New York Fashion Week Highlights Revival of American Heritage Brands

Key facts

• New York Fashion Week will showcase American heritage brands including Ralph Lauren, Coach, and Tommy Hilfiger.
• Ralph Lauren and Coach are experiencing strong growth, particularly among younger consumers in Asia and North America.
• Tommy Hilfiger is returning to the event after a break, following a collaboration with NFL star Travis Kelce.
• Michael Kors will also present a runway show, despite facing sluggish sales in recent years.
• The event runs from September 4 to September 15, featuring approximately 70 runway shows and designer presentations.

New York Fashion Week is set to commence with a focus on American heritage brands that are successfully attracting younger demographics, despite broader challenges in the global luxury market. Ralph Lauren and Coach are leading the event with runway shows, both reporting strong recent growth driven by younger shoppers in Asia and North America.

Tommy Hilfiger, another brand associated with American heritage, is returning to the event after a hiatus, following a recent collaboration with NFL star Travis Kelce. This return is seen as a positive addition to the lineup of established American brands.

However, the demand for premium U.S. apparel remains uneven, with Michael Kors, also participating in the week, having faced sluggish sales. The luxury sector at large has been impacted by factors such as the war in the Middle East affecting European tourism. Consultancy Bain & Company noted that growth in the U.S., fueled by domestic brands and younger consumers, is partially counteracting slowdowns in the Middle East and Europe.

Designer Henry Zankov will officially open New York Fashion Week on Thursday with his debut collection for Diane von Furstenberg, while Thom Browne is scheduled to close the event. The fashion week, running until September 15, will feature approximately 70 runway shows and designer presentations from established names like Carolina Herrera, Christian Siriano, and Calvin Klein, as well as the NYFW debut of New York native designer Conner Ives.