Cafe Rouge

With nearly 300 runway shows and presentations taking place next week, not every designer on the New York Fashion Week schedule gets a spot at Lincoln Center, or even Milk Studios. Nor do some of them want one. Alterna venues reign amongst the cool kids—Proenza Schouler, Band of Outsiders and Rag & Bone, to name a few—and the stalwarts (Oscar de Renta, Donna Karan and Ralph Lauren always show off-site). Under-the-radar spaces are also the best bet for emerging designers who many not be able to afford the high costs of the Tents. (Milk Studios is better for young designers, but spots are limited.) Here are a few off-the-map venues generating heat this season: