left her, making her feeling ugly and unwanted. She's heading with a friend for a getaway to Cabo and hopes Garo has the inspiration to transform her from frumpy housewife to hot mama. World Famous Bob, a burlesque superstar and long time client of Garo, needs him to reinvent one of her most iconic costumes for an upcoming performance. Though he is against revisiting the past, Garo agrees to try breathing new life into a classic act. Watch all their new garments - and their true selves - come to life as Garo and his team surprise them with each dramatic reveal.

"I KIND OF FEEL NAKED"

Friday, October 14th at 9:00pm

Jennifer has a lot to celebrate ... It's both her 40th birthday and her 5th anniversary of being breast cancer free. Overly sensitive to her reconstructed body and armed with a list of fashion "no-no's", Jennifer presents a special challenge to Garo and his team. Will they be able to push her to embrace her new body, or will the scars of her past continue to hold her back? Tatiana is a young singer looking to make it big in the music business and prove to her father that she's made the right choice to leave home while still a teenager and launch a career in New York City. Garo digs into her multi-ethnic roots for the inspiration to make her shine at an industry showcase. And, Egyptian-born drag queen Sultana, "The Queen of the Middle East Village", is a demanding client in desperate need of a brand new look for her upcoming stage show. Viewers can see all their new garments - and their true selves - come to life as Garo and his team surprise them with each dramatic reveal.

"Unleashed by Garo" premieres as part of Sundance Channel's multiplatform fashion and style franchise, "Full Frontal Fashion" which gives audiences access to the designers, fashion insiders and trend setters whose personal style, and lifestyles, are inspiring what's next when it comes to the world of fashion.

"Unleashed By Garo" is produced by NorthSouth Productions. Charlie DeBevoise, Mark Hickman, Catherine Fenton Bernath are Executive Producers for NorthSouth and Marco Bresaz is Executive Producer for Sundance Channel.

About Garo

Genuinely passionate and wholly original, Garo is a couture fashion designer who enables his clients to express the beauty of their true selves. From society brides looking for unique gowns to performers who want show stopping outfits for the stage, Garo does more than design clothes ... he creates identities. Based in NYC's hip East Village, Garo's studio serves a diverse list of celebrity clients, including Madonna, Mariska Hargitay, and influential event planner, Colin Cowie. His collections are self-described as "elegant yet functional clothing that is timeless - looking to the future but always paying homage to the past".

About Sundance Channel

Sundance Channel is the destination for What's Next, Now. Showcasing both today's creative icons and the emerging talent of tomorrow, Sundance Channel tells credible, authentic and emotionally immersive stories of invention, fashion, film, travel, design and enterprise. The network's originals include the social media phenomenon Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys and All on the Line starring Joe Zee. Launched in 1996, the network provides perspectives dedicated to founder Robert Redford's mission to celebrate creativity. Sundance Channel was acquired by AMC Networks Inc.(formerly Rainbow Media Holdings) in 2008.

About AMC Networks Inc.

Dedicated to producing quality programming and movie content for more than 30 years, AMC Networks Inc. owns and operates several of the most popular and award-winning brands in cable television. AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, and IFC Films produce and deliver distinctive, compelling and culturally relevant content that engages audiences across multiple platforms. The company also operates AMC/Sundance Channel Global, an international programming business, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, a full-service network programming feed origination and distribution company.