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New York men's Fashion Week?

New York men's Fashion Week?

Write: Selwyn [2011-05-20]

New York men's Fashion Week?

New York may get its own menswear Fashion Week.

The city's fashion week - which is held twice a year in February and September - currently only has a small section dedicated to male clothes and there is now a campaign to expand it.

Designer John Varvatos told WWD: "I've been a member of the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) for 10 years and we've been trying to figure out how to do that for 10 years. If we're going to try it, we have a better shot today than ever before, because we have a bigger design contingent."

Designers think the timing of the September shows are all wrong because it comes nearly three months after the menswear catwalks in Milan and Paris so think business could be improved.

Varvatos added: "The reality for us is the men's market opens in Milan the week of June 20, and the New York shows aren't until September."

However, some believe an entire week is too much and think two days dedicated to menswear is sufficient.

Designer Robert Geller said: "I think it would be good to reserve the first two days of fashion week just for men's wear and promote it as a separate event."

New York-based designer Thom Browne recently revealed he is relocating to Paris because he thinks it will be more beneficial for his menswear label.

He said: "When it comes down to a commercial point of view, it's important to be able to sell that early in the season. Most designers would rather have their show before selling. The selling season is so early, and the shows in Europe are in tune with it."