Bergdorf Goodman Is Doubling Down on New York Fashion

So to kick of New York Fashion Week, the retailer is launching an "Only in New York" initiative set on celebrating the city's fashion vanguard. Some of New York's beloved character's like Chloë Sevigny, Gabreilla Karefa-Johnson and Linda Fargo feature in a dinner party illustration by artist Joanna Avillez all dressed in this season's most exciting collections.

"It's super exciting to kick off New York Fashion Week with this campaign that's highlighting pretty much all of the new and emerging brands that we're launching for spring," Bergdorf Goodman's chief merchant Yumi Shin tells PAPER.

For this year's Radar class, which gives a platform to a curated group of emerging brand, Bergdorf Goodman is featuring all New York designers including Luar, Zankov, Theophilio and anOnlyChild. "Since our initial launch of BG Radar over four years ago, we've been much more intentional about thinking about brands that promote sustainability, diversity and inclusivity," Shin says. "And this season reflects this shift."

As someone who travels with the BG team for Fashion Weeks all over the world, Shin is still excited about the designers coming out of New York and what they have to say. "It's really about the community that shows up to support the brands," she says. "The friends, family, the fellow designers and the audiences, they provide this power, this power source for these brands that you can only find in these up-and-coming design houses."

Despite hometown favorites like Peter Do and Christopher John Rogers not on the schedule this season, Shin is still excited about brands like Wiederhoeft, Puppets and Puppets and Willy Chavarria, as well as new brand they've recently launched including Studio 189 and Interior.

"I know I'm super biased, but New York is unlike any city in the world with so many different points of view," she says. "It's creativity that touches on all cultures intersecting with the arts, music, theater, food and fashion. And so ultimately, I think Bergdorf is a cultural destination and it's part of this amazing city."

Photos courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman