Joseph Abboud to open New York Fashion Week: Men's

New York Fashion Week: Men's is preparing for round two of their newly minted inaugural event. This time around, the week will be opened by Joseph Abboud, while Todd Snyder will close out the shows. This marks Joseph Abboud's return to the runway after a 15 year hiatus.

At the first ever NYFW: Men's in July, the shows were opened by Thom Browne, while John Varvatos closed the shows. Varvatos did his runway show in America for the first time in eight years, opting to jump ship from the Milan men's shows. This season, Browne will be staying in his usual location of Paris, while Varvatos will still be showing in New York, although he has opted for a different venue aside from official show site. The new location of his runway show has yet to be revealed.

Brands that have also confirmed their participation include Billy Reid, Calvin Klein Collection, Tommy Hilfiger, Ovadia & Sons, Theory, Tim Coppens, Timo Weiland, Coach, Duckie Brown, Greg Lauren, Hickey Freeman, J. Lindeberg, Orley, Nautica, John Elliott, and Michael Kors.

Schedule for NYFW: Men's slowly being unveiled

According to an article from WWD, CFDA president Steven Kolb said that they were still working on finalizing the schedule. The shows are expected to have 51 presentations, around the same number as last NYFW: Men's.

As for how Todd Snyder feels about closing out NYFW: Men's, he said "2015 has been a good year and I am thrilled to be closing Men's Fashion Week. It is such an honor and I can't thank Steven Kolb and the CFDA enough."

The returning sponsors for this season include Amazon Fashion, Cadillac, Axe, Dockers, Fashion GPS, Loews Hotels, The New York Times, and Shinola. Dreamworks is not returning as a sponsor this season, but that is because their original sponsorship was only meant to be a one-time thing.

This season, Dockers will be the force behind the emerging designers venue, which will be Platform 3 at Skylight Clarkson. Six new designers will be showcased including Brett Johnson, Devon Halfnight LeFlufy, Kenneth Ning, Second/Layer, Stamp, and Ryan Knew. Three returning designers will be featured including Gypsy Sport, Engineered for Motion, and Ricardo Seco.

Dockers will also be hosting NYFW: Men's opening night party on February 1, at an event that will also honor Dockers' 30th anniversary.

Agentry PR will be holding their annual New York Menswear Day the day before CFDA kicks off the official NYFW: Men's. The 12 designers who will be presenting are Boyswear, Chapter, CWST, David Hart, Garciavelez, Hrminn, Krammer and Stoudt, Lucio Castro, Matiere, Max 'n Chester, Plac, and Robert James.

“Every year we see the level of designer participation heighten and press coverage expand,” said Erin Hawker, founder of New York Menswear Day, to WWD. “We are at an exhilarating time in the industry as there is finally a renewed focus on men’s wear talent. It’s so gratifying to be able to help both up-and-coming designers and those who are already established expand their reach, gain exposure and realize their creative and business goals in this growing fashion world.”

According to Kolb, CFDA will be flying in international editors again, and there will be a market campaign launched later this month focusing on street style.

photo:CFDA