• email
• print
• Tweet
  
  
• 
  
  

For many New Yorkers, the calendar year is defined more by fashion weeks than actual seasons. With the changing weather patterns, the fashion calendar is now somewhat more definitive than the seasonal one. Fall ambiguously bleeds into winter, and even in January, some days feel like spring. But surely, each February and September, we can rely on Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to add some color and frenzy to streets and schedules. Industry insiders spend months preparing for the week, and the urban pulse quickens as art shows, film screenings, special events, major sales and openings debut in tandem with the Fashion Week spectaculars. So, as the fall 2012 collections are presented on New York runways this February, expect the CFDA's 50th anniversary exhibition, a peek at André Saraiva's Love Letters, a Cindy Sherman retrospective, and a French film series curated by designer agnès b. Other exhibitions, events, store openings and sample sales will crop up throughout the month, so remember to check back for additions and updates.

Events
Exhibitions
Stores & Sales
Recently Opened

Events
February 7–28
Cinema & Fashion: Carte Blanche to agnès b.
FIAF, Florence Gould Hall, 22 E. 60th St., 212-355-6100
French designer agnès b. has selected the films that most influenced her career in fashion, photography and film for February's Cinema Tuesdays series at the French Institute. Jean Renoir's 1936 Le crime de Monsieur Lange begins the series, screening at 12:30pm, 4pm and 7:30pm on February 7—agnès b. will present the evening film in person. …And God Created Woman, the Roger Vadim classic starring a ravishing Brigitte Bardot, will screen at 12:30pm, 4pm and 7:30pm on February 14. Jean-Luc Godard's Vivre sa vie (My Life to Live), a seminal French New Wave film with a  standout performance by Anna Karina, will show on February 21 at 12:30 and 4pm. Pierrot le Fou, also by Godard, will play that evening at 7:30pm. Casque d’or, a romantic tragedy considered one of Jacques Becker's best films, will follow on February 28 at 12:30pm, 4pm and 7:30pm, concluding the series. All films will be shown in French with English subtitles. Tickets are $10 and available on ticketmaster.com.

February 8
Heart Party at Grey Area's New Showroom
574 Broadway, 2nd fl.
Just two days after its mini pop-up at The Hole closes, Grey Area celebrates the opening of its new showroom space in SoHo with a Valentine's Day party on February 8, from 6 to 8pm. Expect new jewelry pieces for the occasion by the likes of Elephant Heart, ARENAgal by Renne Riccardo and more, plus personal love divinations from the artist Jen Denike.

February 10
New Yorkie Runway Doggie Fashion Show
The New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave., 212-971-0101
While Fashion Week models tend to be long and lean, the stars of this show are short and hairy. But cute. Puppies will parade the runway at The New Yorker Hotel, modeling New Yorkie jackets, dresses and pajama sets. Tickets are available at newyorkierunway.com and proceeds will benefit Angel On a Leash, a charity devoted to training therapy dogs.

February 21–27
Reel Fashion at FIAF and MFIT Film Series 
The Museum at FIT, Seventh Avenue and West 27th Street, 212-217-4558
French Institute Alliance Française, Tinker Auditorium, 55 E. 59th St.
The Museum at FIT has partnered with the French Institute to produce a series of fashion film documentaries, to begin with Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton at FIT on February 21 at 6pm. The film depicts the jet-setting designer juggling his dual roles as creative director for Louis Vuitton and his own labels. The Day Before: Fendi by Karl Lagerfeld will screen at FIAF on February 22 at 7pm, and The Day Before: Proenza Schouler at FIT on February 23 at 6pm; these films show the designers in preparation for Fashion Week. All three films were directed by Loïc Prigent, who will be on hand for Q&A sessions following each of the screenings. The series concludes with Et Elle crea la femme (And Elle Created Woman), which examines the creation of Elle magazine, at FIAF on February 27 at 7pm. The screenings at FIT are free and admission to those at FIAF are $10.

Exhibitions
February 7–March 4
The Dandy's New York
Dorian Grey Gallery, 437 E. 9th St., 516-244-4126
While Patrick McDonald fits the textbook definition of a dandy—a man who gives exaggerated attention to personal appearance—the word has often carried connotations of traditionalism. But McDonald redefines "dandy" with bold patterns and hues, eccentrically arched eyebrows and audacious accessories. The Dandy's New York, at Dorian Grey Gallery, pays tribute to the style icon, who moved to New York in the '70s, through photography by Molua Muldown and mixed-media works by Lisa Pan, plus McDonald's own poetry.

February 9–April 17
Impact: 50 Years of the CFDA
The Museum at FIT, Seventh Avenue and West 27th Street, 212-217-4558
"Fashion is constantly changing," Council of Fashion Designers of America CEO Steven Kolb said in a recent interview with nycgo.com. "As an organization, we’ve evolved over the 50 years to become a very forceful, dynamic family of creative types. There's really no other organization like it in the world." For the past half-century, the not-for-profit trade association has worked to cultivate the talent that has established American design as the international force it is today. Conceived by CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg, Impact honors the organization's nearly 600 designer members, past and present, through object and image—including pieces by Halston, Calvin Klein, Bill Blass, Tom Ford and Rodarte.

February 10–March 17
Juergen Teller
201 Chrystie St., 212-254-0054
Legendary German photographer Juergen Teller, perhaps best known for his 14-year-long campaign collaboration with Marc Jacobs, presents a series of works in three parts, reflecting his contemporary approach, which merges his personal and professional life and subjects. Images from his irreverent nude, er, spread of ’90s American supermodel Kristen McMenamy—taken in Italian architect and playboy Carlo Mollino’s exquisite Turin lair for Berlin-based 032C Magazine last November—hang beside family portraits, landscapes and a rare series of sensual shots of Vivienne Westwood.

February 11–March 1
André Saraiva: Love Letters
Half Gallery, 208 Forsyth St.
Artist, filmmaker, creative director and club owner (most recently of Le Baron, which is opening a location in New York) André Saraiva presents his first solo exhibition in New York at Half Gallery. A nod to a romantic but fading form of communication, Love Letters will include paintings on French letter boxes and love letters on paper.

Through February 20
Cecil Beaton: The New York Years
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., 212-534-1672
In 1928, the late, now-legendary fashion photographer Cecil Beaton moved from England to New York, where he shot fashion spreads and portraits for the likes of Vogue and Vanity Fair. He also designed costumes and film sets for classics like My Fair Lady (1956) and Swan Lake (1951). The New York Years, now on view at the Museum of the City of New York, pays homage to his time in the City, with a collection of photographs, including portraits of Marilyn Monroe, Mick Jagger and Greta Garbo, plus costume and set designs.

February 24–April 14
Jean-Philippe Delhomme: Dressed for Art
FIAF Gallery, 22 E. 60th St., 212-355-6100
The artist and author Jean-Philippe Delhomme presents a selection of fashion illustrations at the French Institute. His career has entailed illustrations published in such publications as Vogue, Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. He's also created a clever ad campaign for Barneys, published several books and spent the last year living in Bushwick, working on his blog unknownhipster.com.

February 26–June 11
Cindy Sherman
The Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St., 212-708-9400
MoMA presents a retrospective survey of photographs by Cindy Sherman, known for provocative self-portraits that appear simultaneously alive and cold. Sherman masterfully and sometimes eerily transforms her identity, rendering herself in various guises and situations to question the contemporary identity of women. She has always assumed the role of both photographer and model, assuming a self-created guise—with makeup, wigs, costumes—that evoke a range of female archetypes. The show presents these multiple identities in all their large-format glory. As artist Chuck Close has observed, “She’s achieved a near-Warholian superstar status. Her influence is everywhere.” While she rarely does commissions, she's created portraits for a MAC Cosmetics campaign and a French Vogue-Balenciaga collaboration. The MoMA exhibition spans her career from the mid-'70s to today.

Through February
Purple in 3D at BLK DNM
237 Lafayette St.
In celebration of BLK DNM's first anniversary and the release of Purple Fashion magazine's latest issue, Purple in 3D presents a selection of artworks and oversize printouts from the magazine in an in-store installation—including works by and images of such fashion-friendly artists and photographers as Max Snow, Terry Richardson, Charlotte Free, Spencer Sweeney, Jeremy Everett and more—curated by Purple’s Olivier Zahm.

Through March 10
Joaquín Sorolla and the Glory of Spanish Dress
Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, 684 Park Ave., 212-628-0420
Select works by Joaquín Sorolla, the Valencia-born painter known for his impressionistic use of light, will serve as the centerpiece for the Spanish Institute's follow-up to last year's much-loved Balenciaga exhibition. In an unprecedented partnership with the Ministry of Spain, the new show will display the paintings alongside other art and costumes never before seen in the US, including pieces from Madrid's Museo del Traje. The exhibition was conceived by Oscar de la Renta, chairman of the Institute's board of directors, and curated by André Leon Talley, the Vogue editor who also recently curated the first show of the gallery named for him, in the Savannah College of Art and Design's new museum of art.

Through April 15
Hats: An Anthology by Stephen Jones
Bard Graduate Center Gallery, 18 W. 86th St., 212-501-3023
While the hat remains a timeless category of garb, Lady Gaga and guests of the royal wedding have put the avant-garde types back in the spotlight as of late. And, with impeccable timing, the Bard Graduate Center hosts a collection of hats curated by British milliner Stephen Jones. The exhibition, which opened at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in 2009, includes more than 250 extraordinary pieces by Jones, Philip Treacy and Bill Cunningham. American- and New York–centric items like Mouseketeer ears and Babe Ruth's baseball cap were added for this iteration, the show's US debut.

Through May 8
Fashion, A-Z: Highlights from the Collection of The Museum at FIT: Part One
The Museum at FIT, Seventh Avenue and West 27th Street, 212-217-4558
With exhibitions at The Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) coming and going, it's easy to overlook the institution's permanent collection, which is wonderfully comprehensive. The first of a two-part showcase will present 50 masterpieces chosen from the 50,000 garments and accessories in the archive and include stunning pieces from Gareth Pugh, Alexander McQueen, Thierry Mugler, Gianni Versace, Prada and Valentino. Admission to The Museum at FIT is always free.

Stores & Sales
February 3–4
Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show
Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th St., 212-463-0071
The Metropolitan Pavilion transforms into a vintage-lover's dream, when nearly 90 vintage clothing and textile dealers take over for two days. And while sifting through dresses, shoes and accessories from decades past provides entertainment aplenty, the show also includes a formal exhibition, Christian Lacroix: Darling of Outrageous Excess. Admission to all is $20, but join the VIP invite list to save $5.

Through February 6
Grey Area Mini Pop-Up
The Hole Gallery Shop, 312 Bowery
The online art-object store opens its fourth pop-up in yet another prime location, The Hole Gallery Shop. Commissioned pieces include a Vadis Turner Wax lingerie set, Anne Koch Band-Aid rings and a Carlton Dewoody Best Friends skateboard. After poking through the pop-up, stop by the gallery next door to check out the new Lola Montes Schnabel exhibition.

February 8
Melissa Shoes Opens in SoHo with Jason Wu
102 Greene St.
The Brazilian brand of plastic pumps and flats will open its first US store this month. The SoHo space will present a similar gallery concept to the brand's São Paulo flagship, with Eli Sudbrack of Assume Vivid Astrid Focus as the opening exhibition. New York–based designer Jason Wu, who recently collaborated with Target, has also announced his collaboration with Melissa, to hit stores this spring.

February 16–March 4
Barneys Warehouse Sale
255 W. 17th St., 212-450-8400
Barneys biannual blowout offers designer apparel and accessories for men, women, children and the home at up to 75% off.

Recently Opened
Céline
870 Madison Ave.
New York's only free-standing store from the French luxury house opened on the Upper East Side.

Moscot in Cobble Hill
159 Court St.
New York's own eyewear line of 80 years has opened its first store in Brooklyn.

Spiritual America
5 Rivington St.
Spiritual America, opened in the same space that housed Richard Prince’s 1983 exhibition of the same name, specializes in brands like Surface to Air, Hussein Chalayan, Loeffler Randall, Giles & Brother, Vena Cava and United Bamboo.

Stella McCartney
112 Greene St.
McCartney's store moved from the Meatpacking District into a larger store in SoHo with art deco décor.