NYFW:A History Lesson

It's that time of year again.....New York Fashion Week! Before the days of internet streaming, I remember turning on New York One (how I had access to it, I still don't know) and eagerly waiting for them to broadcast the shows from NYFW. Some can afford the clothes and are in the fashion scene, others want to be designers, but I just wanted to be inspired. I always enjoyed looking at the designers entire aesthetic and thought process behind their designs. To some, it is simply tall, slender models walking down the runway in clothes, but for me it was an entire package and insight into a creative person's world. From hair, to makeup and accessories, to the final garment, a lot of hard work goes into each show. With NYFW starting tomorrow, I was inspired to make the next few days about celebrating all that is Fashion Week.

Fashion Week Breakdown

When it started: 1942
Originally known as: Press Week
How it came to be: Fashion Week was typically reserved for Parisian designers, but due to WWII it became difficult for journalists and the like to travel over seas to scope out the latest designs. Eleanore Lambert, known for working at the first American fashion magazine (New York Dress Institute) decided to bring Paris to the US. However, instead of using Parisian designers, designers from the US would be showcased instead, finally putting America on the map in the world of fashion.
Gaining Momentum: By the 1950's and several "press week's" later, the US version of Fashion Week turned into the "Press Week of New York". US designers also were becoming noticed by the editors of Vogue Magazine, who began to feature US designers more and more.
Known for: By 1993 the CFDA decided to consolidate all of the shows in close proximity to one another, by housing the shows in the now famous "white tents", first held in Bryant Park.
Business Branding: NYFW is a sponsors gold mine. IMG knew this and bought NYFW from the CFDA. Since then, NYFW has gone through sponsors like Olympus and was once even known as Olympus Fashion Week (I vaguely remember this, and to be honest that name had a horrible ring to it). Mercedes-Benz stepped in in 2007-2015. Their current sponsor is MADE and has gone from Lincoln Center to Spring Studios.

Common Questions

When is NYFW: It is typically the second week of February and the first week of September. Click here  for this week's schedule and live streaming.
Staying ahead of the crowd: So if you want to know what might be on trend for the Spring, then you will need to go and look at the shows from September. Why? Because fashion designers are ahead of the curve! They predict the trends and showcase them a season ahead of time. This week's shows will be for, you guessed it, Fall 2016. If you are looking for inspiration for Spring look at September's shows but if you love Fall and everything about it, I would definitely recommend tuning in all this week!
Designers: There are many heavy hitters that show case every year, like Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schuler, Alexander Wang, Tommy Hilfiger, and so on....BUT they also showcase recent graduates from Parsons and FIT, which is an awesome time to see up and coming designers who may be the next big thing.

Final Thoughts:
Not much to say here! I suggest tuning in to NYFW if you never have and start getting inspired! No, you do not need to go and buy the clothes, it isn't about that. Look at it as a live art show rather than the walk of vanity and consumerism. Yes, there are many sponsors, and advertisers go crazy for this coveted week, but in the end it is all about the designers and their exquisite visions. Stay tuned this week for many more posts about NYFW!

With Love,
GOGOGABZ

Follow me on IG! @gogogabz