New York Fashion Week, showcasing Autumn/Winter 2018 collections from fashion designers comes to the city, February 8-14. Some major changes are in effect this season. First and foremost is the new venue for the main shows. Spring Studios at 50 Varick Street is where all of the action will be. Yes, it’s Robert De Niro’s space, where his annual Tribeca Film Festival is usually held. It’s made up of several floors of spacious studios and lounges.

CHANGE OF COURSE

Designers like ALEXANDER WANG has decided to show during the offseason. He will be moving to a June/December show schedule as opposed to the usual September/February schedule that’s now in effect. TRACY REESE is taking a break this season and will not be doing a show. LA QUAN SMITH will be showing at the new venue in Studio 1. MARCHESA owner Georgina Chapman canceled her show which was scheduled for Feb 14, because of the sexual allegations against her husband Harvey Weinstein. It’s reported that she filed for divorce, and, the whole situation has affected her design company which she owns along with business partner Keron Craig. However, there were some rumblings that MARCHESA will be doing an intimate presentation for select buyers and editors.

CUSHNIE et OCHS will be doing a big `Celebration’ show in honor of their 10th anniversary in business, at the South Street Seaport. GABRIELLA HEARST will be doing a small luncheon at Cafe’ Altro Paradiso. MALAN BRETON will show his collection at Cipriani’s on 42nd Street. DEREK LAM is hosting intimate lunches at The Pool in New York City and J.MENDEL will display his new collection at Ladureo in Soho. Other designers like TIBI, MONSE, CHROMAT, NICOLE MILLER, PHILLIPP PLEIN and ZANG TOI are all showing off-site.

INSTAGRAM FRIENDLY STRATEGY

REBECCA TAYLOR, who is known for doing private appointments will create a virtual reality experience according to vogue.com. Rebecca partnered with Tilt Bush by Google and will show her collection during Fashion Week in her Meatpacking district store. Editors, buyers, and shoppers will be able to paint 3 – dimensional images and pre-order from Rebecca’s Fall collection. But, the designer who has taken this whole new wave of showcasing their wares to another level is LELA ROSE, who usually shows her creations at garden parties, or, in restaurants. This season Rose deleted that scenario, for an Instagram show.

Rose cast ten of her favorite influencers and bloggers to model one look each from her collection, which they will style and share with their respective Instagram followers, on February 8. Vogue runway reported that this will get the attention of their followers, who will become potential customers. Rose told the website that it’s a new way to showcase the brand. “As our brand is evolving, we felt the need to connect with consumers in a different way. I love this roster of talented women and look forward to seeing them in Lela Rose, styled their own way, for their own audience, providing a new lens into how we wear and show our clothing.”

PARIS BOUND

Many designers have bailed out of New York, in lieu of the Paris shows. PROENZA SCHOULER and RODARTE left last year and showed during Couture Week in Paris. They will be joined this year by the likes of ALTUZARRA, THOM BROWN, and TOME, who will all show in Paris.