New York Fashion Week 2020: The Week That Was

Words by Nadene Budden

New York Fashion Week remains a force to be reckoned with in 2020, proving not even a global pandemic can take down the fashion industry. This institution in the fashion industry has once again returned, this year to everyone’s surprise, giving us the latest looks in Spring and Resort wear for 2021.
It’s that little taste of escapism we all need right now – the bright colours, floral patterns creating even the slightest distraction from some of the not-so-pleasant realities of the world in 2020. But how does an event that relies so heavily on the work of so many people, with a live audience no less, survive mid-pandemic?

Though the runways that audiences flock to in a traditional sense haven’t returned for 2020, that doesn’t mean they are forgotten. This year’s event has been condensed into just four days as opposed to the usual six, with only a handful of designers hosting live shows. The rest of New York Fashion Week has been hosted on CFDA’s new digital platform Runway360 using digital mixed media to show a variety of runways and look books.

Creativity is limitless with Runway360 as it allows designers to use a variety of digital formats to host their collections; including livestreams, look books and more and further supports e-commerce extensions, shopping features, social media integration, virtual press conferences and press kits.
From physical runways with minimal audience capacity à la Bronx and Banco to appointment only showings, fashion connoisseurs still had the opportunity to get a firsthand look at the garments. Audiences could also see the looks in action with multiple live streamed runways and visual films, such as Badgley Mischka’s Spring 2021 look book film that added an extra layer of decadence to their “luxe lounge” stylings.
Some labels event went a step further thinking beyond the industry walls of Fashion Week, with Imitation Of Christ using guerrilla tactics presenting a film that captures a group of female skateboarders wearing their Spring-Summer 2021 collection while doing their thing in Los Angeles.
Even designers without a collection to share for the next season still managed to participate and add to the conversation, Fashion Week premiering a never-before-seen conversation between Carolina Herrera and Carolina Herrera New York’s Creative Director, Wes Gordon.

Outside of Fashion Week, there are labels like the iconic Australian brand Zimmermann opting to forgo official Fashion Week events altogether. Hosting a digital film showing their Spring RTW 2021 ‘Wild Botanica’ collection (pictured right) across Zimmermann socials and their official website, the label opted for a celebration of Australiana with bold and bright references to native flora and fauna filtered through each piece and elegantly lining the runway.

The variety of events now surrounding Fashion Week prove the industry is not only willing to adapt to any change but will also excel in the face of hardship. Becoming more than just runways and parties, New York Fashion Week 2020 delves further into the crucial role the fashion industry plays in influencing contemporary society and culture.
Header: Models pose at the Rebecca Minkoff presentation during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Spring Studios Terrace on Sept. 15, 2020, in New York City. (Arturo Holmes/Getty Images For NYFW: The Shows).

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This