#1 Fashion Industry Event
Held semi-annually in February and September, New York Fashion Week offers celebrities, socialites, fashion industry professionals, and deep-pocketed clients the chance to preview new lines from top labels like Carolina Herrera, Anna Sui, Oscar de la Renta, and Badgley Mischka. The shows moved to Spring Studios in February 2018, while sites across the city host satellite parties and presentations. Pierre Davis presented a collection this year, marking the first time that fashion week has included a show from a transgender designer. In total, 100,000 guests attend in person, while media coverage of the event reaches a massive global audience. Next: September 6-14, 2019
#2 Fashion Industry Event
Since 1981, the Council of Fashion Designers of America has presented the C.F.D.A. Fashion Awards to recognize outstanding contributions made to American fashion. Last year’s event broke ground on two fronts for the awards: For the first time it was held in Brooklyn, at the Brooklyn Museum, and actress Issa Rae was the first person of color to host the event and the first female host in nine years. Honorees included Naomi Campbell, Ralph Lauren, Diane von Furstenberg, and Kim Kardashian West. Next: June 3, 2019
#3 Fashion Industry Event
Fashion brands present their lines to retailers and buyers at Coterie, a semi-annual trade show held at the Jacob K. Javits Center. Attended by members of the industry, the event showcases women’s apparel, accessories, and footwear. During the September 2018 show, Coterie presented a collaboration with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals’ Conscious Fashion Campaign, an effort to creative positive change, draw attention to impact-driven brands, and drive conscious consumerism. Next: February 25-27, 2019
#4 Fashion Industry Event
Vera Wang, Anna Sui, and Olivier Rousteing were among the stylish visionaries honored at the 2018 Fashion Group International’s Night of Stars Benefit. The evening’s theme, “Design Reimagined,” highlighted new ideas in design, beauty, culture, and philanthropy. Hosted by Simon Doonan, the soiree at Cipriani Wall Street was attended by 550 guests. Next: October 2019
#5 Fashion Industry Event (new to the list)
First presented in 1996, the Accessories Council Excellence Awards honor the achievements of accessories designers and design houses, as well as retailers, journalists, and celebrities. In 2018, the black-tie event recognized brands including Brooks Brothers, Theory, and Longchamp. Lupita Nyong’o, Iris Apfel, and Sam Edelman were among the style icons in attendance. Next: June 10, 2019
