IMG to introduce NYFW: First Stage international designer showcase in September

By

Obi Anyanwu

Published
Jun 5, 2017

With New York City being one of the cultural melting pots in the world, IMG is introducing this September an international designer showcase named New York Fashion Week: First Stage.

 
From Thursday, September 7 through Monday, September 11, the works of 30 international designers will be on display at new IMG venue, The Gallery at Dream Downtown in Chelsea. The new venue is large enough to house a large runway and a presentation space, as well as accommodate over 400 people.
 
IMG opening NYFW to international designers may come as a response to big name designers such as Raf Simons and Tom Ford moving their runway shows from abroad to NYFW: Men’s and NYFW, respectively. The new First Stage concept could entice big names to move their runway shows and presentations across the pond or give emerging and established designers an opportunity to enter the US market.

First Stage could also be a response to the number of designers that have left the NYFW schedule, including Proenza Schouler and Rodarte that both opted to show in Paris, and Tommy Hilfiger that has taken its Tommy Pier show on the road to Los Angeles in February and is heading to London in September.
 
IMG’s new concept also beefs up the NYFW schedule, which was shortened by the CFDA in April by one day, now ending on Wednesday September 13 instead of the typical Thursday closing. In addition to shifting the schedule, Calvin Klein and Tom Ford are confirmed to show on day 1 and Marc Jacobs will close the week.