A Change In Scenery

This September, fashion professionals, designers, and journalists at last bid farewell to the historic Bryant Park as they head into some unfamiliar Fashion Week territory—Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park.

Over the years, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week has called Bryant Park home. Sure, it was comfortable, and designers had grown accustomed to its close proximity to the Garment District, but the  notoriously cramped tents and crowded entryways were signs that Fashion Week was long overdue for a new venue. So, as Heidi Klum would say, “One day you’re in; the next day you’re out.” Sorry, Bryant Park you’re out, Lincoln Center is in!

Lincoln Center will provide designers with more space, a much needed technology upgrade, and the added bonus of convenience to more parts of the city. And just think: When the Yankees changed venues and moved to their new stadium in 2009, they went on to win the World Series.

Fashion rulers like Vera Wang, Rebecca Taylor, and Diane Von Furstenberg have all signed on to participate in Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. Other top designers will include Tommy Hilfiger, Lacoste, Narciso Rodriguez, Max Azria, Elie Tahari, Monique Lhuillier, Luca Luca, and Derek Lam as well as a handful of budding designers like Prabal Gurung.

One main advantage of Lincoln Center is its size. Bryant Park’s space was 70,000 square feet, whereas the new location boasts over 87,000 square feet. There will be five main venues, three for runway shows, and two others (one indoors and one outside) for supplementary events, like designer presentations, forums, photo-shoots, and press conferences. The lobby area will be more spacious, featuring lounge-style seating, and ample space for press, along with food stands and other displays. The “lounge-inspired” lobby is great news for those attending the shows, who most likely felt a little more than cramped in the circus that was the entrance to Bryant Park. The new space adds comfort (read: luxury). Who doesn’t want to lounge around while sipping champagne and enjoying truly fashionable company?