fashion news

rebecca tay

In international news, one of fashion’s most important events is New York Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, held in Bryant Park and showcasing designers’ Spring and Fall collections bianually. This September, however, the event will be losing one venue, and, as a result, IMG Fashion – the company responsible for deciding which designers will show their collections during the event – recently began sending out letters notifying designers who didn’t make the cut this season. According to WWD.com, Fern Mallis, senior vice president at IMG Fashion, wrote in the letter, “While we would have loved to present your collection in the tents this season, we have had an overwhelming number of requests for time slots and spaces.” Mallis continued, “With only three venues this season and a holiday which has completely confused and restricted the schedule, we unfortunately will only be able to accommodate approximately 60 shows as opposed to last season’s 80-plus shows.” The list of those not making the cut is still unknown, though Mallis did encourage the applicants who received the letter to re-apply for the February shows.

In other show-related news, Oscar de la Renta’s annual event on the shore of Lake Tahoe will not be affected by the recent wildfire that devastated land about 120 km south on the California-Nevada border. Instead, his fashion show, which is scheduled for August 4 and is sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue, will likely draw the regular crowd of Old Guard San Franciscans who also make up a significant portion of de la Renta’s loyal fan base. Of course, the designer himself will also be attending, along with various high-ranking officials in his company.

At the end of that same month, Christopher Bailey will show his first runway show in the United States since becoming creative director at Burberry six years ago. On August 28, Bailey will take his first bow in Chicago at the Millennium Park Rooftop Terrace at a show being organized by Nordstrom, Burberry’s largest wholesale customer in the U.S.

Come October, Christopher Kane will be the newest name added to the designer bigwigs showing their Spring 2008 collections at London’s Fashion Rocks. Known for his body-hugging silhouettes, Kane’s collection will be shown alongside creations by Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent and Chanel. The Swarovski-sponsored event will be held on October 18 at the Royal Albert Hall and will be hosted by Samuel L. Jackson.

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