EVENT CHATTER : Countdown to NYC Fashion Week!

It's official...the NYC Fashion week countdown has begun! With just under 10 days to go, this year's fashion week promises to be different then the previous seasons. Like every other aspect of today's finances, the economy has made a major impact on the fashion world. The tents at Bryant Park are usually packed to the brim with designers, buyers, journalists and fans crawling to get in and while there is still all the usual hype surrounding this year's shows, the designers aren't begging to be in the tents. Paying close attention to the slow economy, designers are thinking twice about their production budgets and are considering alternative venues then that of Bryant Park. DKNY, Betsey Johnson, Carmen Marc Valvo, Vera Wang, Marc Jacobs (Who did not show at the tents last year either), Walter, Calvin Klein, Y-3, Jill Stuart, Ralph Lauren, as well as a few others will not show at the tents. From the cost of hair, make-up, models, staging, staff, clothing collections and so on, the production of a fashion show can easily add up to six-figure numbers.

My photo of Rubin Singer's Spring 09 Collection - Bryant Park Tents

Mercedes-Benz is the official sponsor of NYC's Fashion Week and IMG World is the production company that pulls it all together. I have had the pleasure of meeting the fabulous Fern Mallis, Senior VP of IMG Fashion when she was inducted to the BizBash Hall of fame in 2007. Fern Mallis organized the very first fashion week back in 1993 which was originally called "7th on Sixth." IMG World is a fantastic production company that specializes in sports, entertainment and media. Fern Mallis is currently on my "Who's Who" list of industry experts to interview someday!

Fern Mallis, Senior VP of IMG Fashion

Photo courtesy of BizBash

While researching fashion week and googling away (which I do often) I also came across Patty Hughes who is another important face upon the NYC Fashion week productions. Patty Hughes, amongst many other positions, is in charge of scheduling all of the volunteers that work at the tents for IMG's NYC Fashion week. Ironically enough, Patty Hughes had attended an event I helped coordinate for Shane & Shawn last year and I continued to follow up with her. Through much persistence I was able to acquire the schedule of volunteers and sign up to work a few shifts! I am beyond ecstatic to announce that I will be working in the Bryant Park Tents for the official Mercedes Benz NYC Fashion Week! Patty Hughes is a very talented woman and has accomplished a lot and so I am excited to be in her presence and follow her lead while working the shows!

Patty Hughes of Curvy Girl Style

And don't worry, I will keep you posted on my entire experience as well as the evolution of NYC's Fashion Week (such as the official venue change to occur in fall 2010, which I'm sure many of you have been surprised by already!)

Get ready for February 13th and don't forget to check out the official schedule!