New York Fashion Week, when designers in the Big Apple debut their newest collections, has been given the green light by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to take place as the city recovers from its stint as the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic—but with a slew of protective measures in place, Fashion Week will look very different this year.
Outdoor events will be capped at 50 people, and indoor events will take place without spectators.
New York Fashion Week
Cuomo announced Thursday that the shows will go on Sept. 13 through Sept. 17, but all events will be held in “strict compliance” with the state’s coronavirus regulations.
Cuomo said in a press release that “New York City is the fashion capital of the world and NYFW celebrates the ingenuity of this city and our unmatched creative talent… When COVID-19 hit New York, so many of our cherished events were forced to cancel or be postponed. The pandemic is far from over, but we’re proud to support event organizer IMG in moving forward with NYFW, in adherence with strict state public health guidance… Safety, as always, is our top priority and we commend the hosts, and all participating designers, for their innovative, New York Smart solutions to bring this event to life.”
Set to begin on Sunday, Sept. 13, the fall Fashion Week, officially called NYFW: The Shows, will also require masks and temperature checks for the limited personnel allowed onsite. Social distancing—something rarely seen backstage at a fashion show—will be mandated, as well.
“The past six months have been exceedingly difficult for the fashion industry,” Leslie Russo, executive vice president of IMG’s Fashion Events Group, said in the statement. “We are proud to offer an avenue for…professionals who work in, or adjacent to, the fashion industry during New York Fashion Week to safely get back to work this September.”
NYFW is normally one of the city’s biggest events, involving venues from Battery City to Lincoln Center and beyond. It brings models, designers, photographers, celebrities and fashionistas from around the world to New York, with hundreds of people attending some shows.
Designers such as Jason Wu, Nicole Miller, Christian Siriano, Proenza Schouler, and Rebecca Minkoff will be presenting throughout the week.
