New York Fashion Week begins Thursday with an increase in environmental focus, inaugurated by Mayor Eric Adams at Gracie Mansion.
Official New York Fashion Week Schedule, organized by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), will include 71 events and presentations.
“This season, we have one show per hour,” says CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, describing the season’s energy.
Hundreds of additional brands will display their products in local shops, art galleries, and Airbnb apartments.
NYFW has a big impact on the industry. One of the most viewed events, it draws thousands and generates over $900 million annually. Kolb notes that it generates $10 million in wages and $2 billion in taxes.
The six-day season will also feature Ralph Lauren, Phillip Lim, and Helmut Lang, whose first Peter Do collection will launch NYFW. Coach, where Stuart Vevers will celebrate his 10th anniversary as CEO, will have high invitation demand. A surprise comeback by Victoria’s Secret will mark the first major live event on Wednesday night.
Once limited to Manhattan, the season now covers the entire city. Ralph will host a presentation and supper in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the hottest fashion ticket in America. Advisory, Chan Chit Lo, FFORME, Grace Ling, and Sho Konishi are NYFW debutants. The 16th Supima Design Competition for young designers will be fiercely competitive. Supima, cotton cashmere, will end Thursday in midtown’s Prince George Ballroom and air live on Instagram.
With so much activity, the CFDA has advised fashion firms, production houses, event planners, PR agencies, and others to be more environmentally mindful during the week.
“We encouraged them to recycle and reduce waste, reuse materials, and conserve energy to move towards a more sustainable fashion week,” the CFDA director said.
The CFDA published an Executive Summary, Report, and Playbook for Positive Change on NYFW’s environmental effect with Boston Consulting Group.
European powerhouses Marni and Isabel Marant debuted in NYC in February. Scandinavia’s largest fashion trade event, CIFF x Revolver, is heading to New York this month with the CFDA.
Kolb says, “Bringing together 10 Danish and six U.S. brands committed to sustainability and fostering responsible trade and growth.”
CFDA-curated American companies include M. Patmos, Charles Harbison, Melissa Joy Manning, Julia Jentzsch, Jahnkoy, and Hope For Flowers.
CFDA and Spotify created an official NYFW playlist and will have Times Square billboards. Insiders will first assemble at Gracie Mansion where ‘Hizzoner’ Eric Adams and CFDA President Thom Browne will welcome the industry.
A mix of new and established designers inspired by New York City’s culture and spirit will attend. Kolb: “The city is the ultimate, constant inspiration.”
Kolb expects vibrant designers like Christopher John Rogers and LaQuan Smith to define American style in the next seasons.
The city showcases CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists in September. Altuzarra, Collina Strada, Proenza Schouler, and Alejandra Alonso Rojas all alumni, therefore the program’s 20th anniversary should be a triumph.
The 2023 finalists are a strong addition. These individuals include Colin LoCascio, Everard Best, Téla D’Amore, Kozaburo Akasaka, Melitta Baumeister, Kim Shui, Tanner Fletcher founders, Henry Zankov, Angelo Fabricio Urrutía, Sami Miró Vintage, and Rachel Scott of Diotima.
