It's been a big year for fashion between its latest round of huge designer changes and a stream of near non-stop shows (the cruise extravaganza, the men's parade, the couture moment.) And yet, believe it or not, there is more excitement yet to come. This Friday, New York officially kicks off the highlight of the global calendar: the Big Four Bi-Annual Fashion Weeks. Here, we roundup the happenings, people and places worth making note of.
The Tommy x Gigi Carnival
Sweeping industry changes continue to abound as fashion houses experiment with a see-now-buy-now approach to their collections (when clothes go on sale in stores directly after a collection is revealed on the runway) and make the shows open to the public. Hilfiger is the latest brand to join the action. On September 9, the brand will give half of its seats to consumers, who will get an exclusive look at its collaboration with its ambassador and muse Gigi Hadid. The following day, it will stage an extravagant carnival-themed shopping event open to the public from 12noon - 8pm - complete with a ferris wheel, arcade, and a series of pop-up shops where fans can buy the clothes. This is one not to miss (and even if you do the entire event will be livestreamed.)
The new Barneys New York on 17th Street
The popular designer emporium reopened earlier this year with a new design, layout and stronger fashion identity. Chances are you've already seen the store's spiral staircase, which has been an Instagram hit.
Yeezy Season
Last season Yeezy kicked off New York Fashion Week with a Madison Square Garden show that served high drama. It had everything: scandal (his show dates kept changing, which meant other designers had to reschedule their presentations) and star power (every single Kardashian sister was there, as was a fresh from rehab Lamar Odom, and Frank Ocean, and Naomi Campbell, and Anna Wintour.) So what does he have in store for us this season? It's a big TBD as the venue and details haven't been released yet. But expect it to be big: E! have already confirmed it will cover the entire show. And yes, there will be more drama. Oh and Kanye has hinted on Twitter that he may debut kidswear. Stay tuned.
Clean Eats At ByChloe
This West Village vegan restaurant is less than a year old but it already has ridiculously strong word of mouth and a second location (with a third in the pipeline.) This is the fashionable new place to go for clean eating: the menu includes raw vanilla bean chia pudding for breakfast and black bean quinoa burgers for lunch.
Fenty x Puma Pop-Ups
After staging an aw16 catwalk show in February, Rihanna will take a different approach for ss17: she'll launch a series of pop-up stores selling her Puma clothing and shoes. Starting today, the collection will appear on Puma.com, as well as in a range of locations from New York's Bergdorf Goodman to the Footlocker concept store, SIX:02.
Tom Ford's Nocturnal Affair
Add Ford to the list of starry names kicking off the week. He'll show his spring collection to an intimate and exclusive group of editors on Day One. And expect at least one Oscar night regular to be attendance: Amy Adams, star of his upcoming film, Nocturnal Animals, is meant to sit front row.
Brother Vellies' Brick And Mortar
Brother Vellies label founder Aurora James now has a brick and mortar store for her critically acclaimed footwear. Even better: it's just a short walk from the newly opened Westfield World Trade Center building, New York's glitziest new mall and home to high street stores including Cos and &OtherStories.
Miss Lily's Fashion Week Canteen
This Caribbean restaurant is a regular NYFW hangout for models and editors thanks to its reliably cool playlist, retro décor and Caribbean comfort food (jerk chicken for dinner and fried chicken and waffles brunch, because yes fashion people do eat.) Plus, Solange Knowles counts it as a favourite. And there's now twice the fun with two locations, the original spot in the West Village (fun fact: Anna Wintour initially petitioned against its opening) and the new East Village restaurant.
