#New York Fashion Week to run in September with no spectators

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Models on the catwalk during New York Fashion Week
Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock

New York Fashion Week will go on, but like many other live events like baseball and the US Open Tennis, it will be fan-less amidst coronavirus restrictions.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and event organizer IMG Fashion Events Group vice president Leslie Russo announced Tuesday the show will take place Sunday, Sept. 13 to Thursday, Sept. 17 at Spring Place Studios in Tribeca.

No spectators are allowed to attend, and all indoor and outdoor exhibitions will be capped at 50 percent capacity — in line with rules governing ‘low risk’ live entertainment events covered in Phase 4 of New York’s economic reopening plan.

Runway events will be live-streamed and there will be a mix of live and virtual fashion shows.

“New York City is the fashion capital of the world and New York Fashion Week celebrates the ingenuity of this city, and our unmatched creative talent,” Cuomo said in a statement.

“When COVID-19 hit New York, so many of our cherished events were forced to cancel or be postponed. The pandemic is far from over, but we’re proud to support event organizer IMG in moving forward with NYFW, in adherence with strict state public health guidance.””Safety, as always, is our top priority and we commend the hosts, and all participating designers, for their innovative, New York Smart solutions to bring this event to life,” he added.

Individuals must social distance, wear masks and will be subject to temperature checks.

They’ll also have to comply with the Empire State’s two-week quarantine rule if coming from out of state.

“We are grateful to Governor Cuomo and his leadership for their swift, successful response in fighting the spread of the coronavirus, which has now set the standard of excellence for our nation,” Russo said.”

The past six months have been exceedingly difficult for the fashion industry, and we are proud to offer an avenue for designers, models, stylists, hair and makeup artists, photographers, production teams – and the innumerable other professionals who work in, or adjacent to, the fashion industry during New York Fashion Week – to safely get back to work this September.”

Organizers will also be limiting private events at the Spring Place rooftop to no more than 50 people. Several other live events are also scheduled to go on sans fans — like the MTV Music Awards and the US Open slated for the end of August.

Other events have nearly been canceled over fears of virus spread like the 911 Memorial Museum’s Tribute in Light, which had been canceled and then reinstated following help promised by the state.