New York Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week took place from Sept. 7 to Sept. 12 in New York City. The week was filled with designers and companies debuting their latest collection.

According to Marie Claire, the origins of Fashion Week date back to 1858, when fashion designer Frederick Worth started showing clients a pre-prepared selection of original ideas. He also presented his clothing on women in Paris, forming the idea of a “collection” and creating the role of “models.”

It was not until 1943 that Fashion Week came to the United States. Up until then, American designers relied on the French. However, when World War II made traveling unavailable for the elite, Eleanor Lambert launched the first Press Week to showcase American designers.

Fashion Week is more than debuting clothing. According to “Love to Know” writer Valerie Steele, fashion is defined as “the cultural construction of the embodied identity.”

Some Sacred Heart University students commented on what fashion means to them.

“I like fashion generally and I think fashion shows are pretty cool to sit and watch. I love seeing new trends going around,” said senior Gabriella Lotardo.

“Fashion means a lot of things to me,” said junior Adrianna Byczko, Vice President of the Fashion Club. “I grew up loving fashion and I still do today. It is more of an art, and it has grown enormously. People can make real careers out of it. It is a way I can express myself and it is the easiest way to let others know what I’m about. It’s really fun to play with different colors and patterns. Knowing what is in style that year allows you to mix- match and elevate your style.”

New York is not the only place that holds Fashion Week. Many other countries including France, Italy and China have a Fashion Week as well.

“I loved New York Fashion Week the best because I feel like it has a very big variety. I am pretty sure it is the biggest one in the world, and I love that it combines big brands with smaller named brands as well. it allows a lot of these brands to be recognized and how innovative and creative they are,” said Byczko.

Fashion shows are usually filled with fashion journalists, photographers, fashion enthusiasts and celebrities. One celebrity that was in attendance this year was Kylie Jenner.

Kylie Jenner debuted her pregnancy days before Fashion Week, and her attendance was a surprise to many. According to Elle, Jenner continued her maternity style streak throughout Fashion Week.

“I think Kylie going to Fashion Week was a good thing. Maternity clothes are looked at as a cheaper type of clothing. Kylie Jenner is someone of high status and is looked at as

a fashion icon,” said senior Xu Nguyen. “It can be good exposure for designers to make better quality maternity clothing. She can also empower women to not be ashamed of wearing certain things when pregnant.”

This year, many social media influencers and TikTok stars were in attendance, which sparked lots of conversation. According to the New York Post, TikTok influencers dominated New York Fashion Week. While the front row used to be “A-list” celebrities, it is now social media moguls.

“I personally don’t have a preference to it – TikToker’s going to Fashion Week. I think that since technology is advancing so much, it is becoming a big part of our lives, and it’s inevitable. The way we’re going and how were advancing, it’s expected,” said Byczko. “With influencers being invited, I just hope they are being invited for the right reasons. That they are going to be a part of New York Fashion Week because they earned it, not just to rep the brand on social media.”

NYFW Spring/Summer 2021 – Tom Ford

Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez)

About the author

Staff Writer

Leave a Reply