How Fashion Made its Way to The Big Apple– New York Fashion Week at a Glance

Several dates on style enthusiasts’ annual calendars are blocked off solely for the observation and appreciation of nothing more than style.  Taking place biannually in February and September, New York Fashion Week is a week-long event characterized by exuberant fashion shows, intricate collection presentations, revealing industry panels, premier networking events, and more. However, the immersive affair that fashion moguls have grown to know and love is completely contrary to the foundations upon which it was originally founded. This is everything you need to know about America’s most illuminating week in fashion, New York Fashion Week. 

Hailing all the way from Indiana, Eleanor Lambert was a fashion publicist that relocated to New York in 1925. By the time Lambert settled down in New York, Fashion Week was already a concept in Europe, home to some of the most acclaimed fashion houses in the world. After establishing herself as a leading figure in New York’s fashion scene, Eleanor thought it was time to collectively showcase American designers in New York City.

In 1943, amid a tumultuous World War, Lambert and her fashion circle launched NYC’s first rendition of Fashion Week, dubbed “Press Week,” in an effort to shift global fashion recognition from Europe to the United States. Lambert’s Press Week garnered international attention, equipping publications and industry insiders with the ability to gain insight into what was happening in American fashion. Today,  New York holds the title of sponsoring one of the “Big Four” Fashion Weeks, along with London, Milan, and Paris. 

As time progressed and New York Fashion Week earned its credibility in the industry, Manhattan’s Bryant Park became the official central location for designers’ showcases. Originally consisting of white tents positioned around the outdoor venue, Bryant Park’s bleak location quickly became too conventional for the glitz and glam associated with Fashion Week. In 2001, the high-profile event became sponsored by IMG, and later by Mercedes Benz in 2007. These sponsorships intensified the extravagance of the week-long affair, accelerating its global scale for recognition as well as prompting extensive designer partnerships. 

On average, over 30 designers present during New York Fashion Week, curating exhilarating runway shows featuring their most recent collections and sponsoring events to amplify brand awareness. What was once only accessible to fashion industry professionals and New York’s elite, is now available for influencers and celebrities alike to attend and flaunt their carefully curated Fashion Week ensembles. Friday, Feb. 10 to Wednesday, Feb. 15 is the official date range for NYFW’s presentation of Fall/Winter 2023 collections. Dion Lee, Sergio Hudson, Ulla Johnson, and AREA NYC are just a few of the labels you can expect to view during this month’s Fashion Week.

For more information about New York Fashion Week or reviews on your favorite designers’ collections, visit the official website.