Rebecca Minkoff Is Making Fashion Week Digital

By Anne Cohen September 3, 2014

Courtesy of Rebecca Minkoff

Who says tech can’t look good?

Rebecca Minkoff sees no contradiction. The 33-year-old designer is reportedly set to debut wearable tech at her New York Fashion Week show on Friday. The accessories, developed in collaboration with Case-Mate, include a $120 bracelet that alerts you to incoming calls and messages (for when you’re out for drinks and need to discreetly check on that crucial text) and a $60 cuff that can double up as a mobile charger.

Minkoff isn’t the first to try her hand as fashion-first tech — as The Cut points out, Diane von Furstenberg (DVF), Ralph Lauren, and Tory Burch have already gone down that road. But Minkoff’s commitment to the digital space goes beyond cool accessories. Last year, the Jewish designer gave her fans unprecedented access to what goes on behind the scenes as a fashion show by using a streaming app called Keek. This year, she’s upping the ante, and giving budding fashionistas the chance to pick the looks that will make it onto the runway.

On September 2, Minkoff posted a picture of two looks on Instagram with the caption: “It’s up to you! Tell us which look from our Spring ‘15 collection should walk the runway at New York Fashion Week on Friday by voting “printed” or “indigo” in the comments section. Voting closes at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3. Note: Only votes containing “printed” or “indigo” will be counted. Get to it and vote for your favorite look! #RMSPRING #nyfw”

If a look doesn’t get the votes, it’s out of the running (and the runway). To see the final picks, catch the show live on rebeccaminkoff.com on September 5 at 3 p.m. EST.

As for the wearable tech, mark your calendars: the bracelets, as well as new iPhone cases and other mobile knick knacks, should be available in stores this fall and around the holiday season.

Spouses, take note: These make the perfect Hannukah gift.

Anne Cohen was the Forward’s deputy digital media editor. When she’s not looking for the secret Jewish history of Voodoo in New Orleans, or making lists about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, she writes for The Assimilator. She graduated from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism with an M.S. magazine concentration in 2012.

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