New York Fashion Week is clearing room for more sustainability exhibits this September, and one promises to be nothing like the rest.
Hosted by luxury sustainability platform Blank, the free public showcase during New York Fashion Week aims to spotlight the processes, methods, materials and new creators (among them Apparis and Olistic the Label) making collections with lower carbon footprints and sustainability ingrained from the get-go. The event will be held during the day of Sept. 10 with a VIP dinner to follow suit at an undisclosed location in downtown Manhattan.
A Closer Look at WWD's All-Secondhand Luxury Fashion Shoot
Summer in the City: The Dimes Square Scene
Scenes from NYC Pride March 2022
Blank has already held successful events in London, Los Angeles and San Francisco drawing 200 attendees, but founder Brittney McDonald sees New York as an important proof-case for showing that sustainability is synonymous with luxury.
“Whether at NYFW or in a different curated exhibit, the objective is always for people to leave with awareness of the brands, designers and solutions available to them and the long-term impact that has on the carbon footprint,” McDonald told WWD. “So when given the choice between a ‘regular’ brand or a sustainable one, they feel empowered and compelled to choose the sustainable option. And over time those actions collectively help lower our carbon footprint.”
Confirmed designers include Apparis (known for its colorful faux furs), Olistic the Label (a luxury label boosting organic sericulture and natural fibers), Ethiquette (a semi-couture eco-fashion house offering upcycled pieces) and Phi 1.1618 (whose name is a play on the “golden ratio” of sustainable design). Further, Blank looks to secure four more sustainable designers or environmentally geared material innovators to round out the showcase. Designers can apply or seek partnership opportunities by emailing any inquiries to Blank.
Designers are vetted by Blank’s brand values which espouse authenticity, education, inclusivity and representation. Quality, price and accessibility are also determining factors. But McDonald insists that the most important factor in selecting designers is finding those who are thinking of sustainable solutions at the onset of product creation.
“That can be done in a variety of ways, including upcycling material, using alternative materials and borrowing from legacy formulas that actually extend the use of materials,” she said. “All innovative in their own right, but with each approach creating sustainable impact to the carbon footprint at the start of the process, rather than just offsetting based on what was created.”
With the advent of digital shows, fashion week has managed less spend and impact. Last September, 21 designers (or roughly 23 percent of the 91 designers on the fashion week calendar) planned digital activations for NYFW, including Zero + Maria Cornejo, Harlem-based denim designer Oak and Acorn, and more. Digital shows were listed in a series of recommendations in a robust study on the impact of physical shows by organizer Council of Fashion Designers of America, together with the Boston Consulting Group.
But the return to in-person events in the U.S., despite looming and ongoing health public health emergencies, still boasts its appeal to touch and visual-oriented industries like fashion. McDonald’s goal with Blank’s first New York Fashion Week debut is to “change the way people perceive and engage with sustainable fashion.”
“Sustainable fashion does not equate to lesser quality, material [or] design. Unfortunately, there is still a stigma and perception of sustainable fashion not being ‘luxury,’ she argued. “That is simply not true.”
Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Click here to read the full article.
The magazine is hosting "'Vogue' World: New York," an outdoor runway show and street fair during NYFW in September.
"Conference of the People" will take place Sept. 6 at 12:30 p.m. BST/7:30 a.m. ET. There will be a free livestream of the event as well.
London-based fashion designer Daniel Gayle has worked with the likes of Jonathan Saunders, Victoria Beckham and Phillip Lim.
Tommy Hilfiger aims to be a fully circular brand by 2030.
The handheld has a cult following for a reason: 'Little powerhouse.'
Kate Somerville exfoliant rarely gets marked down, so grab it ASAP.
The Halo Bolt Air+ is a lifesaver on the road and at home.
"I think my default setting is kind of pessimism, and I'm trying to work against it," said Lynskey, who spoke with fellow actress Danielle Brooks about the nuances of body image, her "cute" husband Jason Ritter and her journey toward optimism in a recent interview with InStyle.
Denise Richards on the cosmetic procedure she regrets, posing in a bikini on Instagram and her role in Amazon Freevee's first original movie, "Love Accidentally," a rom-com that revolves around a love affair between co-workers that begins via an accidental text.
Whether it's simplifying cleanup or adding more functionality, these accessories are perfect additions to your air fryer!
Take a tour through the scenic Texas Geodome, where guests can relax and enjoy unique architecture and calming nature
Get great discounts on all kinds of home decor while they're on sale.
Tom and Rachael Sullivan share PCOS-friendly meals on their Instagram account and have marked each week of Rachael's pregnancy with adorable food-themed photos.
Top picks from Arlo, Eufy, Ring and more, all designed to keep an eye on your doorstep.
Our host Thorgy Thor is here with Isa, who is envisioning a drag makeover inspired by their manifold talents, Latinx roots, and love of anime.
Nearly 17,000 five-star fans have already added this tank to their wardrobes.
Make the most of summer with sizzling sales on great brands like Insignia, Adidas, Black+Decker, and more!
This gelato tastes like vacation in a bowl
Prime deals are next level! Save up to $60!
The NSync star said "bye bye bye" to his famous dark locks.