As part of a multi-layered partnership, the CFDA and Samsung entered into the next phase on June 15 with the announcement of Samsung’s support of the New York Fashion Week: Men’s Platform 3 emerging menswear designers at an intimate cocktail reception at Samsung 837 in New York’s Meatpacking District.

The reception commenced after a panel discussion at the flagship on the Future of Fashion and Technology.  CFDA Board Member Tory Burch, CEO of Oscar de la Renta Alex Bolen and CFDA’s President and CEO Steven Kolb acted as panelists, while The New York Times’s Fashion Director Vanessa Friedman moderated. Discussion points ranged from the current fashion system and direct to consumer to the importance of omnichannel strategy and experiential opportunities for an ever-increasing millennial client base.

Now in its third iteration, Platform 3 has helped amplify emerging brands such as Timo Weiland, Gypsy Sport and EFM, among others, giving these brands an opportunity to show their collections in a centralized venue with high visibility without the extraneous costs that would otherwise keep them from showing.

This season, the Platform 3 designers include five returning brands and four new names: Brett Johnson, Devon Halfnight LeFlufy, GARCIAVELEZ, Kenneth Ning, Landlord, Matiere, N-p-Elliott, Second/Layer and Thorsun.  All nine brands were handpicked from a selection committee comprised of individuals from the CFDA and Samsung and will show their latest collections at Skylight Clarkson Sq. from July 12-14.

AXE® has returned as the Official Grooming Partner of NYFW: Men’s,  continuing to support the P3 Emerging Designers. AXE will help the emerging designers find their magic by providing grooming with the new Advanced Collection at their shows, and will celebrate individuality and style throughout fashion NYFW: Men’s on AXE social channels.

Along with the support of the emerging designer’s shows, Samsung has developed an immersive VR experience to bring NYFW: Men’s attendees – and consumers across the country – with up-close and personal access to these designers to elevate their fashion week experiences.

“At Samsung, we’re driven by a relentless desire to innovate, solve problems in awesome ways and discover what’s next,” said Zach Overton GM/VP, Samsung 837. “Therefore, partnering with the CFDA to support the brightest new menswear designers is a natural fit. The P3 Emerging Designer category at NYFW: Men’s is crucial to rising stars that otherwise may not have the opportunity to showcase their talent.”

Attendees at Skylight Clarkson Sq. during NYFW: Men’s can engage with Samsung Gear VR to view a “virtual world” that contains the designers’ collections and highlights their inspiration and design process, giving insight into how the designers approach the specific “Principles of Design” when conceptualizing their work. The VR experiences will also be available on-site at Samsung 837 as well as accessible to consumers nationwide via Milk VR.