Gone are the days when New York Fashion Week operated like a single-cell organism. First it was Bryant Park, then it was Lincoln Center, and eventually, begrudgingly, it centered around Spring Studios in Tribeca. Now the shows are scattered across the entire city (and sometimes beyond), taking advantage of the many wonderful—if far-flung—venues NYC has to offer. Which, of course, doesn’t stop editors and buyers from complaining about trudging from the Upper West Side to DUMBO as fast as gridlocked traffic allows the CFDA shuttle to chug along—but it does make the crosstown sprint a little more interesting (maybe less so during a lingering summer heat wave).
Here, we break down the various neighborhoods where fashion shows take place, and what each location says about the brands planting a flag there.
Upper East Side: Swan Dive
The Upper East Side elicits a certain kind of cosplay. You’re likely to find plenty of elevated basics, fluid suiting, and, when the people-watching gets really good, plenty of insane Birkins and Chanel tweed skirt suits. And if by the end of the day you find yourself uptown and your feet are absolutely shot, the Serafina on 79th has a great public bench.
Upper West Side: Dinner and a Show
