The first New
York Fashion Week, then called Press
Week, was the world's first
organized fashion week. Held in
1943, the event was designed to
attract attention away from French
fashion during World War II, when
fashion industry insiders were
unable to travel to Paris to see
French fashion shows. Fashion
publicist Eleanor Lambert organized
an event she called "Press Week" to
showcase American designers for
fashion journalists, who had
previously neglected their
innovations. Press Week was a
success, and fashion magazines like
Vogue, which were normally filled
with French designs, increasingly
featured American fashion.
In 1994, the
event was moved to its former site
in Bryant Park by Fern Mallis, where
it was held inside a series of large
white tents in the almost-block-long
park. Admission is by invitation
only, to the fashion industry,
fashion press, assorted celebrities,
and internet based Fashion press
(e.g. District L, Fashionista, FWD).
Beginning in February 2009 (showing
Fall 2009), many designers opted out
of their usual Bryant Park tent
fashion shows because of the poor
economy and held smaller
presentations.
Mercedes-Benz
Fashion Week is perhaps the most
well-known event held during New
York Fashion Week, but not the only
one. Many top-name designers show
their collections at other venues,
including Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan,
Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs. Dozens
of other fashion shows and related
events are held around the city
during New York Fashion Week,
including Couture Fashion Week NY at
the Waldorf-Astoria and iFashion
Week by iFashion Network and
iConcept Media Group focusing on
emerging and independent designers.
