Models wait backstage before the BCBGMAXAZRIA Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 10.Models wait backstage before the BCBGMAXAZRIA Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 10.Andrew Kelly/Reuters
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Natalie is an intern for Newsweek's London office. She writes about anything from the arts to Europe's refugee crisis. She has previously worked for The Guardian, writing mainly about her favorite author Jean Rhys.
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New York Fashion Week—one of four major fashion weeks—began on September 10 and will feature the upcoming spring 2016 collections of the world's biggest designers in almost 100 shows at two venues in New York City.
Hosted by Mercedes-Benz, the showcase has so far featured collections by top designers like New York-based Betsey Johnson, winner of the Timeless Talent Award, awarded in 1999 for her recognized influence on fashion, and Derek Lam, whose work has previously been exhibited at the Museum at Fashion Institute of Technology, the Kennedy Center and the Victoria Albert Museum.
Shedding light on models with disabilities, this year's catwalk will include figures such as Rebekah Marine, who was born without a right forearm and now wears an i-limb Quantum, one of the most advanced prosthetic hands in the world, as well as Madeline Stuart, an Australian model diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Stuart, who debuted in FTL Moda's show on Sunday evening, is the second woman with Down Syndrome to walk the catwalk after Jamie Brewer, Netflix's American Horror Story actress, who walked for designer Carrie Hammer last February.
Still to appear this week are collections by well-known designers Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, DKNY and Michael Kors before the event ends September 17.
Here's a look at some of the preparations behind the scenes.
Models are prepared backstage before the FTL Moda Presentation of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station, New York, September 13. FTL Moda presented a range...Models are prepared backstage before the FTL Moda Presentation of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station, New York, September 13. FTL Moda presented a range of designers and partnered with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and Global Disability Inclusion. The show casted a diverse range of models, including models living with disabilities.Andrew Kelly/Reuters
A model is prepared backstage before the Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 11.A model is prepared backstage before the Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 11.Andrew Kelly/Reuters
A model is prepared backstage before the Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 11.A model is prepared backstage before the Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 11.Andrew Kelly/Reuters
Model Jesse Pattison is painted backstage before the FTL Moda Presentation of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station, New York, September 13. FTL Moda presented...Model Jesse Pattison is painted backstage before the FTL Moda Presentation of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station, New York, September 13. FTL Moda presented a range of designers and partnered with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and Global Disability Inclusion. The show casted a diverse range of models, including models living with disabilities.Andrew Kelly/Reuters
Madeline Stuart, an Australian model with Down Syndrome, assists with body painting models backstage before the FTL Moda Presentation of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central...Madeline Stuart, an Australian model with Down Syndrome, assists with body painting models backstage before the FTL Moda Presentation of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station, New York, September 13. FTL Moda presented a range of designers and partnered with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and Global Disability Inclusion. The show casted a diverse range of models, including models living with disabilities.Andrew Kelly/Reuters
Models pose backstage before the Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 11.Models pose backstage before the Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 11.Andrew Kelly/Reuters
A model's nails are seen as she uses her cell phone backstage before the Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 11.A model's nails are seen as she uses her cell phone backstage before the Betsey Johnson Spring/Summer 2016 collection presentation during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 11.Andrew Kelly/Reuters
A model waits backstage before the FTL Moda Presentation of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station, New York, September 13. FTL Moda presented a range...A model waits backstage before the FTL Moda Presentation of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station, New York, September 13. FTL Moda presented a range of designers and partnered with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and Global Disability Inclusion. The show casted a diverse range of models, including models living with disabilities.Andrew Kelly/Reuters
A model is prepared backstage before the FTL Moda Presentation of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station, New York, September 13. FTL Moda presented a...A model is prepared backstage before the FTL Moda Presentation of the Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Station, New York, September 13. FTL Moda presented a range of designers and partnered with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and Global Disability Inclusion. The show casted a diverse range of models, including models living with disabilities.Andrew Kelly/Reuters