Style Check | American cities compete with Milan and Paris for fashion shows

Italian designer Riccardo Tisci has always been a contrarian. From embracing transgender models long before Caitlyn Jenner made it a hot topic, to befriending the likes of reality show stars such as the Kardashian clan without your typical Parisian high fashion snobbery, he doesn't take the expected route. Have you seen the latest Givenchy campaign starring Donatella Versace, a rival designer? Point proven.

So when Givenchy, the storied French house which he has helmed since 2005, announced it would be moving its next fashion week show (women's spring-summer 2016) away from Paris, many were surprised. Instead the brand will hold its show in New York. And Tisci has enlisted artist and friend, New York-based Marina Abramovic, to help him art-direct the show.

It's a huge privilege to be part of Paris Fashion Week, and is much fought for with participating names such as Christian Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy being some of the biggest and most influential in the industry. But with much of Europe in dire straits economically, and America's growing fashion clout, Givenchy's move this season is also symbolic.

The show will mark the opening of a new flagship on Madison Avenue as well as a major effort to grow in the American market. Unfortunately, as is the case for designers in New York every September fashion week, it's scheduled to run on September 11.

Tisci acknowledged that it would be "a very delicate day" for America and the city of New York in a chat with trade publication , but that he wanted it to be "a celebration of love". However, there will always be a tinge of awkwardness or inappropriateness when celebrating high fashion during such a tragic anniversary. Tisci has to tread lightly and carefully.