The History Behind New York Fashion Week.

Описание: New York City is considered one of the most important fashion capitals in the world, home to renowned designers and brands, and the stage for New York Fashion Week (NYFW), which takes place twice a year to showcase the latest trends, styles, and creative proposals for each season.

To understand the significance of New York Fashion Week, we must travel back in time to when Paris was the epicenter of fashion, and designers presented their collections in a very different way from what we know today.

The Impact of World War II on Fashion

World War II had a significant impact on fashion, forcing designers and fashion publications to seek alternative ways to share their creations with the world. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of New York Fashion Week.

In 1939, when Paris was invaded by Germany, it became increasingly difficult for designers to present their collections and for fashion journalists to travel to view them. Recognizing this challenge, Eleanor Lambert, a publicist, decided that New York should establish itself as a fashion hub. In 1940, she founded the New York Dress Institute, an organization dedicated to promoting American fashion. In its first year, the institute gained international recognition.

A year later, in 1941, Eleanor Lambert created the American Fashion Critics Awards to honor the country’s designers—an event that quickly caught the attention of the global press.

The Birth of New York Fashion Week

The defining moment came in 1943 when the first official fashion week was held in New York City. Eleanor Lambert gathered designers and the press at the Plaza Hotel, where they were introduced to the season’s latest collections. This event was called "Press Week." Unlike today’s fashion weeks, no buyers or public figures were invited—only the press attended. This moment is regarded as the true birth of American fashion.

Press Week continued annually until 1945, when Ruth Finley, a fashion entrepreneur, introduced the idea of creating an official fashion calendar. This structured approach allowed designers to schedule their shows in a way that ensured fair media coverage and enabled journalists to attend as many presentations as possible.

New York’s Rise as a Global Fashion Capital

When World War II ended, Paris sought to reclaim its position as the world’s fashion epicenter. However, by then, New York had already cemented itself as a leading fashion capital.

Over the following years, New York played a key role in what became known as Fashion Month, a global event in which the four major fashion capitals—New York, London, Milan, and Paris—present the best of their designers.

As American fashion evolved, designers gained more creative freedom in choosing their runway venues, presentation styles, and guest lists. This shift led to the increasing presence of celebrities and public figures at fashion shows.

The Establishment of the CFDA

In the 1960s, Eleanor Lambert founded the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), a non-profit trade association that today includes over 500 members. The CFDA was created to support, organize, and elevate the American fashion industry on a social, cultural, and economic level. Due to its success, the CFDA eventually became responsible for overseeing the official calendar and media coverage of New York Fashion Week.

New York Fashion Week Today

New York Fashion Week has solidified its place as one of the most influential fashion events in the world. It continues to serve as a platform for major brands and visionary designers, who season after season, showcase the best of their creativity and innovation.

Written by Alejandra St. for Mighty Magazine

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