New York Fashion Week cuts designers

Designers usually showing at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York, may not make the final schedule this season. In a letter obtained by WWD, Fern Mallis , IMG Fashion's senior vice president, is notifying those designers who will not be able to show at Bryant Park. "While we would have loved to present your collection in the tents this season, we have had an overwhelming number of requests for time slots and spaces."With only three venues this season, and a holiday which has completely confused and restricted the schedule, we unfortunately will only be able to accommodate approximately 60 shows as opposed to last season's 80-plus shows," Mallis said.

The list of those not making the schedule has not been released, but the letter is sure to send designers into a frenzy since they are now faced with having to find last-minute alternative venues for their runway presentations. IMG Fashion and the Bryant Park Corp. continue to negotiate to find a solution for the future of New York Fashion Week in the park. "Please give us another try next season (Feb. 1-8) when we hope we can be more flexible and accommodating," Mallis concluded in the letter.