New York Fashion Week, New York City, New York, United States

Because of the recession effecting most of the world, designers were stepping outside of the box for fall 2009. In previous years, fashion houses would be expecting costs up to $750,000 to produce a quality runway show. The idea of using mannequins to display clothing was used by established designers Betsey Johnson and Vera Wang as a way to cut model and runway costs. Mara Hoffman, Sergio Davila and Nicholas K saved 40 percent of their costs by combining their separate lines into one show. Another trend seen during fall 2009 Fashion Week was recession friendly fashion. A number of pieces displayed were items that could be worn in the fall and carry over to the spring. A popular staple was bold color dressed that could be worn over a turtleneck in colder weather and stand alone in the spring; convertible blazers were introduced by Vera Wang and Karen Walker as a way to get double the wear out of one piece.
Due to increasing pressure from Bryant Park management, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will be hosted in Damrosch Park at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for the first time starting in September 2010.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is perhaps the most well-known event held during New York Fashion Week, but not the only one. Many top-name designers show their collections at other venues, including Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and Marc Jacobs. Dozens of other fashion shows and related events are held around the city during New York Fashion Week, including Couture Fashion Week NY at the Waldorf-Astoria and iFashion Week by iFashion Network and iConcept Media Group focusing on emerging and independent designers.