New York Fashion Week overcomes Nemo: The blizzard does not stop fashion die-hards during NYFW
By Erin Fogerty
STAFF WRITER
As fashion designers, stylists, models, journalists and celebrities from around the world made their way to the New York area this past week, so did the blizzard Nemo. New York Fashion Week was scheduled to start on Feb. 7 just as Nemo rolled into town.
Nemo covered the city in over a foot of snow, which caused some serious logistical problems. Flights were cancelled and delayed. The streets of New York were a mess. Many designers were worried about their models and guests arriving on time or at all for their shows. Fashion designer Marc Jacobs announced that he had to reschedule his show from Monday to Thursday because of the storm.
Jacobs released a memo on opening night.
“We are writing to let you know that due to delivery issues with fabric and accessories we have made the decision to postpone our collection show to Thursday, Feb. 14th.”
Marc Jacobs International president Robert Duffy said that bags, shoes and fabrics had not made it to the city in time to go through with the show.
This year, there were two types of people at NYFW.
First, there were the designers and guests who wore sensible footwear and bundled up to keep warm in the storm. Michael Kors was even caught rocking a pair of Ugg boots as he arrived at Lincoln Center for the “Project Runway” show. On the other end of the spectrum were the fashion devotees who were in complete denial that they were in the middle of a blizzard. The latter half took to the streets in five-inch Manolo Blahnik heels and really showed their dedication to fashion.
Fashion designer Kenneth Cole commented on the natural disaster.
“This weather is crazy, but it’s going to take more than Nemo to separate a woman from her heels.”
“What, did they think those heels were ice picks?” fashion personality Robert Verdi said.
NYFW came to an end last Thursday and proved that nothing could get in the way of fashion, not even a blizzard. Stars such as Miley Cyrus, Olivia Wilde, Jessica Chastain and Drew Barrymore braved the weather to get front row seats at their favorite designers’ shows.
Other celebrities took a trip down the catwalk themselves for The Heart Truth Red Dress Collection Fashion Show. This annual fashion show promotes heart health awareness among women. For the event, fashion designers such as Badgley Mischka, Oscar de la Renta and Zac Posen donate red dresses for celebrities to rock on the runway. This year Minka Kelly, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Gabrielle Douglas and Kelly Osbourne were a few of the celebrities that walked down the runway to promote women’s heart health awareness.
Attendees of shows during fashion week are strictly restricted to celebrities, fashionistas, buyers and the press. For those who can’t but want access to the shows, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week’s website provides fashion lovers with a virtual VIP pass. On the website there are high quality, live streaming videos from inside the tents that play fashion shows as they unfold. Also, Twitter and Instagram have been flooded with pictures from Fashion Week. Stylist and designer Rachel Zoe provided her followers with personal, backstage access to her own collection and other designer’s shows.
New York tackled blizzard Nemo and successfully kicked off this fashion world tour in style.