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Snowstorm Won't Stop Fashion Week Shows, Organizers and Fans Say

By Serena Solomon | February 7, 2013 8:12pm | Updated on February 7, 2013 8:15pm

LINCOLN CENTER — Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week could be clothed in white along with the rest of the city Friday night, with a blizzard set to wallop the region.

About 10 to 14 inches of snow is expected, potentially wreaking havoc on a packed schedule of shows including big names such as Tommy Hilfiger and Charlotte Ronson on Friday night and Lacoste on Saturday morning. 

The National Weather Service's blizzard warning has left some show organizers scrambling to ensure models arrive on time, while Fashion Week's organizer IMG Fashion is planning to reinforce the event's temporary tents at Lincoln Center.  

"We are worried about transportation in general and delays throughout the day," said Maureen Cahill, the producer for the Parkchoonmoo show scheduled for Friday at 9 p.m. "We are trying to compensate with car services to get models in on time."

IMG Fashion plans to bring in "additional crews to help with snow, ice and salt maintenance, increase interior heating and [add] a precautionary extra layer of tenting for the protection of the venue," according to a company spokesman.

IMG is not expecting any delays for shows, the spokesman said in a statement. 

The majority of Fashion Week shows take place in huge, temporary tents at Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side, with some fashion designers utilizing satellite venues around the city.

Increased heat will be used to melt any snow buildup on the tents, which are designed to withstand bad weather and are similar to those used in the Winter Olympics, according to an IMG production worker at Lincoln Center Thursday afternoon.

Despite the blizzard warning, many of those with tickets and invitations were adamant that the fashion show must go on.

"No blizzard is going to stop me from seeing New York fashion week," said Eva Fahler, who left temperatures of minus 40 degrees to attend shows here in New York. "I'm going to wear a mini-skirt and a fur coat — that is how we do it in Sweden."

Baiyo Chen, a pop and R&B singer attending Thursday evening's Ivana Helsinki show, said she is still planning to attend shows throughout the blizzard.  

"In fashion only the strong survive," she said. "[Fashion Week] is rain or shine — I will be there no matter what."

Officials are already describing the storm as "dangerous" with the heap of snow "making travel nearly impossible."

The blizzard is expected to cause major traffic and transportation disruptions in the city.