Fern Mallis says fashion week is ‘back with a vengeance’

Fern Mallis – the mastermind behind New York Fashion Week – said that after a lull during the pandemic, it’s back, baby.

Or, as she puts it, “into informal.”

“It’s fashion week with a vengeance. There are so many shows and activities and parties and dinners,” Mallis told us Wednesday at FIT’s Couture Council luncheon honoring Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiri. “It’s crazy! In fact, it’s almost too much.

“The energy and enthusiasm is great,” says Mallis. “I think people are really excited to be back. It’s back to school. Everyone is here, lots of air kissing going on and no masks. People feel great. ”

“Everything is largely decentralized,” says Mallis, comparing it to the old days when almost all shows were in one place called a tent.

She says it’s almost impossible to get from one show to another because of the traffic. “And there are so many good things, competing at the same time. You have to play God and make a choice.

Malice is currently working with Peaceable Assembly’s Jonathan Gray on her “Fashion Icons” books, which include pieces from the likes of Bob Mackie to Victoria Beckham to a streaming series of interview clips from the 92Y series.

Also at FIT’s Couture Council at Lincoln Center were Candace Bushnell, Gillian Miniter, Elyse Newhouse, Harper’s Bazaar editor-in-chief Samira Nasser, Pete Nordstrom and Francisco Costa.