First Lincoln Center Fashion Week Features Over 90 Designers

Details
Parent Category: Expos and Conventions
Category: Previews
Published on Wednesday, 11 August 2010 18:20
Written by T. T. Maloney

From September 9th-16th, 2010, thousands of fashion industry professionals will gather to see over 90 of the world's most established and up-and-coming designers present their collections for Spring 2011 at the first Lincoln Center Fashion Week.

IMG Fashion has unveiled the initial line up of shows from these designers for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week's first season in Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park.

"We are tremendously excited about our new home at Lincoln Center and overwhelmed by the response of so many designers who will be showing with us as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week this season," Said SVP and Managing Director of IMG Fashion Peter Levy, "The opportunity to facilitate such a large number of shows and events within the new footprint of the event bodes very well for the new location."   

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will present the following designers:

Among the designers returning from previous seasons of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week or those showing for the first time as part of the lineup include:

Opening Day, Thursday, September 9th, will kickoff with Nicholas K in the Studio venue and will also include the Project Runway/Season 8 finale in the Theatre and past Project Runway winner Christian Siriano in the Stage. Former Heatherette guru Richie Rich will close the historic first day with a Studio show.   

A fourth presentation space called the Box will be utilized for designer presentations, industry forums, press conferences and other activities.    

The new venue will boast a number of technical enhancements to adjust with the changing needs of the fashion community including: a more gracious lobby to better accommodate designer guests; modified runway theaters and modular designer spaces that support advanced production capabilities; expanded lighting and digital design resources; new décor and increased venue/runway sizes and enhancements as well as a comprehensive digital upgrade to the event, including a new website, registration, credentialing and seating system, digital signage and various other improvements.    

The city, working with IMG Fashion and Lincoln Center, has embarked on a coordinated effort to ensure Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week takes place in an efficient and organized manner. Led by the citywide Event Coordination and Management Office, city agencies – including the Transportation, Police, Fire, Buildings, Parks and Recreation and Sanitation Departments together with the Mayor's Community Assistance Unit, and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) – are coordinating issues related to pedestrian access, ancillary parking, community resources, traffic flow, and opportunities for local businesses.   

According to IMG, each year, the 232,000 attendees at the two Fashion Weeks generate new economic activity for New York City businesses, accounting for more than $466 million in direct visitor spending and contributing to $1.6 billion in annual tax revenue to the city's fashion industry.

For the businesses surrounding Lincoln Center specifically - the restaurants, hotels, and retailers - as well as the thousands of caterers, security, and service workers staffing the shows, relocating Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will result in economic benefits. More than $40 million annually is spent on meals at local restaurants; nearly $30 million on taxis, car service, and public transportation; and an additional $56 million at area hotels, said IMG.   

Title sponsor Mercedes-Benz is joined by DHL, American Express, Maybelline New York, W Hotels Worldwide, TRESemmé, AOL Inc., ideeli, Cambria Cove, Starbucks Frappuccino Coffee Drink, Kim Crawford Wines, EFFEN Vodka, FIJI Water, as well as the following media outlets The New York Times, Women's Wear Daily, and Getty Images.

Over eight days more than 100,000 guests will pass through the new Lincoln Center tents.

The new location at Lincoln Center provides Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week attendees with convenient transportation and access to the event via subway, buses, taxi and car service.

By subway, the 1 train goes directly to the 66th Street/Lincoln Center Station as well as the 1, A, B, C, D service to the 59th Street/Columbus Circle stop.

By bus, the M5, M7, M10, M11, M66 and M104 lines all stop within one block of the Lincoln Center campus.

Cars can pick up and drop off at the main steps main steps between 63rd and 64th Streets on Columbus Avenue and will have a designated waiting area on 65th Street. In addition, there will be a taxi stand near 62nd Street and Columbus Avenue.    

For more information, please visit: www.mbfashionweek.com

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park