Press Release
NEW YORK, MARCH 2021 – Fern Mallis, the fashion industry doyenne most recognized as the founder of New York Fashion Week, is continuing to release new and exclusive content on her digital platform Fashion Icons: The Archive (available on YouTube), in collaboration with the 92Y. Since premiering in February 2021 The Archive has become the exclusive digital destination for Mallis’ popular and often sold-out conversation series, Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis. In just a month, The Archive has garnered thousands of views and has shown steady growth week over week.
“I am thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response we are getting from taking Fashion Icons digital,” said Mallis on the growing viewership on her platform. “I see so many comments and messages from people around the world who are just now re-discovering Fashion Icons, many of whom have never had the opportunity to experience these live sold-out talks at 92Y in person.”
MARCH IN FASHION ICONS
In the March editions of The Edit, digital-shorts that feature shared stories and experiences between the Fashion Icons, Mallis explores two hot topics:
- GIRL POWER: In celebration of International Women’s Month, Mallis highlights stories of how some of the most successful women in fashion changed the rules of the industry to become the leaders they are today. These Fashion Icons share stories of how they continue to use their power and their influence to pave the way for a more diverse and representative industry. This series features stories by: Diane Von Furstenberg, Iman, and Norma Kamali.
- TH 35: “The Four Great American Designers for Men are: RL, PE, CK, and TH.” In the heart of Times Square, Tommy Hilfiger took a BIG risk by announcing his arrival in a BIG way. The fashion press asked, “who does he think he is?” Would this controversial campaign pay off? Well, 35 years later, you can be the judge! Explore the early days of Tommy Hilfiger as now as he celebrates 35 years of the brand and his own 70th birthday.
The Edit features new introductions with Mallis sharing behind-the-scenes stories from her interviews and her own personal stories with the Fashion Icons featured.
“These stories are not unlike what we’re hearing from many in the fashion business during this pandemic. No Fashion Icon’s career was without its own detours. Sharing each Fashion Icons’ stories of their successes and failures are now more relevant today, than ever,” said Mallis.
Diane Von Furstenberg/ Photo Credit: Joyce Culver 
Iman/ Photo Credit: Michael Priest 
Norma Kamali/ Photo Credit: 92Y 
Diane Von Furstenberg/ Photo Credit: Joyce Culver 
Iman/ Photo Credit: Michael Priest
In addition, viewers can continue to watch the first three Fashion Icons conversations released in their entirety From the Archive, featuring brands that, “give a damn.”:
- CHRISTIAN SIRIANO: “We’ve had customers of different sizes from day 1. Some of our best customers are size 14, 16 and always have been.”
A Fashion Icon that has made size inclusivity and diversity a priority.
- EILEEN FISHER: “We know we need to start finding better ways to make businesses responsible…get people to start saying, ‘I am not going to invest in companies that are polluting the air or the water, or buy clothes from companies that are not being responsible, that are just contributing to the mess.’”
A Fashion Icon making the future of fashion, sustainable.
- BETHANN HARDISON: “Sometimes I shouldn’t say certain things, because you are educating people, but they are not ready.”
A Fashion Icon who speaks out for diversity and representation.
These conversations go back into the 92Y vault at the end of March 2021, with a new set of conversations premiering on From the Archive for a limited time beginning in May 2021.
“I am so grateful for my collaboration with the 92Y, who has pioneered how to pivot to digital in this pandemic and make their thought-provoking and unforgettable programming available to a worldwide audience beyond the stage on Lexington Avenue and 92nd Street,” Mallis said.
“The content the 92Y YouTube channel is featuring is more than entertainment. It’s educational, it’s informative, and it’s timely for the challenges we’re all facing during this pandemic. The 92Y is providing a much needed escape and alternative to mindless binge-watching,” said Mallis. “I am thrilled that Fashion Icons: The Archive gets to be a part of this.”
WHAT’S NEXT IN FASHION ICONS
Mallis is building a community around Fashion Icons: The Archive. Monthly, she is giving away a signed copy of her book, Fashion Lives: Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis, to a lucky viewer who comments on the videos. In April 2021, viewers will also get to vote on the next Fashion Icon conversation to be released from the 92Y vault.
In addition, Mallis is working on the next volume of her book Fashion Lives: Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis set to be released in Spring 2022. Though the 15 Icons for volume II remain a secret, Mallis has a hint of what’s to come. “While volume I was a “Who’s Who” of American fashion, in volume II, we cross the Atlantic, to include several remarkable international Fashion Icons,” said Mallis.
“This series came to be because of the interest of the community of viewers who loved attending these interviews live at the 92Y or discovered through my book. I always appreciate hearing from them,” said Mallis.
Tommy Hilfiger/ Photo Credit: 92Y
ABOUT 92ND STREET Y
The 92nd Street Y (92Y) is a world-class center for the arts and innovation, a convener of ideas, and an incubator for creativity. 92Y offers extensive classes, courses, and events online including live concerts, talks, and masterclasses; fitness classes for all ages; 250+ art classes, and parenting workshops for new moms and dads. The 92nd Street Y is transforming the way people share ideas and translate them into action all over the world. All of 92Y’s programming is built on a foundation of Jewish values, including the capacity of civil dialogue to change minds; the potential of education and the arts to change lives; and a commitment to welcoming and serving people of all ages, races, religions, and ethnicities. For more information, visit www.92Y.org.
ABOUT FERN MALLIS
Hailed as the award-winning creator of New York Fashion Week, Fern Mallis has been called an industry titan, fashion doyenne, and the godmother of fashion. She is an accomplished interviewer, inspirational public speaker, sought-after consultant, and widely quoted in the fashion press and broadcast media. She is most known for her decades-long career at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and as the Ambassador for Fashion
