New York Fashion Week, a biannual event, influences the fashion industry and its consumers every year. The longstanding tradition allows for both well-known and emerging designers to showcase their upcoming collections for a wide audience. Even though the luxury pieces aren’t exactly budget-friendly, I still enjoy reading about the must-see collections and trailblazing designers. I also find fashion inspiration when learning about the biggest trends of the event. During this Fashion Week, designers will share their looks for the fall/winter 2021 seasons. While the event usually includes in-person shows with large crowds and paparazzi, the ongoing pandemic brings many changes. Here are some key things to know about NYFW this month:
1. Virtual Environment
Although Jason Wu and Rebecca Minkoff have in-person and socially distant shows, the rest are hosting live-streamed runway shows. The virtual environment will also feature digital presentations, mini-documentaries along with conversations about inclusivity, racial equity, and politics. The digital environment gives the public more opportunities to experience NYFW at home. You can catch select live-streamed shows on the CFDA’s Runway360 (https://runway360.cfda.com/) or Vogue Runway (https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows). You can also follow designers on social media for behind-the-scenes content and live-streamed shows.
https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/new-york-fashion-week-fall-2021-what-to-know-1234728701/
https://www.thecut.com/2021/02/15-shows-to-watch-during-nyfw-fall-2021.html
2. Timeline
NYFW technically runs from February 14 to February 18. However, designers such as Carolina Herrera, Coach, and Christian Siriano have shows lined up at the end of February. Similarly, Oscar De La Renta and Jonathan Cohen will not display their collections until March and April, respectively. Michael Kors is one of several high-profile designers not appearing at Fashion Week. Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Brandon Maxwell, Tommy Hilfiger, and Tory Burch will not reveal their fall/winter 2021 collections at NYFW either.
https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/new-york-fashion-week-fall-2021-what-to-know-1234728701/
3. Designers to Watch
Despite the challenges of the times, many designers have become popular. Maisie Wilen made her NYFW debut through a virtual fall 2021 collection on Instagram. Wilen is the first recipient of a fashion incubator grant from Kanye West. Gabriela Hearst, is another influential figure. She designed the white coat Jill Biden wore on inauguration night. She will close out NYFW with a show on Thursday, February 18.
https://www.thecut.com/2021/02/15-shows-to-watch-during-nyfw-fall-2021.html
4. “American Collections Calendar”
In January, the Council of Fashion Designers of American renamed the NYFW schedule. Because of the impact of the pandemic on the fashion industry, the CFDA now calls it the “American Collections Calendar.” The new name is meant to recognize that some American designers won’t reveal their collections after February and won’t be in New York.
https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/new-york-fashion-week-fall-2021-what-to-know-1234728701/
5. Promotion Strategies
Because of health and safety protocols, designers are finding ways to attract publicity for their collections. For instance, Carolina Herrera will have a tour bus run through New York City in the weeks after the 40th-anniversary collection. TikTok and IMG Fashion have partnered to host the next TikTok Fashion Month so users have access to live fashion shows.
https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-features/new-york-fashion-week-fall-2021-chaos-1234728450/
https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/new-york-fashion-week-fall-2021-what-to-know-1234728701/
Once NYFW ends, Fashion Week continues around the world. London Fashion Week takes place from Feb. 19 to Feb. 23 followed by Milan Fashion Week from February 23 to March 1. Paris Fashion Week runs from March 1 through March 9.