Mayor Bloomberg has stepped in and ensured Olympus Fashion Week will be at Bryant Park next February for the fall fashion shows. During Fashion Week in September, it turned out the Bryant Park wanted the fashion tents out so the skating rink could stay open - not to mention that the non-public tents take up a lot of the public's room. And even though fashionistas, like Diane von Furstenburg and Anna Wintour, were trying to get the Mayor to intervene, it seemed like he'd back Bryant Park and make the clothes horses find new digs. But here was his statement:
"While it is clear that due to its success, Fashion Week has outgrown the facilities available at Bryant Park, Fall Fashion Week, which takes place in February, is just around the corner, and we have determined that the search for a suitable home will require further analysis and planning. The City will continue to work with IMG and the fashion industry to locate a permanent home for Fashion Week."
So in other words: Skating fanatics, no Pond for you; slaves to fashion, you get the Park this year, but you better find some place else. No word on whether the Mayor's squeeze, NY State bank superintendant and Vogue subject Diana Taylor intervened.
One area that had been considered was Lincoln Center (near Damrosch Park, we think), but it's currently undergoing renovation - but maybe it'll be done by the spring 2008 shows next September.
Photograph of the tent at Bryant Park this past week by Stuart Ransom/AP
