The History of Fashion Week

   
       Fashion week intrigues me. Ever since my very early college days to the present, I have followed along with the evolving looks on the catwalks. I would fantasize about my collection, the looks, inspiration and the music paired with it. There is something so magical and captivating about each one show; the mood, the music, attitude. It's almost like a play and the models are actors. This is what many people don't understand about fashion, or rather, the shows themselves. The things we see on couture runways aren't meant to be worn out on the street (unless you're Lady GaGa), they are art. As a matter of fact, even many RTW(ready to wear) pieces can't be pulled off by the average. They aren't weird or crazy (well, sometimes they are on purpose), they are unique art pieces from the designers mind that came to life.

        Fashion week wouldn't be what it is today without the models. The first designer to use models to present his collections to clients was English born designer Charles Frederick Worth in Paris in 1858. He is considered by many to be the creator of Haute Couture. America's first fashion show was put on by Ehrich Brothers, a shop in NYC, in1903. All the major department stores followed this trend that was being done in Paris couture salons for years.  Because of the War, the fashion industry elite could not travel to Paris to view the fashions, as a result Eleanor Lambert launched the first fashion press week in 1943 to showcase American designers. Fashion week, as we know it today, was essentially started in 1944 when an official fashion calendar was comprised by Ruth Finley to detail the events. This is what brought all designers, editors, and buyers together to form the spectacle we are used to seeing twice a year in NYC. Milan followed in 1975, and London in 1984.

      Before Bryant Park and the Lincoln Center, the shows were held at various hotels, lofts, and galleries. Bryant Park became the location for the shows in 1994 with Mercedes Benz becoming the sponsor for the events in 2007. The upgrade to Lincoln Center took place in 2010. Which brings us to our current position, with Mercedes Benz dropping out as a sponsor, NY Fashion Week will most likely change a bit from here on out. This is sad news, for me and most bloggers who are trying to get in there, since the registration process for the events will be a bit different now. Coincidentally, this was the year I said I was going to try and register to get in there. Figures, right? Nevertheless, I look forward to watching along on my little computer screen come September because this is my drug.



                                                                Thanks for reading!