New York Fashion Week, also known as Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, ended today and with it go the glamour, the excitement, the parties and events. Editors and photographers who came from all over the world to cover what you and I will be wearing next Fall are packing their oversized bags and heading home or, more likely, to their offices to decide which looks to pull for upcoming editorials.
So many people, even those not in the industry, are interested in Fashion Week. I’m always asked a ton of questions about what happens, who attends, what to wear. Here, some Fashion Week facts …
New York Fashion Week occurs twice a year, in February when designers showcase fashions for the upcoming Fall/Winter season and September when Spring fashions are shown. That’s confusing but, when you consider that fashion magazine editors work on their issues three or more months in advance of the publication date, it makes sense. And, of course, it gives buyers time to place their orders for seasonal arrivals in their stores.
Four major fashion capitals of the world hold Fashion Weeks twice a year. New York kicks it off, followed by London, Milan and, finally, Paris.
Cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, Jakarta, Karachi and many more also hold Fashion Weeks and events.
The first New York Fashion Week, called Press Week, was held in 1943 and showcased American fashions for the fashion press who, due to World War II, were unable to travel to France for the Paris shows. Organized by fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, Press Week showcased American fashion which had been overlooked by the fashion press in favor of French fashion.
Fern Mallis, former Executive Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) is credited with organizing Fashion Week as we know it today. Prior to 1994, Fashion Week was held all over New York City. Mallis organized it into one venue at the tents at Bryant Park. Last year, NY Fashion Week moved to Lincoln Center but, for the past several years, many designers have eschewed showing in the tents or at Lincoln Center, opting, as in years past, to hold shows at private venues or in their showrooms.
The cost to produce a runway fashion show could be up to $750,000.
For Fall 2012, many runway shows were livestreamed over the internet so even those who couldn’t be in attendance could watch the show in real time.
In the early days of runway shows, front row seats were reserved for only the most prominent fashion editors and reporters. In recent years, celebrities – and even more recently, popular fashion bloggers – are given front row seats alongside well-known fashion editors.
People come to Fashion Week to see and be seen. Photographers from well-known – and not so well-known – internet publications take photos of those who capture their attention and, exhibits, such as the one below from DHL, took photos of those who wanted to commemorate the event. (And I did!)
“Take me with you to Fashion Week.” I am asked this all the time and I would, if I could. New York Fashion Week is an invitation-only event, except perhaps for a few “special” shows such as the one hosted by American Express for cardholders. There may also be a runway show that raises money for charity and that offers a ticket with your donation. Otherwise, Fashion Week is an industry event with invitations reserved for the fashion press, buyers and other members of the fashion industry, including celebrities who lend cache to the shows and help ensure publicity for a designer. I am always honored when I’m asked to attend a show or cover a designer’s line in his or her showroom or other venue.
New York Fashion Week, Fall/Winter 2012/13. It’s a wrap … Stay tuned to EverBeautiful.com to see what the designers will have in store for the upcoming season.
