Sep 14, 20183 min read

New York Fashion Week

Nevaeh Modlin, Senior

September 14, 2018

“Every year the women of New York leave the past behind and look forward to the future...this is known as Fashion Week”- Carrie Bradshaw TV show character played by Sarah Jessica Parker.

Every year for one week, the biggest event in the fashion industry takes place; this event is none other than New York Fashion Week (NYFW). What is New York Fashion Week? Great question. It is an annual series of events that showcase international fashion collections to buyers, press, and the public. This year, NYFW showcased collections from Anna Sui to Ralph Lauren and showcased many new designers such as Nanushka and Bande Noir. Anyone who is anyone attends the show ranging from social media influencers to A-list celebrities such as Blake Lively, Millie Bobby Brown, and Lebron James.

For the last seventy years, NYFW has changed in a ginormous way. Starting in the year 1943, NYFW at the time was known as “Press Week.” The creator of Press Week was Eleanor Lambert, who was the press director for the New York Dress Institute. According to the Odyssey, “This event was held to distract people from not being able to see French Fashion during World War II”. Lambert’s creating Press Week sparked an increase in magazines such as Vogue covering more and more American designers than ever. Years later in the 50s, the name of Press Week was changed to “Press Week of New York.” In 1990, during a Michael Kors show, a piece of the ceiling fell on a model leading the decision to keep the event in just one venue instead of multiple. Reports from New York Fashion Week Live says, “Fern Mallis, then head of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, combined all of the fashion shows into the white tents in Bryant Park, and it was called “7th on 6th,” named after the event management company founded by the CFDA. In 2001, 7th on 6th was sold to IMG (International Management Group) and then became known as “New York Fashion Week.” Changes in venues throughout the years made the CFDA and IMG change the show holder to “Mercedes-Benz Fashion Show” and the venue to the Lincoln Center.

Throughout the years, fashion week has changed the course of what’s trending. Even though the shows are what people come to see, the street style throughout the week is just as important. From influencers to models, the invitees step out in the most fashionable attire,from model Bella Hadid to model Iskra Lawrence. The street style creates trends within NYFW that everyone will be wanting to wear in several months. “Fashion is about dressing accordingly to what’s fashionable. Style is more about being yourself.”- Oscar de la Renta

According to Vogue magazine, there are a few trends that completely swept the runway. This year’s shows showcased a variety of color and creativity. This year’s shows provided a variety of pastel colors. From the Michael kors collection to the Marc Jacobs collection, pastel colors were seen in the clothing and throughout the makeup looks. Another trend called “Make-Me-Swoon Hair” was also an eye opening moment at NYFW. From half-up styling at Brock Collection to a low-slung ponytail at Oscar de la Renta’s collection made their collection standout.