The pandemic has hit the world in a cruel way – and the fashion industry couldn’t stay behind concerning the new normal. Therefore, many Fashion Week organizations decided to skip their real life editions this year. Rather, the new normal in fashion is online – without the fear of spreading an unwelcome virus. Find an overview of the changes made to New York Fashion Week here.
Cover photo: © FASHIONCLASH Festival
New York Fashion Week
The Council of Fashion Designers of America has announced that New York Fashion Week Men’s and resort edition in June will be canceled. In a statement, the CFDA wrote that “[…] the CFDA has decided to cancel the official NYFW: Resort 2021 schedule of presentations. The decision was based on the current global situation, the ongoing uncertainty regarding its impact on retailers and their open-to-buys, and designers’ challenges in producing collections at this moment. We strongly recommend and urge designers NOT to show their Resort Spring 2021 collections.”
Despite the coronavirus, it was to be expected that NYFW would change. Looking at its last edition, many big names were absent. Event Tom Ford, chairman of CFDA, decided to swap downtown for Los Angeles. Others also skipped this season’s largest fashion event, or moved their shows to different cities. Over all Europe is in demand, with Jeremy Scott and Assoulin presenting in Paris and Tommy Hilfiger showing its latest collection during London Fashion Week. Furthermore, for the first time in fifty years Ralph Lauren didn’t do a show, neither did Calvin Klein. Others, on the contrary, just moved back to New York (e.g. Proenza Schouler and Rodarte).
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAaYvfAHqBG/
The absence of several designers can be viewed in several ways. For example, many designers built their brands via their own (online) channels. Others choose to expand their following and sales in Europe and therefore prefer to show in Paris. Besides, New York Fashion Week might not have the status it used to have anymore. Where it used to be a prestige to show during the event, now the week is scattered and commercially driven. That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, tough. It provides opportunities for a big amount of designers and on top of this – NYFW still has something magical.
New York Fashion Week SS21
In September, New York Fashion Week will have a condensed schedule. In Just three days, several designers will have physical and digital shows. However, the future of the event remains uncertain. It has became clear that the US’s failing fight against the coronavirus has hit the fashion industry as well. As many designers have resigned from September’s edition, CFDA decided to shorten the event.
Check out the official New York Fashion Week SS21 schedule here.
Also read: The long-term effects of COVID-19 on the fashion industry
