This just in!
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced an agreement to move New York City’s biannual Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week events to Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center. The agreement between IMG Fashion and Lincoln Center, Inc. will allow the shows to relocate from Bryant Park to Damrosch Park beginning in September 2010. Until then, the event will take place at Bryant Park, including the Fall 2009 collections which begin February 13. The City, through the Office of First Deputy Mayor Patricia E. Harris, worked with IMG Fashion and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) to identify a new location as it became clear the shows would soon outgrow the facilities at Bryant Park. The Mayor made the announcement at a conference about the future of New York City hosted by Crain’s New York Business and the Partnership for New York City, and he was joined by Council of Fashion Designers of America President Diane von Furstenberg, IMG Fashion Senior Vice President Fern Mallis, Lincoln Center President Reynold Levy, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, New York City Economic Development Corporation President Seth W. Pinsky and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin.
Bryant Park to me, IS NYFW. I’m kind of sad, but sort of psyched for a larger space. What say you?
I have spent nine seasons covering the shows at Bryant Park, so I’m sad to see this location come to an end. I think it will be challenging to find enough space at Lincoln Center for everything IMG wants to do. I am guessing, however, that given the state of the economy, more designers will be cutting back their guest lists and their “razzle-dazzle” when it comes to the runway, anyway. Perhaps this isn’t such a bad thing. Bryant Park is a true circus!