NEW YORK (AP) – New York Fashion Week kicked off a day early Wednesday with a heavy breathing show of strength and style from the performance brand Athleta, a salute to the fashion challenges of returning U.S. servicewomen and models tucked into the horse-drawn carriages of Central Park.
More than 100 designers are scheduled to show their spring-summer 2015 collections in the Mercedes-Benz tents at Lincoln Center and other New York venues. The eight-day event kicks off the season, with the industry moving on to London, followed by Milan and Paris, when the New York shows conclude.
At Athleta’s show, a flying female tethered to wires did some air running above a stark white stage at the activewear company’s first-ever – and high energy – show. She was joined by breakdancers, yoga stretchers and mini-trampoline jumpers in printed and solid tights, running pants, athletic bras, sweatshirts and a new dry-down technology the brand has just put into quilted vests and bomber jackets.
The idea, Athleta officials said, is to give active women more options for all-day dressing as they transition from workout to grocery shopping to school pickup or the office.
“Her life is always constantly in motion and so she wants a more versatile product that is not overtly fashion or overtly activewear,” senior design director Nancy Taylor said backstage of the company’s core customer.