Newscasts - New York Fashion Week kicks off amid a shaky luxury backdrop

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08/09/2025 18:00

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Source: 'Reuters - Business videos'

Description: Established designers and emerging labels, including the likes of Coach, Michael Kors, and Calvin Klein, are hitting the runway to participate in New York Fashion Week, which officially commences on Thursday (September 11). Alice Rizzo reports.

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Video Transcript:

When the New York Fashion Week opens on September 11, the spotlight will be on the runways with established names like Coach, Michael Kors, and Calvin Klein due to set the tone for the event. The stakes are high this year for a $400 billion luxury industry as it tries to get shoppers buying their goods again. The sector, which averaged roughly 10% annual growth for nearly a decade before slumping last year, is also seeking renewed momentum after the recent passing of one of its greats, Giorgio Armani. And the fashion world is beginning to see changes to how the event is organized, partly due to calls for improvement compared to its European counterparts. KFN, an event platform for the New York Fashion Week, has been pivotal in crafting a revitalization plan. The initiative in partnership with KF Fashion and next experiences aims to expand the event's physical and digital presence, creating new opportunities for designers. According to a press release from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, potential changes include a centralized campus for designers, eliminating some of the costly fees typically associated with runway events. Nicole Phelps is the global director of Vogue Runway and Vogue Business.

You might have smaller spaces for appointments or presentations. There might be a space where designers could get together and pool their funds and do something.

Still, the event faces challenges. Traditional anchors like Mark Jacobs and Ralph Lauren have had sporadic participation, contributing to a less positive sentiment towards the event.

But when big anchor designers like that leave, it just inevitably means that fewer people from out of town are going to make the trip.

Economic uncertainties and executive shifts in the luxury industry have also weighed on consumer engagement.

I definitely know that some people are agitating for one New York fashion week a year and for that one New York fashion week to be in September. It's glorious out here. It's a great time to be in the city. I think there's a lot of important designers in New York who would reject that idea.

In the coming weeks, major houses like Chanel and Dior will introduce new designers' collections on the catwalks. They aim to reignite shopper interest in a sector navigating a turbulent stretch.