Like, once upon a time, slipping into a New York Fashion Week show was like stepping into a whispered conversation between the gods of style. Imagine it: the days of Halston, Dior, or a Lord & Taylor runway show blessed by Solange—these were gatherings where the front row was a meticulously curated mix of true socialites, the Vreelands and the early Wintours, the buyers with their checkbooks ready, and the editors who could make or break a trend with a single column inch.
Fast forward to today, and you know what I mean—we’ve ushered in the age of the influencer. They’ve become the new socialites, holding court with their follower counts and turning the runway into a carousel of Instagram moments. And while there’s a certain beauty in that democratization, we’ve got to admit it sometimes feels like we’ve traded a bit of the art for the spectacle.
But let’s not get it twisted: back in the day, these shows were business meetings disguised as cultural events. The buyers weren’t just there to clap; they were there to place orders. The editors weren’t just there to snap selfies; they were there to spot the trends that would fill next season’s pages. It was a glorious synergy of art and commerce.
So, here’s the conversation we need to have: yes, let’s welcome the influencers who bring their authentic style (shoutout to Jeneé Naylor, Chrissy Ford, Morgan Stewart, and the fabulous Yoyo Cao for keeping it real). But let’s also remember that fashion week is about more than just clout—it’s about the creative heartbeat of the industry and the commercial reality that keeps these brands alive.
In the end, darling, it’s about balance. Let’s curate our front rows with a mix of those who bring the buzz and those who bring the business. Let’s return to that beautiful alchemy where a runway show isn’t just a spectacle; it’s a celebration of the art of fashion and the commerce that sustains it. Let’s make New York Fashion Week a place where the art and the business of fashion waltz together once more—because that, my friends, is how we get the magic back.