New York Fashion Week Venues Expand Beyond “The Tents”

There’s more to New York Fashion Week than “The Tents” at Lincoln Center.

Indeed, one of the biggest changes to New York Fashion Week over the years has been the number of high quality alternative spaces to “The Tents” that have become in vogue. Of course, there’s the Milk Studios that now sponsors its own series of events known as MADE. Other popular standbys include the Metropolitan Pavilion and the Hudson Hotel.

One of the more unique players in the alternative space game has been Skylight Group, a company that specializes in turning untraditional (for fashion) spaces, into customized designer dreamscapes. The group, headed by business mogul Jennifer Blumin, has provided spaces for a list of fashion’s boldfaced names for more than 17 seasons including Olivier Theyskens for Theory, Kenneth Cole, Prabal Gurung, Rag & Bone, Proenza Schouler, Tommy Hilfiger, and Phillip Lim.

This season, Skylight will host nine events in three different spaces in Manhattan— Skylight at Moynihan Station which is located at what is known as the main post office building on Eighth Avenue; Skylight Modern, a space located in the Chelsea gallery district, and the newest space—Skylight Clarkson Sq, which is located in west Soho.

Stephanie Blake, president of Skylight Group, said the growth of fashion shows in spaces like those offered by Skylight Group, is evidence of how fashion shows in New York have evolved.

“Fashion has really changed. And designers in New York are really looking to present their pieces almost like an art show or presentation,” she said. “They’re able to use our spaces which are like blank canvases, and create an experience. These are not the type of spaces where you come in a couple of hours before. These designers are taking two to three days to create a beautiful layout and atmosphere.”

Blake said the process is anything but simple. Because the spaces are raw, the designers must hire their own production teams to do everything from creating seats, to adding floor coverings to determining lighting details and schematics that may involve installing a dropped ceiling or adding chandeliers. Blake also explains that many designers also like the fact that the Skylight spaces are repurposed spaces with historical background.

“We call it urban archaeology. There’s something really interesting about using these buildings that really played a past in New York City history,” she said. “A lot of designers will weave that history into their larger narrative of what this line may be. You can see the wheels turning as we walk into a space. A lot of designers will come in and they don’t want to cover up the metal pipes or skylights. They really want to work with the existing building while giving the space their own aesthetic.”

Here are the New York Fashion Week events happening this season at Skylight facilities:

Thursday, September 4, 2014

7pm – Altuzarra for Target Launch Celebration, Skylight Clarkson Sq

Friday, September 5, 2014

2pm – Sally Lapointe, Skylight Modern

Saturday, September 6, 2014

12pm – Prabal Gurung, Skylight at Moynihan Station

Sunday, September 7, 2014

6pm – EDUN, Skylight Modern

Monday, September 8, 2014

3pm – 3.1 Phillip Lim, Skylight Clarkson Sq

8pm – Rag & Bone, Skylight at Moynihan Station

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

10am – MM6, Skylight Modern

1pm – Diesel Black Gold, Skylight at Moynihan Station

Thursday, September 11

10am – Ralph Lauren, Skylight Clarkson Sq

—Karyn D. Collins