(NEW YORK) IMG Fashion has announced plans to outsource production of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York and Miami. The bulk of the catwalk-producing duties will go to Laurie DeJong and her firm, LDJ Productions. The partnership between IMG and LDJ began in 2002, when DeJong lent services, such as managing venues and producing shows during fashion weeks in New York, Los Angeles and Miami. With NYFW’s shift from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center in 2010, the production company extended their participation with details from model castings and fittings to calling the show for the likes of L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Betsey Johnson and Christian Siriano. LDJ’s newly appointed role will leave them responsible for the production and planning of all shows that take place at The Tents, according to WWD. The change in production management comes just weeks after Mayor Bloomberg’s announcement that Hudson Yards will be the future home of New York Fashion Week.
A few adieus will result from the production outsourcing. Three IMG employees will be leaving the company: Christina Neault, executive producer of IMG Fashion, Jason Brandt, senior producer at the company, and Heather Stamm, production manager for IMG Fashion events. Due to these changes, Taryn O’Meara, production assistant, will stay on board with IMG during the transition while Jarrad Clark, formerly global director of production, will become the company’s vice president, creative director. Aside from being responsible for over a dozen global fashion weeks, IMG’s internal production team also aided with events such as the WGSN Global Fashion Awards, IHT Luxury Conference, and Fashion Fringe in London. IMG has also hinted at a few new exciting announcements over the next few weeks.
