New York Fashion Week Spring 2013: Your Guide To Shows In The Big Apple

By Nadine DeNinno | August 31 2012 3:48 PM

New York Fashion Week: one of the most highly-anticipated events of the year where editors, designers, blogger and fashionistas alike gather in the Big Apple to get an early sneak peek at what fashion holds for the next season. As the opening of the season and the single largest biannual media event, New York sees designers whose sartorial specialties range from red carpet ready evening gowns to ready-to-wear career garb to trendy threads for the busy lives of fashion mavens. After the New York season, which officially runs from Sept. 6 until Sept. 13 at The Tents at Lincoln Center, the fashion world will move on to London, Milan and Paris, respectively. The premiere event, attended by upwards of 100,000 members of the industry, is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and showcases the work of over 80 designers.

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But where to begin? Let's start with day one.

Last season, BCBG MAXAZRIA showcased geometric fashion with colorblocking and blocked insert details, which played with different fabrics and textiles. The brand, which stands for "bon chic, bon genre" which means "good style, good attitude" in French and is the affordable price point of designer Max Azria's eponymous collection, will show on the first day of Fashion Week.

The Tadashi Shoji show on day one should not be missed by stylists and major celebrities looking to score the perfect red carpet attire for the upcoming awards season, which begins in December. For Fall 2012, Shoji showcased a gorgeous show inspired by the golden age of cinema and Marlene Dietrich.

Once a year, Fashion Week hosts Fashion's Night Out, an evening where fashion's finest including designers, editors, models and celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Nicole Ritchie, will rub elbows -- and shopping bags -- for a night for the annual shopping fete. FNO, held in the mecca of New York and more than 500 U.S. cities, was established four years ago by Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), New York City and NYC & Company to boost sales during the economic slump of 2009.

Day two of Fashion Week begins with a show by Cesar Galindo, a fashion veteran who has most recently worked with Gwen Stefani for L.A.M.B. not to mention nine years at Dolce & Gabanna and seven season at Calvin Klein. IBTimes got a sneak peek at his Spring 2013 collection, Czar by Cesar Galindo which shows the more fun side of the design genius, ahead of its debut.

Beginning with a performance by Theophilus London last season, Rebecca Minkoff is best known for selling casual luxury handbags, accessories and apparel and likely will not disappoint this season.

Charlotte Ronson, the younger sister of the infamous Samantha who dated Lindsay Lohan, will also debut on the second day. Having shocked fans last season with her polished look, we'll see what the designer, known for casual edgy grunge, has in store.

While many may be hungover come Saturday from those wild Friday night parties, set your alarm clock for Lacoste, the premiere designer of sporty threads, often attended by hunky male celebs like Kellan Lutz.

Sunday, the day of rest, promises to be a big day with names like Lela Rose, DKNY and Zac Posen, with no time for R&R. But one of the most highly-anticipated shows each season is Diane von Furstenberg, who never disappoints with her beautifully draped creations and wrap dresses.

Zang Toi will shock attendees with his Spring 2013 collection, which IBTimes had the pleasure of seeing before it's unveiled. In addition to the departure from last season's drama, Toi will showcase the many new business ventures up his fashionable sleeves, including a new makeup line with Amazing Cosmetics.

No one will have a case of the Mondays after Carolina Herrera debuts her collection, which will likely be attended by fashion's elite including Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour. Meanwhile, downtown at Cedar Lake Theater, Donna Karan will put her Donna Karan New York collection on display.

Sept. 11 is always a special day in New York City in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks to the World Trade Center in 2001. The fashion world will bow its head while showing some of the most coveted collections at Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. It will be a busy day with Tory Burch, J. Crew, Badgley Mischka and Vera Wang, the biggest name that day.

Falguni & Shake Peacock will debut their line of extravagant dresses, highly-coveted by celebrities looking for statement red carpet appearances.

On the last official day of showing at Lincoln Center, all of the heavy-hitters will be out to play, including J. Mendel, Whitney Eve owned by Whitney Port of "The Hills" fame, Vivienne Tam and Anna Sui. Most importantly for the day is Michael Kors, whose collection last season was just as valuable as the newly minted stock market king's triumphant beginning after its December IPO.

But don't tire too quickly or else you'll miss the last day with all-American designer Ralph Lauren, who went glam last season, and Calvin Klein, who will send the biggest names and faces in the modeling industry down its catwalk.

For the full New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 schedule, head over to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week page.