Fashion's turn to blow into New York
This Sept. 15, 2010 photo shows the Michael Kors Spring 2011 collection modeled during Fashion Week in New York. Credit: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan
With Hurricane Irene thankfully behind us, it’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week that will take New York City by storm starting Thursday.
About 85 designers are scheduled to show their spring 2012 collections at Lincoln Center, where a striking new stainless-steel facade will greet an estimated 100,000 fashion fanatics.
While big names such as Diane von Furstenberg, Michael Kors and Carolina Herrera will show at the tents as always, there are plenty of newcomers, including J.Crew. And more than 100 designers will show off-site — Donna Karan, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, along with celebrity stylist-reality show star Rachel Zoe, who will make a presentation in her Broadway showroom.
Meanwhile, at least two designers — Marc Jacobs and Olivier Theyskens for Theory — have pushed back their shows to later in the week, blaming the hurricane for delaying their lines.
One of the busiest days on the Fashion Week schedule is Sunday, the 10th anniversary of 9/11. As they have for the past 10 years, those working at the tents will observe a moment of silence at the times the planes hit the World Trade Center. But for the most part, “it’s business as usual,” said Christina Neault, executive producer for IMG, which puts on the shows. “The whole point of what these terrorists did was to disrupt business, and we haven’t given in since,” Neault said.
Not everyone feels the same. Carmen Marc Valvo changed his usual Sunday spot because of the date. “I thought it was inappropriate to have a fashion show on this occasion, and I wanted to give my team this time to reflect and honor the souls we lost so senselessly that day,” he said.
But many others, including Tracy Reese, are holding fast. “The most positive thing that came out of this terrible tragedy has been how New Yorkers have pulled together to bring our city back from despair,” she said. “I think we can honor the fallen by keeping the spirit of all that is best about New York vibrant and alive,” said Reese, who will make a donation to the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund in acknowledgment of the event. Reese is thinking positive. “I want to go out and put on the best show I can.”
