How CFDA Launched NYFW: Men’s Fashion Week

CFDA & Launchmetrics

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA), founded in 1962, is a not-for-profit trade association whose membership consists of nearly 500 of America’s foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry and accessory designers. CFDA membership is by invitation only.

CFDA’s Challenge

In the summer of 2015, the CFDA launched the inaugural NYFW: Men’s Fashion Week, and wanted to ensure that the first season was a success. The main challenge of Season 1 was how they would create an event that was world class from the ground up. Every season, there are designers who are showing for the very first time, as well as freelancers and interns who are doing the check-in for PR agencies. The council wanted technology that was clear and easy for everyone, creating a professional and efficient Fashion Week event.

The Solution

The team needed to provide guests with digitalized credentials to be used in a frictionless check-in process for their first two seasons of NYFW: Men’s. The CFDA therefore implemented Launchmetrics’ Events technology, which allowed the team to coordinate the designers invitation lists, seating charts, retail and press credentials, perform seamless check-ins, and generate accurate performance reports after the shows ended.

The Result

• 50+ designers in over 40 shows/presentations used Launchmetrics technology during the CFDA’s first season
• Over 7,000 attendees hosted during FW16
• With the Launchmetrics reporting feature, the CFDA could see key performance metrics to optimize future events

“It alleviates a lot of stress. By including Launchmetrics during Men’s in conjunction with the Fashion Calendar, we were able to reach PR’s, designers, and guests, more easily. Now, we’re starting to talk to bridal designers and reference how positive our experience was”

MARK BECKHAM
Business Director of Fashion Week at Council of Fashion Designers of America