It won't be long before the tents move to Lincoln Center, but for now, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is staying put at Bryant Park, and the viewings of the fall/winter 2009 season begin Friday. Although there's been a great deal of news about designers pulling out of the runway shows and after-parties being downsized, there are still plenty of happenings for the week that will keep editors, buyers, and other fashion-focused types busy.
Likely to be number one on the list of crowded gatherings are Target's V.I.P. preview party on Friday night, followed by a two-day shopping event open to the public. Looking to drum up some excitement for its latest designer collection, the retailer is building Camden Market-style booths—think gritty plywood, graffiti, and chain-link fencing—inside SoHo's St. John's Center. Target has bagged English designer Alexander McQueen, whose line is dubbed McQ.
Another one that will get some buzz is Nice Collective's presentation at the Angel Orensanz Foundation. The 300-person showcase for the San Francisco-based team on Tuesday night will feature an installation inspired by H.G. Wells' The Time Machine. Other noteworthy off-site events include Adidas's Y-3 at Pier 40, Oscar de la Renta back on the Upper East Side at 583 Park Avenue, Alexander Wang at Roseland Ballroom, G-Star at Hammerstein Ballroom, and Ralph Lauren at Skylight. Marc Jacobs is staying at the 69th Regiment Armory, albeit with a guest list pared down from 2,000 to 700 and no after-party.
The schedule for the tents appears slightly depleted this time around, but newcomers including Barbie will keep Bryant Park packed throughout the week. Mattel is launching a marketing campaign for the iconic doll's 50th anniversary, which includes a runway show on Saturday, February 14, with clothes crafted by 50 designers. Also debuting at the tents will be young Chinese designer Cho Cheng, Justin Timberlake's William Rast—the collection first appeared at Roseland during Fashion Week last September—and Project Runway winner Christian Siriano. And Narciso Rodriguez and Tommy Hilfiger are returning to Bryant Park after years of showing elsewhere.
Correction: The original version of this story incorrectly included information regarding the performer for Nice Collective's show.
