New York Fashion Week (NYFW) is known for being predominantly geared toward the sartorial-obsessed females of the world. Typically, if you want to view designer menswear, a flight to London, Paris, or Milan is required. But according to the New York Times, an industry-wide push for a full-fledged Men’s Fashion Week is gaining momentum, and it started yesterday with NYFW Men’s Day.

Image via nytimes.com

A group of ten American menswear brands banded together to present collections at Industria Superstudios in the West Village. The expansive space was the perfect location for the tableaux vivants, or living pictures, created by the group of designers, including J.Lindeberg, David Hart (pictured above), Gents, and Original Penguin. Media and buyers were encouraged to take notes and iPhone® pictures with the models.

“We love it because the editors and retailers want to actually see the clothes,” said Josh Reed, the chief executive of Gents, and this way they can.

In addition to creating a solution for designers and retailers in the U.S., these menswear shows provided options for the everyday man. “That Dior man or Prada man on the runway can seem unattainable to a consumer in the Midwest,’’ Mr. Reed said. “He still wants to be stylish, though, so we’re all about that regular guy.’’

Trends that stood out were short suits, tuxedo jackets in springy colors, Birkenstock shoes, and plenty of fun prints, as seen at the Original Penguin presentation. J.Lindeberg also gave a subtle nod to the rock ‘n’ roll era with slim cuts and wide lapels.

Models and American-made clothing? You better believe I’m in.

By Lindsey Doolittle, Men’s Assistant Fashion Editor

Check out #NYMD on Instagram for more visuals from yesterday’s presentations. Tweet us at @ruelala to share your favorite.

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