New York Fashion Week

Today the New York Fashion Week has officially began! But how did this fashion event get started?

The international fashion industry is gearing up for the autumn/winter 2012 fashion week in New York City. But when did this large event began and gained the proportions it has today?

The very first edition of fashion week was organised in 1943. Going by the name 'Press Week', it was held to draw away attention away from French fashion during the second world war. People were unable to travel to France since the country was taken over by the Germans.

The 'Press Week' was a huge succes and for the first time ever, fashion magazines such as Vogue didn't mainly consist of French designs. The overall attention for American designs grew after that week.

A model showing an American design during the Press Week

Since 1994 the event is held in Bryant Park in the famous white tents. The tents are almost an entire block long! Before that time it had been held in the park before but it had moved after a few years.

Because of the recession most of the designers moved out of the tents and held their shows on different places. After the fashion week of 2009 designers cut back their budgets to cope with the world wide economic crisis. 

On the other hand, in September 2010 another location was added to event. White tents were also being set up in Damrosch Park and Lincoln Center for Performing Arts. Because of these newly added locations, main organizer Mercedes-Benz introduced a navigation system for people to find the locations and their seats! Now that's pretty handy!

Now you know a little bit more about one of fashions biggest events!

Will you be following fashion week or will you let it all pass?