Fashion WeeK

Nobody likes change, particularly Adriana Yanovski and Dennis Neal two Parsons Students protesting what they called “the end of an era.”

The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, according to the announcement given by Mayor Bloomberg on February 3, 2009 will now be held at Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center. This past fall was the last time the event will be hosted at Bryant Park. The relocation will commence in the beginning of September 2010.
Disheartened Adriana claims that the tents that consumed Bryant Park were the essence of what made Fashion week what it was. “I loved the atmosphere; it was just a great experience. I looked forward to it all year,” Adriana exclaims. “Yea, Dennis interrupted, after all these successful years at Bryant Park why does anything need to change?”

Well to these students dismay their protesting proved to be ineffectual for the decision was discussed and declared over a year ago. The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week began in 1993 with just 35 shows in total. The Fall 2009 last show which started on the 13th of February contained over 70 shows. To progress with time there needed to be a change. The new location at the Lincoln Center will provide 87,000 square feet of space where as Bryant Park was only capable of supplying 70,000 square feet of space. That is a very noticeable 25% difference. Along with the additional space that came with this change of venue the fact that it’s indoor appeals to many. For Example: The opportunity to use the ample space for other special events to take place during the show. Another example would be to take advantage of a place that has the capability to sell tickets.

There was an estimated 100,000 people in attendance this past fall crowding underneath the tents at Bryant Park for the eight days of fashion week, with that the city generated $466 million in visitor spending a year. According to Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe this change is not only profitable for Damrosch Park but it will also benefit Bryant Park as well. “We’re excited to host Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at its new home in Damrosch Park at Lincoln Center. This change will also free up the lawn at Bryant Park for more passive and recreational use,” said Adrian.

This move will in fact benefit the entire economy from the citizens, to the designers and to the entire fashion industry. “We are extremely grateful to the Mayor, not only for his leadership in facilitating Fashion week’s move to Lincoln Center but also for his strong commitment Lincoln Center and the arts,” says Lincoln Center President Reynold Levy.

This change will enrich the entire fashion industry making it more accessible to more consumers and designers and reinforcing New York City as the Fashion Capitol of the World.