CFDA launches Runway360

The Council of Fashion Designers of America has announced the upcoming launch of Runway360, a digital platform designed to keep members of the American fashion industry connected during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Set to launch in September before New York Fashion Week, the "one-stop-shop" platform will incorporate "key aspects of the designer business" including fashion shows, press, sales, and consumer activations, in order "to help drive sales while providing the industry with a simple tool to experience the best of American fashion creativity," the CFDA said.

The tool will give designers a digital avenue to present their collections, and will provide brands with modular, customizable pages that will allow them to present storytelling and digital activations.

To facilitate connection between brands, buyers, press and consumers, Runway360 will support AR/VR, 360-degree capabilities, live video streams, e-commerce extensions, consumer shopping features, and social media integrations, and will also allow designers to host virtual press conferences, present press kits and show and product images.

“This transformational time in fashion requires innovative business tools,” said Steven Kolb, president and CEO of the CFDA. “The CFDA is proud to launch RUNWAY360 and champion the talent of our members and our industry. Runway360 is more than a response to social distancing and restricted travel. The digital platform will help designers faced with short term needs caused by Covid-19 and support future market weeks including live fashion shows.”

Runway360 is being developed by New York-based multidisciplinary design studio DE-YAN. Once launched, the platform will be accessible year-round for consumers, press, trade, and retailers from around the world to explore and engage with collections from American fashion designers, the CFDA said.

CFDA launches Runway360

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