August is the time to reap what you’ve sown, quite literally even, as most summer vegetables are ready to be harvested.

It goes without saying, that August then is a time to celebrate a good harvest and a good summer!

It’s also a great time of the year in the southern hemisphere, as winter is finally starting to wrap up, and spring begins to knock on the door.

Like every other month of the year, August has plenty to show for itself.

Let’s take a look at the origins of August, the traditions we celebrate during it, as well as some fun little facts to bring it all together!

Women’s Equality Day (26th August)

In the 1960s and 70s feminist activists were calling loudly for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, and at first it seemed to be gaining steam. In 1972 it went through the Senate and House of Representatives and was sent out to the states for ratification. The amendment had 7 years to be ratified by 38 states. Within the first year, 22 states ratified it, but strong opposition began to form as the political tide turned conservative, and by the mid-seventies the process had all but stalled out. When the deadline was up, the ERA was three states short of full ratification. Since then the ERA has been reintroduced in every session of Congress, but still has not been ratified.

Why We Need the ERA

Many current critics of the ERA say that it’s 2018, we’ve come a long way, and we don’t need it anymore. According to them, men and women are already seen as equal in our country. But we know that the constitution was written with only one group of people in mind: white men. As the Civil Rights movement did with race, the women’s rights movement challenged the systems that were built to exclude people based on their gender. The late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia addressed this clearly in an interview where he said, “Certainly the Constitution does not require discrimination on the basis of sex. The only issue is whether it prohibits it. It doesn’t.” This is exactly why we need the ERA.

The longer that the Constitution remains without the Equal Rights Amendment, the more that women just like us will continue to fall through the cracks of our legal system. The Equal Rights Amendment would create a legal standard for deciding cases of discrimination based on gender, it would defend against the dissolution of advancements to women’s rights, and it would set a nation wide standard for gender equality. These are all things that will help you and me be able to live out our fullest potential.

What We Can Do To Help

The most important way that we can help the ERA become a reality is to support and advocate for women by joining movements that do the work of teaching women and girls what their rights are and ensuring that they have every opportunity to reach their full potential. Initiatives like Live Your Dream provide women and girls with the tools they need to achieve their goals. We need to join with causes that matter to us and support programs like this that promote greater equality in our society.

It is also so important to educate ourselves and others about the Equal Rights Amendment. The ERA Coalition recently released a study showing that 80% of Americans don’t know that the Equal Rights Amendment isn’t part of the US Constitution. How can we change something if we don’t even know about it? We have to speak up in our communities and teach women and girls that they have the right to demand change from the government that is supposed to serve them.

100 years ago Alice Paul had a dream for a more equal society. She wanted all of us to be able live in a place where women were seen as equal in every way. Today is the day that we can make that dream a reality. Our Constitution should and must be the foundation for building a more inclusive and equitable future for all people. It’s up to us to change that.

Top 26 Fashion Trends in August

The August 2022 fashion innovations highlight various social values. Creatives often use their work to showcase social commentary and discuss our value systems. From 60s inspired sports uniforms to gender-inclusive lifestyle collections, these styles spotlight today’s most important points of discussion.

Brands are shifting their lenses to make not only fashion statements but social statements as well. Consumers want to know that the brands they support align with their personal value systems. For example, Gilly Hicks’ underwear, loungewear, and activewear suits highlight the importance of fashion inclusivity. Targeted towards Gen Z, the collection boasts patterns and colors that suit everyone, regardless of their gender identity.

Another value-rooted fashion example is Ben Sherman’s Olympic uniform design for Team Great Britain. Inspired by the style of the team’s 1964 athletes, the uniforms pay homage to former inspirations, combining the past and the present in one seamless design.

What to Expect at New York Fashion Week Fall 2022

New York Fashion Week is going forward for the fall 2022 season.

Despite the recent surge of COVID-19 cases over the holidays, the upcoming fashion week is going on with a lengthy list of designers set to put on in-person runway shows. Many designers who have historically shown during New York Fashion Week are returning — Michael Kors, Tory Burch, Proenza Schouler, Christian Siriano, Brandon Maxwell and many others — while a few have opted out, including Tom Ford, Thom Browne, Monse and Rodarte.

This season will also see the 17th edition of New York Men’s Day, sponsored for the first time by Perry Ellis, which is relaunching the Perry Ellis America line.

Here, WWD breaks down everything you need to know about New York Fashion Week fall 2022. Read on for more.

When is New York Fashion Week fall 2022? 

New York Fashion Week will take place from Feb. 11 to Feb. 16. The shows start with Proenza Schouler and end with The Blonds.

Where is New York Fashion Week taking place?

Spring Studios continues to be the home of New York Fashion Week, however, like with previous seasons, many designers will show at various locations throughout New York City.

Which designers are presenting fall 2022 collections at New York Fashion Week?

A lengthy list of designers and brands will be showing their fall 2022 collections during fashion week, including Anna Sui, Christian Siriano, Brandon Maxwell, Carolina Herrera, Gabriela Hearst, Joseph Altuzarra, Jason Wu, LaQuan Smith, Michael Kors, Alice + Olivia, Markarian, Eckhaus Latta, Khaite, Peter Do, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Tory Burch, Telfar, Sergio Hudson and many others.

Several brands are putting on their first in-person activations, including PatBo, Dauphinette, Interior, Judy Turner, Loring, Luchen, Melke, Saint Sintra and Zankov.

Designer brands like Helmut Lang, Veronica Beard, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jonathan Simkhai and Bach Mai are showing their collections by appointment.

Are there any changes to the New York Fashion Week schedule? 

The schedule is seeing minor changes as designers are changing up the times that they put on their shows. For example, Kors will be showing his fall 2022 collection on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m. rather than his typical 10 a.m. show. Burch is also showing on Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. rather than her typical Sunday show. Proenza Schouler is scheduled to host two back-to-back shows on Feb. 11 at 4 and 5 p.m.

Several brands are forgoing the in-person show for digital releases, including Area, Tanya Taylor, Cinq à Sept, Et Ochs, Badgley Mischka, Sandy Liang and Adam Lippes, among others.

Which designers aren’t participating?

Although he was initially scheduled to close New York Fashion Week, designer Tom Ford announced on Jan. 24 that he would no longer put on his fall 2022 runway show due to the pandemic. The CFDA chairman will instead release the collection in a digital look book at a later time.

Thom Browne also revealed on Jan. 26 that he is pushing his fashion week show to April 29. He also delayed his presentation due to COVID-19.

According to the official New York Fashion Week calendar, Rodarte and Monse are not scheduled for runway shows. Spokespeople from both brands confirmed to WWD that they will not be putting on runway shows this season. 

Is New York Fashion Week fall 2022 in-person?

New York Fashion Week will be mostly in-person, with only a handful of brands opting to show their collections digitally.

What are the health and safety measures for New York Fashion Week fall 2022?

Like last season, proof of the COVID-19 vaccine will be required for anyone attending New York Fashion Week.

When is New York Men’s Day?  

New York Men’s Day is going forward on Feb. 11 for its 17th edition. For the first time, the event is being sponsored by Perry Ellis, which is relaunching the Perry Ellis America line.

The designers participating are Atelier Cillian, Clara Son, Nicholas Raefski, A. Potts, William Frederick, Stan, Teddy Vonranson and The Academy New York. New York Men’s Day will be hosted at Canoe Studios. In addition to the in-person presentations, the brands will provide a digital look book of their fall 2022 collections on the CFDA’s Runway360 platform.

How can I watch New York Fashion Week fall 2022 shows?

Like previous seasons, many designers will stream their runway shows on their social media platforms. Many shows will also be livestreamed on NYFW.com and available through Runway360.