Where to Stay During New York Fashion Week
NYFW is decentralized by design. Shows and off-calendar events animate every corner of Manhattan — from warehouse spaces in Chelsea to rooftop venues in SoHo and galleries in Tribeca. Getting around efficiently is the real work. Sitting in the middle of it all is Ace Hotel New York, a boutique NoMad hotel from which you can fashionably travel to every corner of the grid. And catch some beauty sleep in between.
When Is New York Fashion Week?
NYFW takes place twice a year, with fall/winter collections debuting in February and the following year’s spring/summer collections strutting in September. This upcoming circuit runs from September 10-15.
Where Does Fashion Week Happen?
New York’s sidewalks serve as a perennial runway, but the city collectively steps up its sartorial pace during Fashion Week. That’s because the schedule of events stretches across Manhattan, with locations changing from season to season. Most days revolve around a handful of neighborhoods: Chelsea, SoHo, Tribeca, Midtown and Nomad. Fashion Week is less about settling down near a single stage than staying somewhere that keeps the city in reach.
Why NoMad Works
At home in a Manhattan landmark, Ace Hotel New York lives in the heart of it all, with a subway stop just around the corner. Squeeze in a morning espresso before the first presentation, wander to Rizzoli for design inspiration or take a stroll through Madison Square Park between bookings.
The Lobby at Ace Hotel New York is steeped in the city’s energy. It’s designed to be your base: a workspace to file between runways, a convenient hub for pre-dinner gatherings or an intimate enclave for reflection on the day’s collections over a nightcap.
How to Experience the Week (Sans Invitation)
- Watch public broadcasts: The CFDA partners with Rockefeller Center to stream live runway shows on outdoor screens. It is free and public.
- Study the archive at Museum at FIT: Head to nearby Chelsea to examine historical garments, tailoring and textile innovations. Entry is free.
- Track down SoHo pop-ups: Brands regularly convert retail spaces into temporary installations, capsule launches and experimental concept shops throughout the week.
- Look for emerging names: The official calendar features plenty of heritage houses, but the most compelling work often comes from independent designers presenting in small gallery spaces across Midtown and Downtown.