NEW YORK FASHION WEEK OPENS ON 9/11 WITHOUT FEW BIG NAMES IN OFFICIAL PROGRAM

New York Fashion Week (NYFW) opens on September 11, 2025, without several of its most prominent designers on the official calendar, raising questions about the event’s cohesion and global standing.

major absences

Marc Jacobs, owned by French luxury group LVMH, presented his Fall 2025 collection in July at the New York Public Library. Ralph Lauren will host a private showing at his studio on September 10, a day before the official start. Their decisions to show outside the core schedule reflect a broader trend of influential labels operating independently of NYFW.

Industry observers note that the absence of such designers can reduce attendance from international buyers, press, and industry executives.

efforts to reform

Fashion platform KFN, in collaboration with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), is leading efforts to revitalize NYFW. The initiative focuses on expanding the event’s physical and digital reach while making it more accessible to emerging designers.

One of the central proposals for this season introduces a network of 10 venues, all located within a 15-minute perimeter. The spaces will be offered free of charge, providing options for large runway shows, small presentations, and shared environments where designers can pool resources. The plan responds to concerns that staging a single runway show can cost up to $1 million.

structure and scheduling

Critics argue that NYFW’s fragmented structure has weakened its international prestige compared to its European counterparts. Since the closure of a central hub for shows, presentations have been scattered across New York City.

Among the longer-term reforms under discussion is consolidating NYFW into one annual season in September, instead of holding separate editions in February and September. While some industry figures support this proposal, major U.S. labels such as Tory Burch and Michael Kors have not endorsed the idea.

broader industry context

The changes at NYFW come during a period of turbulence for the global luxury sector. Consumer spending on discretionary items is slowing, while many leading fashion houses are undergoing executive reshuffles and creative director changes.

nyfw 2025 schedule

Despite the challenges, more than 60 brands are set to debut collections during NYFW, which will run through September 16.