Thom Browne and Tory Burch Join the CFDA to Ring In New York Fashion Week

Sixty-five stories above the bustling streets of midtown Manhattan, Bar SixtyFive at the Rainbow Room played host to a (very fashionable) convergence of the American design community. CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, Chairman of the Board Thom Browne, and Board Member Tory Burch brought together industry figures, media, and supporters in an evening that celebrated the packed season ahead.

To officially launch the festivities, Kolb presented opening remarks, addressing the assembled designers: “I wish you all the greatest success with your shows… and on that note, New York Fashion Week officially begins!”

The night served as a special homage to the talent that has built and grown their brands in New York. Olivia Cheng, the newly announced winner of the AAPI Design + Innovation Grant for her brand Dauphinette, was in attendance, as was Jameel Mohammed, the first recipient of the CFDA and Tiffany & Co.’s Jewelry Design Award.

“I’m excited about the energy in this room, the stories people will be telling this season, and everything that’s happening here in New York,” Browne reflected as peer designers mingled and readied themselves for the week.

Much conversation was dedicated to the newsiest moments to come, from Christopher John Rogers, Altuzarra, and Norma Kamali returning to the calendar to Calvin Klein’s first show with Veronica Leoni (present in the room amongst her new colleagues).

Talents including Wes Gordon, Henry Zankov, Presley Oldham, Colm Dillane, Jacques Agbobly, and Kim Shui took part in the fun, as did a mixture of new-guard industry commentators, including Luke Meagher of Haute Le Mode and Beka Gvishiani of Style Not Com, in town for the week especially.

“This is my third New York Fashion Week,” Gvishiani explained. “When people ask why I come here, I say that the things that happen in New York fashion don’t happen anywhere else in the world. That’s why I love coming here.”

The anticipatory energy of the evening represented the aptly named specialty cocktail (the Season Opener), a fitting preview to the narratives about to unfold across the runways and presentations spread throughout the city.