It is one of the most important dates on the fashion calendar and it represents the vitality and importance of this city as a cultural and social center for the world’s creative communities……We’re talking about Fashion Week New York City!

NYC VIBE takes a look at the highlights of this bi-annual exhibition of style which is like no other in the world.

The most talked about presentation this year was not by a traditional designer. It was by one of the world’s biggest pop stars, Rihanna! Rihanna literally went “Over The Top” at New York Fashion Week with a motorcross meets surf theme that featured gravity defying acrobatic stunts. On the ground at Ri-Ri’s Fenty X Puma Show, models glided along a catwalk surrounded by illuminated dunes of sparkling pink sand. And once again, breaking with tradition – Rihanna skipped the customary bow at the conclusion of her show with a few laps on the back of a speeding motorcycle!

A World War 2 aircraft carrier anchored on the Hudson river may seem like an unlikely place for a fashion show by one of the worlds top designers – However for Malan Breton at New York Fashion Week – This was the perfect locale to debut his 2018 Spring Summer collection. With Kristine W singing “Fly Again” to compliment Malan’s theme of The Lament of Icarus – The show was staged as a multimedia experience. Breton’s designs featured strong details, soft silk chiffons, embroidered silks and linen tweeds.

Another pop star turned fashion designer – Selena Gomez – unveiled her Coach X Selena Gomez collection. As an actress and a singer, Selena is a role model to her fans who also identify with her sense of fashion. She is arguably the world’s most famous millennial – with over 125 Million Instagram followers. The Coach 2018 Spring Summer collection celebrated the creativity of New York City with a backdrop of glittering fire escapes and other urban elements. Coach worked closely with the Haring Foundation to collaborate on this special collection. The Coach – Keith Haring Collection featured the late artist’s line drawings on bags, sweaters and leather goods.

Fashion Week generates an estimated $547 Million Dollars in direct visitor spending – Leading to a total economic impact per year of $887 Million Dollars. The economic benefits of Fashion Week surpass such events as the New York City Marathon, the 2014 Super Bowl and even the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament.

No one can predict the future of fashion in New York City – However one thing is for certain – From emerging designers to industry icons, New York Fashion Week remains a benchmark for success.