the history of new york fashion week (and why i kind of hate it)

I hate fashion week. There. I said it.

Actually, I hate fashion week in person. It’s chaotic. The shows rarely start on time. Your seats are never where they’re supposed to be. And for the most part, everyone’s more concerned about the “scene” (and being seen) than the actual fashion itself.

That’s why I prefer watching all the shows from the comfort of my laptop. I’m grateful for everyone in the industry that makes it possible… the designers, seamstresses, fabric manufacturers, show coordinators, photographers, models, videographers, makeup artists, journalists, and stylists. These are the people that create the magic.

 And if you ever wondered how this magical, chaotic, and creative tradition got started, here’s the scoop.

THE 1940s – PRESS WEEK

     Prior to the mid-20th century, most American designers looked to Paris for their inspiration. French couture houses dominated global fashion at the time. When World War II happened, travel to Paris became virtually impossible. That’s when the American fashion industry began to carve out its own space. 

     In 1943, publicist Eleanor Lambert organized what was called “Press Week” in New York City. Her goal was to showcase American designers to fashion journalists who could no longer attend Paris couture shows. 

     Over the decades, Press Week evolved into a biannual event, attracting buyers, editors, and even celebrities. By the 1970s and 80s, the shows became more theatrical, moving from small showrooms to lofts, nightclubs, and eventually larger venues.

     Eleanor Lambert’s pioneering move laid the foundation for what we now know as New York Fashion Week.

THE 1990s – BRYANT PARK

     In the early 90s, Michael Kors held one of his fashion shows in a loft space near his design studio in New York. Apparently the bass beat of the music was thumping so loud that the ceiling collapsed, raining dust and debris down on models and editors alike. Nobody was seriously injured, but Fern Mallis, who at the time was Director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and who was present at the show, expressed concerns over the safety and organization of so many different industry events.

     This led to the creation of a unified fashion week schedule at the tents in Bryant Park.