Givenchy plans rare sashay down New York runway, open to the public

French fashion house Givenchy will make a rare appearance on New York's catwalks later this month when it presents its summer 2016 ready-to-wear collection, a temporary move which will allow it to squeeze in over a thousand fashionistas and wannabes to view its show.

The Givenchy catwalk show is due to take place on September 11, during New York fashion week, with Serb performance artist Marina Abramovic, well-known for pushing the experimental boundaries, helping designer Riccardo Tisci to put the event together.

The charismatic Belgrade-born art pioneer counts celebrities such as pop star Lady Gaga among her fans, while her performances attract people in the thousands.

The location of the New York show remains a well-kept secret as does the venue for the private party which will follow it.

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The theme will be "Celebration of Love". It will also mark fashion director Tisci's ten years producing men's and women's collection for Givenchy, part of the LVMH luxury good stable.

Alongside the usual array of journalists, buyers and celebrities, over a thousand members of the wider public will be able to attend the show, far more than could normally squeeze into Givenchy's Paris shows.

To obtain the sought-after entrance ticket, people must be among the first to sign up to an internet site which will be set up in conjunction with the New York mayor's office.

At the same time Givenchy will inaugurate its flagship Manhattan store on Madison Avenue, where the group had a shop until 2006.

Givenchy has two other US stores; in Miami and Las Vegas.

According to LVMH, the world's top luxury group, Givenchy is one of its strongest growing brands in terms of sales and profits, thanks to its fashion lines but also perfume and cosmetics.