NEW YORK, Aug 21, 2001/ --- Once again, designer Luella Bartley is saying 'cheerio' to her native London, opting to showcase her punk revival designs abroad instead. Last season, the twentysomething skipped London Fashion Week in favor of Milan. Next month, New York will be graced with her latest funky collection.

The fashion "it" girl will be showing in Bryant Park on September 9 at 5pm. Her arrival on the scene is likely a relief to IMG, who's dealing with some big-name no-shows in its debut as owner of 7th on Sixth. Badgley Mischka bowed out of his September 10 spot last week. Richard Tyler is also opting to skip New York fashion week, Randolph Duke will once again be absent and Helmut Lang is returning to Paris this year.

Bartley's camp says she has chosen New York for purely commercial reasons. The venue and production are free in the Big Apple, as opposed to London, so the young designer is saving a pretty penny by crossing the pond. She hopes to use some of that extra cash to hire top models like Gisele Bundchen, Amber Valletta and Bridget Hall for her show.