Event Producer Partners With Exit Art to Offer Cheaper Fashion Week Packages

On Tuesday, July 28, the fashion industry will meet to discuss Fashion Week, which moves to Lincoln Center in September 2010. But even now news is filtering in about the forthcoming clothing showcase, which kicks off Thursday, September 10. In addition to the news that Carmen Marc Valvo will display taped video footage of his show on the Times Square JumboTrons and M.A.C. Cosmetics is looking into sponsoring shows at Milk Studios, event production company Caramel Sound, Music & Lights has announced that it will partner with Midtown West gallery Exit Art to provide designers with budget-friendly packages for shows.

Similar to last season, Caramel owner Pat Regne will outfit Exit Art with staging, seating, lighting, sound, and other components and offer the space for $22,000, a cost lower than that of the Bryant Park tents. (WWD has previously put the IMG pricing for its Bryant Park venues at $48,000 for the tent, $38,000 for the promenade, and $28,000 for the salon.)

Included in the package for shows at Exit Art will be a 70-foot-long, five-foot wide runway, aluminum bench seating for 275, full lighting and sound, a backstage area with 10 hair and 10 makeup stations, a press riser, four security guards, and a separate door for backstage. However, designers will be able to change this setup and, among other things, add to or rearrange the seating, customize the set, use video projections, and install a bar. Structurally, the site, which has previously hosted presentations for Jason Wu, Behnaz Sarafpour, and Thom Browne, will remain an all-white ground-floor venue with raw cement floors and 16-foot ceilings.