Fashion Week In New York And The Met Gala Will Carry On With Tight Covid Precautions, And…

^{New York Fashion Week and The Met Gala are moving forward, but stipulations are in order for shows and the exclusive dinner}

The Big Apple saw digital shows in 2020 and partial physical shows earlier this year, but even with the new Delta variant, this major fashion city is proving that the shows must go on September 8 – 12th. Everything about the New York week will be based on all things American. The official fashion week will be done in partnership with IMG Models and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), as they head up the themed American collections calendar.

With a diverse lineup of ninety-one designers including Prabal Gurung, Gabriela Hearst, Sergio Hudson, and LaQuan Smith, it was important to CFDA and IMG to have a representation of strong American designer talent. “Our fashion industry has come together as we continue to emerge from the pandemic, and a collaborative spirit is paramount to the success of our creative talents. Working in tandem with IMG has enabled us to present a singular Official New York Fashion Week Schedule of shows and presentations within the American Collections Calendar,” says CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, in notes from the association.

There have been many to think that NYFW is not as influential as it used to be compared to its top fashion city counterparts of London, Milan, and Paris, as its fashion week has been scaled back. But, CFDA chairman Tom Ford has orchestrated it to be this way, purposely shortening the NY week to five days to encompass all American designers who show outside of the official NYFW dates. According to CFDA, this mandate by Ford is a next step to further position and strengthen NYFW for the future and attract global media and retail.

Highlights will include Thom Browne, and Carolina Herrera and Rachel Comey will show anniversary collections. And international design houses from Moschino by Jeremy Scott and Peter Dundas of Dundas will also be showing.

“As we look forward to this September season, we are proud to come together with the CFDA to support the revitalization of New York Fashion Week,” states Leslie Russo, President of IMG’s Fashion Events and Properties. “It’s time to rebuild, and only together can we ensure New York remains the flourishing fashion capital that it is.”

NYFW is taking place in compliance with New York State Health Guidelines, as the CFDA is guiding designers on best practices during this heightened pandemic.

The Met Gala

Usually held the first Monday in May, the Met Gala, which is the primary fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute will be held September 13^th and themed ‘In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.’ With individual tickets going for $30,000 and tables going for $275,000, it’s predicted that JLo, Lupita Nyong’o, and Rihanna will be attending guests. This year’s hosts are Naomi Osaka, Amanda Gorman, Billie Eilish, and Timothée Chalamet, with Anna Wintour and Tom Ford as honorary chairs.

With a change to the menu, ten selected chefs by Anna Wintour will be cooking for the prestigious night, and the entire menu will be plant-based. The Daily Beast reported from a Met Gala spokesperson that, “currently, all attendees on September 13 must provide proof of full vaccination and will also be expected to wear masks indoors except when eating or drinking. We will update these guidelines as needed.”

With a smaller guest list, it will be intriguing to see which celebrities will be actually attending, and the fashion designs that will occupy the red carpet.