
When New York Fashion Week rolled around last September, it faced huge questions about how it would function during a global pandemic. The fashion industry was dealing with multiple unforeseen challenges: halted production, closed stores, widespread job loss, consumers who were distracted by the news and hesitant or unable to spend money. Still, most brands found a way to present their collections without in-person shows, and the result was, in a way, the most democratic Fashion Week ever: Anyone could tune in from home.
This season, not much has changed. For the fall 2021 New York shows, which officially kick off Sunday, February 14, brands will stream virtual presentations ranging from traditional catwalks to mini-documentaries and kooky escapist shorts meant to be shared on social media. There’s also some depth in the mix, with discussions about racial equity, inclusion, and politics in fashion. Below, a list 15 things we’re