New York Fashion Week Commemorates Sept. 11 Anniversary

By COURTNEY LEIVA

In the wake of Sept. 11, New York City’s Fashion Week, one of the industry’s biggest events, marked the 10-year anniversary by memorials and special tributes.

Fashion Week, held from Sept. 8 to Sept. 15  showcases upcoming looks from top designers’ upcoming collections. Although Fashion Week has been going strong after the attacks, 10 years strikes a chord with many.

“Fashion week is unfortunate that this year it falls directly in the path of 9/11. But has it changed fashion week, no. It has only made people aware of the loss and a little more emotional,” says Sheila Denise, fashion and image consultant based in New York.

A decade later, the special anniversary was commemorated by tributes and donations to many 9-11 charities.

Giving Back

As moving forward seemed to be a big theme echoing in the fashion world at the Sept. 11 show , designers not only remembered the past through special tributes but also made charitable donations to 9-11 charities.

Donna Karan paid tribute to the 10 year 9-11 anniversary by using a backdrop of a New York City taxi, arguably one of the most noticeable symbols of the city. Karan also outfitted several models in patriotic colors as well, according to The Associated Press.Karan is donating to the Action America fund, which hopes to  Sept. 11 into a day of positive action and volunteerism.

Designers are also paying respects through charity.

Guests at the Tommy Hilfiger show were notified that the designer made a donation to the New York Police and Fire Widow’s and Children’s Benefit Fund.

Popular retailer Boy Meets Girl example is giving back.  Proceeds of some styles were donated to the American Red Cross. Designer Derek Lam also donated to the National Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum.

9/11 Fashion

However, the event does not come without controversy as Sept. 11 inspired fashions have raised eyebrows including the so-called, September 11 handbag.

Designer Jen Mascali has developed the “Remember Bag, according to CBS news. Instead of capitalizing on the event itself, and proceeds of the bag’s purchase will be donated to charity.

The bag is made of Italian red leather embossed with a special leather tag with the quote “each life is a miracle that changes the world and leaves it a better place than it was before.”

FUBU designer J.Alexander Martin feels a bag for charity is fine as he tweets “as long as the proceeds go to the family.”

However, some can’t get passed the idea of a bag designed around a tragedy.

“I’m a huge advocate for finding unusual and creative ways to fundraise and bring attention to non-profit organizations, but I have to be honest I’m not a fan.

The bag does benefit the National September 11th Memorial and Museum in New York City but it misses the mark, at least for me. I love that it’s not a traditional call to donate but it just feels off for me,” Claire Briggs fashion writer at lovetwenty.com says in a telephone interview.

But the Sept. 11 bag stands in a midst of other controversial memorabilia including a Sept. 11 controversial coloring book and a bottle of wine, however Jeni Bishop, executive editor of Feather Magazine feels that 9/11 inspired fashions are a positive thing. “The event has inherently changed our culture, of which fashion is a part. How could 9.11inspired fashion not be controversial,” Bishop say in an email.

Nevertheless, fashion consultant Denise feels that controversy and fashion are inseparable.  “As far as controversy fashion was controversial long before any kind of tragedy.”

Moving Forward

Fashion week has official opened as of September 8 and will run through Sept. 15. Although tragedies have greatly changed our world , fashion continues to evolve.

“Take away the fact that it’s the anniversary of a tragic event and fashion week is still an incredibly stressful time for everyone. If you think how big the industry is, including models, designers, interns, publicists, editors, publishers, etc., this one week sets the tone for success or failure for the next season. It’s unfortunate that they can’t take that day each year off to honor what happened, but in the end, this is a business. It is what it is,” says Biggs fashion writer for Love Twenty online magazine.

“Fashion (like light bulbs and toilet paper) I believe are never or will ever be affected by world catastrophe. They are however, elevated and made better. Fashion honors and commemorates world events never loses its presence, purpose or intent,” Denise adds.

And if a tragedy knocks you down, designers like J. Alexander Martin feel you have to get right back up.

“New York has a keep get up spirit! You can’t stop the hustle,” tweets J.Alexander Martin of afashionmind.com

Check Out Celebrities Talking 9/11 at this years Fashion Week

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