How will you spend your Thanksgiving break?
For designers and fashionistas alike, Bryant Park is associated with the legendary runways and white tents of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.
But this September, the biannual event will move to Damrosch Park in Lincoln Center, where it will take place for the next five years. The new location provides about 25 percent more space than Bryant Park.
Many critics believe the new uptown location will deter designers from showcasing and make it more difficult for people to attend.
"Yes, Lincoln Center has more space than Bryant Park, and it's easier to accommodate everyone," said Stern sophomore Jason Tsai, who is helping with 3.1 Phillip Lim's show. "But Bryant Park is so convenient because it's two to three avenues from the Garment District. As a result, a lot of designers are choosing to show in their own studios and off-site because of this move."
Stern alumna and founder of Street-Spotted Caroline Tseng said the event is moving to the wrong place.
"What are the corporate slaves of the surrounding skyscrapers going to do to distract themselves from contemplating how terrible their lives are now that Fashion Week won't be at the park anymore?" Tseng said.
Nonetheless, the city believes the move will be beneficial. Damrosch Park is currently being revitalized, and will offer one of the largest underground parking garages in New York City, convenient drop-off locations, more green spaces for guests to linger and more dining options.
The expansion of the fashion gathering since 1993 has led to many complaints. In 2006, the Bryant Park Corporation declared it would no longer allow Fashion Week events, saying the shows interfered with their winter ice skating rink operations and public use of the lawn in late summer.
"Fashion Week is identified with the tents at Bryant Park and it seems like a part of the image and identity," said Steinhardt sophomore Cindy Hu, who is also an avid Fashion Week follower. "However, it could be a good thing, and especially help with organization. Lincoln Center is an iconic New York City landmark, so it has potential to be the new — maybe even better — home of Fashion Week."
