The reports are tiring and rumors have run rampant regarding the discord boiling into an all-out New York Fashion Week conundrum. While the show must go on, today marks the beginning of history as it was confirmed months prior that this will be the last fashion week with Mercedes-Benz as title sponsor -- amongst other substantial changes that will be seen following the conclusion of the week-long extravaganza. Despite the increasing bout of concerns, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week begins today in the Big Apple with many keeping a close eye on key players and overall results.  

  Continuing through next Thursday, February 19, Lincoln Center and other venues sprinkled throughout New York City will host the Fall/Winter 2015 collections of nearly 100 designers and their brands.  While the number seems to steady designer participation from many years prior, a drop in involvement from larger brands such as Diane von Furstenberg, Zac Posen, and Christian Siriano raised eyebrows last year – while inclusion of smaller, emerging brands have boosted and leveled what was proving to be a dip in designer numbers. Our reports over the past several months highlight concerns for the future of Fashion Week as this latest run of shows will be the last to showcase at Lincoln Center, with Mercedes Benz bowing out as title sponsor as soon as the week concludes.     Despite the rumors, naysayers, and swirling fits of concern, New York Fashion Week (according to CNBC), still rakes in more money than the 2014 Super Bowl, the U.S. Open tennis tournament, and the New York City Marathon – boasting nearly $900 million in revenue each year for the Big Apple, with $532 million being attributed to tourist spending. With on-the-ground attendance reaching well over six figures and millions of web impressions being made worldwide, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week will strut right on with many eyes glued as to what may or may not happen throughout the course of the week. Designers of note showing for the Fall/Winter 2015 schedule include Tory Burch, BCBG Maxazria, Rebecca Minkoff, Nicole Miller, Monique Lhullier, and many more. While we here at DFW Style Daily will be keeping warm on the Dallas scene and staying locked in to the live streams, there are many of our fashionable friends who will be on location in NYC representing the Big D. Dallas fashion blogger Christian Craven will lead as the official spokesperson for Smart Water, heading up live backstage access and exclusive interviews throughout the week. Dallas divas and fashion influencers Vanna Collins, Mindy Loll, and Karen Michelle will also grace the scene for up-to-the-minute coverage. Lastly, Dallas designers Esé Azénabor, Allison Mitchell, and Baqash Wilson will showcase at New York Fashion Week and we wish them nothing but the best as they reach for not only national, but global awareness. For a full schedule, photos, and videos, visit MBFashionWeek.com.   Mara Hoffman image used courtesy of Frazer Harrison for Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz. Lead image credit Leah Frazier for DFW Style Daily.