NEW YORK, Mar 24, 2015/ — Already an open secret during New York Fashion Week, it was a surprise to fashionistas that WME|IMG confirmed yesterday that MADE Fashion Week is now part of their organization.
Founded in September 2009 to support emerging designers, MADE Fashion Week has featured approximately 30 runway shows and presentations each season from designers including Altuzarra, Cushnie et Ochs, Public School, Proenza Schouler, Jeremy Scott, Sophie Theallet, Ohne Titel, and Alexander Wang.
Through this acquisition, MADE Fashion Week will continue to operate as a separate entity while strategically aligning with WME | IMG to provide additional opportunities and creative resources for both entities’ designers and partners.
“As we reimagine New York Fashion Week with new venues, experiences and platforms for the industry, we are excited to add MADE Fashion Week to our portfolio,” said Catherine Bennett, SVP and Managing Director, IMG Fashion Events & Properties. “This acquisition creates new opportunities for all our designers and partners to grow and evolve their businesses not only during fashion week in New York, but globally throughout the year.”
MADE’s leadership team, including Keith Baptista, Partner and Managing Director at Prodject and Partner at OBO Paris; Mazdack Rassi, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Milk Studios; and Jenné Lombardo, Founder of The Terminal Presents, will continue to oversee MADE Fashion Week’s day-to-day operations and consult on WME | IMG’s broader fashion events strategy.
“MADE has been a platform that supports creative vanguards in fashion, music, technology and culture and makes their work possible,” said Keith Baptista, a founder of MADE Fashion Week. “As part of the WME | IMG family, MADE will expand its reach and remain on the front line of fostering new talent and encouraging bold new voices. We are thrilled to be part of the team, and excited for all that the future holds.”
The New York Fashion Week and MADE Fashion Week Spring 2016 Collections will take place September 10-17, 2015.
