NEW YORK – Six days and endless shows later, this year's New York Fashion Week was one for the books.
While celebrities from Paris Hilton and Gigi Hadid to Viola Davis and Lauryn Hill made the rounds sitting front row at fashion shows and popping up at parties, designers both big and small took to the NYFW runways in Manhattan, Brooklyn and even Queens to showcase their spring/summer 2027 collections.
And in an interesting turn of events, a PETA protest and ensuing physical altercation somehow sparked one of the most talked-about moments of the entire week, which has spawned conversations around the fashion elite, protest and the old guard.
Get the scoop on everything the USA TODAY team saw (and heard!), in order from beginning to fashionable finish.
Harlem's Fashion Row Fashion Show & Style Awards
By the end of the night, there wasn't a dry eye in the house as emerging designer Waina Chancy of Atelier Ndigo took home a $100,000 check to help fund her fashion designs after winning a runway competition at the 19th annual event. It was a reminder that amid the glitz (oh hi, Tracee Ellis Ross!), there's real change possible in fashion. –Anika Reed
J.Press
John Slattery was one of the first famous faces to be spotted at the start of NYFW. The actor sat front row at the brand's fall/winter 2026 show and channeled his famed "Mad Men" character, Roger Sterling, in a gray tweed suit with a striped tie and black-framed reading glasses. The menswear brand also debuted the first womenswear collection since the 1960s, and one guest was overheard saying, "The skirts came out better than I thought," in reference to the series of A-line taffeta skirts. –Morgan Evans
Rachel Comey
New York Fashion Week was take your daughter to work day for Busy Philipps: The "Girls5eva" star, 47, was spotted in the front row at this show, accompanied by her 18-year-old daughter, Birdie. The presentation literally took us to church, as models walked a runway inside Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village, with a guitar player and drummer providing live music. –Brendan Morrow
Rachel Antonoff x Susan Alexandra Best in Show
The prettiest pups took center stage at the designers' 3rd annual runway show, which not only showcases their latest collections but also features rescue dogs in support of animal adoption. While stars like Natasha Lyonne, Jenny Slate and Busy Philipps, with daughter Birdie, came out to New York's Webster Hall to watch the show, other famous faces took the runway. Aly Raisman, Ricki Lake and Michelle Buteau strutted around the green carpet runway with their pups. But it was Bebe Neuwirth and pup Biscotti who took home this year's best in show title. –Morgan Evans
Ralph Lauren
"I loved it, the classic meeting the whimsy," Viola Davis told me after another impeccable outing from Ralph Lauren, which somehow manages to be equal parts fresh and classic each season. That's the duality of the brand: a timeless tailored suit emerges alongside a jacket bursting with rock 'n' roll feathers, with low-slung denim and an impossibly cool blue, fur-collared jacket preceding a simple (but not boring) navy blue maxi coat atop a flowing white gown. Plus, Cynthia Erivo (laughing with Anna Wintour), Ariana DeBose, Ella Hunt and more front row. –Anika Reed
Coach
An anniversary show like no other! Coach turned their spring 2027 runway into a glittering birthday bash celebrating 85 years of the iconic New York brand. Spotted in the front row were Storm Reid, Troye Sivan and global brand ambassador Elle Fanning. The celebratory show, which began with dark, textured garments, ended with a colorful explosion of confetti dusting metallic pieces and iconic Coach bags rubbed with gold and silver foil. Plus a massive shrimp tower, vogueing under the disco ball on the neon dance floor and a cake reveal at the exclusive after-party. –Morgan Evans and Anika Reed
Fang NYC
Before the show began, "Perfect Match" star Jimmy Sotos and internet personalities (including a fashionable Italian greyhound) posed for photos. Dancers in mint green playsuits performed a contemporary dance along the entry stairwell, later migrating to the runway. After a gender-expansive showcase of knitted dresses, silk tops and silver hardware, audiences "awed" as a backless pink gown with a pleated skirt concluded the show. –Kalia Richardson
Verdavainne
The fashion house brought summer vibes to September with a vibrant collection of swimsuits and dresses in a show, where a red carpet runway started inside Cipriani Wall Street and extended outdoors onto a balcony. The collection, designer Cyril Verdavainne said in a statement, is "about a woman in full bloom – confident in color, at ease in her own silhouette." –Brendan Morrow
Proenza Schouler
At Rachel Scott's Proenza show, contrasting prints and impeccable tailoring took center stage. Front row darlings Ella Emhoff and Cazzie David admired the collection's pops of yellow and cobalt blue that signaled the start of a primary colors trend that we saw at later shows. And the whimsical silhouettes whispered, "Let's get back to fun, shall we?" –Morgan Evans and Anika Reed
Tommy Hilfiger
One of the biggest talkers of the week: Jisoo and Camila Cabello had fans losing their minds outside of the Plaza Hotel, Kate Moss and multiple New York Knicks of past and present sat front row, Gigi Hadid and Romeo Beckham bookended the runway, Slayyyter slayed a surprise performance and Tommy Hilfiger brought out an adorable dog for the finale (though reportedly not Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's dog, Wendy). –Anika Reed
Rynshu
Billy Porter struck a "Pose" by stepping out as a model during the Rynshu show that took place on Sept. 10 around an outdoor pool at a New York City hotel – where, impressively, not a single person accidentally fell in. The Emmy-winning actor's presence seemed to take attendees by surprise, including one guest who exclaimed, "That's Billy Porter!" –Brendan Morrow
Alice + Olivia
The brand brought stars Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba and designer Stacey Bendet together as they posed on a pink-checkered carpet. "Personal style is what’s up," singer JoJo said at the immersive presentation. She follows a "no rules" mindset with her fashion, similar to the world of "Alice in Wonderland," which enveloped the event's attendees. Servers carried trays of pastel pink cookies, fortune cookies and pink champagne with mystical "Eat me!" and "Drink me!" cards. –Alyssa Goldberg
Loveshackfancy
Upon entering restaurant Dante, attendees were struck with an ode to the analog: Cosmopolitan-lined magazine racks, a vision board filled with sketches and old polaroids was placed against the wall. The bar was decorated with pink and white roses. It was a girls night straight out of what Gen Z was promised in "Sex and the City" reruns. When "Young Folks" was overhead at the cocktail hour, it felt like slipping inside a "Gossip Girl" episode, with the glamour and mystique of the Loveshackfancy’s lingerie, frills and lace to match. –Alyssa Goldberg
Christian Siriano
When Leslie Jones isn't around, you can always count on Tiffany Haddish for front-row commentary. Haddish was joined in this year's front row by a slew of stars including Mena Suvari, Evan Rachel Wood, Billy Porter, Debra Messing, "The Pitt" star Supriya Ganesh, singer JoJo and "Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star Bronwyn Newport. We also got a "Cinderella" (1997) reunion with Brandy and Whoopi Goldberg, and model Coco Rocha closing (and posing) the show to cheers from the many Christian Siriano attendees. –Morgan Evans and Anika Reed
Tory Burch
Easily one of the best shows of the season. Tory Burch consistently reinvents her brand to create the most interesting pieces you want to put on your body immediately. Plus, the cool girl front row of Lauryn Hill, young tennis star Alex Eala, Amanda Seyfried, Chloe Fineman and more added to the allure. –Anika Reed
Public School New York
Of course Public School was one of the most casually cool rooms at NYFW: Swizz Beatz posed for photos with Slick Rick, "Sinners" star Miles Caton and Carmelo Anthony snuck in just before showtime, and Solange's model son (and Beyoncé's nephew) Julez Smith and 21 Savage popped up front row. –Anika Reed
Simkhai
An adorable moment that looked like an optical illusion ensued when 6-foot-1-inch tennis star Venus Williams hugged 4-foot-8-inch Olympian Simone Biles before the show at Phillips Auction House in Midtown. Jordan Chiles and Knicks point guard Tyler Kolek were spotted front row along with actors such as Jordana Brewster, Madeline Brewer, Supriya Ganesh, Jesse Metcalfe and Minka Kelly. But it was all eyes on – or should we say swoons over – "Heated Rivalry" star François Arnaud and "The Summer I Turned Pretty" actor Gavin Casalegno. The primary colors were out to play on the fringe-filled runway, which also had standout lacquered looks. –Morgan Evans and Anika Reed
Monse
At Skylight at The Refinery, guests oogled over the 360 fishbowl views of the Brooklyn Bridge as the stunning show backdrop. Handheld fans and Fiji water helped to cool down guests in the sunlit glass room, which perfectly reflected the collection's floral-inspired sequined pieces, creating a daytime disco effect. In the front row, Tiffany Haddish, Nicky Hilton, Jane Krakowski and Jordana Brewster mingled, while Rachel Zoe was spotted filming upcoming scenes for "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills." –Morgan Evans
The Daily Front Row's Fashion Media Awards
The awards brought together names like Vogue's Chloe Malle, stylist Law Roach, iconic model Twiggy and former "Real Housewives" star Lisa Rinna for a night celebrating fashion's trailblazers and changemakers in the Rockefeller Center's Rainbow Room. Newlywed Jordyn Woods, in attendance with husband Karl-Anthony Towns to accept the Fashion Gamechanger award, told USA TODAY it was her biggest fashion moment since marrying Towns in August. –Rachel Hale
Monse x Eberjey Slip Into The Night
The fashion brand and sleepwear brand joined forces for an evening of pajamas, martinis, caviar bumps and photo booth pictures at the Instagramable venue Pearl Box. –Anika Reed
7 For All Mankind
The denim brand brought sky-high stilettos and Y2K nostalgia back to the runway. As the "girl on the go" models strutted down the runway in skinny jeans and micro minis, accessorized with chain necklaces, layered silk scarves and statement bags, famous faces like Brooks Nader, Charlotte Lawrence, Chanel Iman, Law Roach and brand ambassador Chloë Sevigny looked on from the front row. –Morgan Evans and Anika Reed
Anna Sui
Anna Sui is an OG of NYFW, and her Howard Gardiner Cushing painting-inspired collection was capital G great, with pops of bright green and baby blue, romantic floral frocks and exposed bras on top of ensembles or peeking underneath sheer knits or gauzy fabrics. And spotted: Marc Jacobs showing off his nails for the cameras outside. –Anika Reed
Tibi
Inspired by Nashville's unwavering country confidence and Dolly Parton as the city's "comfortable contrarian," the brand's spring 2027 collection showcased its signature heightened minimalism with pieces such as studded lapel jackets and shirts along with leather accents and accessories like drop-waist harness-style belts. Tibi closed out the show with Parton's "I Will Always Love You," evoking visible emotion from guests, including Jordan Chiles, who sang along. –Morgan Evans
KidSuper
Leave it to KidSuper to throw a fashion week block party. The popular streetwear brand, helmed by Colm Dillane, presented the second annual People's Runway – a showcase of budding New York-based designers, including Dillane's latest works. This annual event was held on the steps of Borough Hall in Brooklyn, with an area for seated guests and tickets that were open to the public, and later transformed into a free concert when Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean appeared for a surprise performance. –Morgan Evans
LETTONNE
LETTONNE took over The Mulberry for a celebration inspired by the brand's roots in techno music and underground club culture. DJs Andi Harriman and ANITA 4OX performed late night sets while guests sat for tarot card readings, sipped on martinis and enjoyed light bites. –Rachel Hale
Prabal Gurung
"Freedom is often created within contradiction," Prabal Gurung wrote in the show notes. That freedom was felt in the levity of the front row – Tiffany Haddish giggling with "Real Housewives" alum Jenna Lyons, Jordan Chiles seated between Coco Jones and Danielle Brooks, and Saweetie prompting many a camera flash – and in the juxtaposition of the flowing gowns with sounds of shackles, with silver anklets and jangling of silver attached to shoes. –Anika Reed
COS
Multiple PETA protestors infiltrated the runway at COS as Sharon Stone, John Boyega and Lupita Nyong'o looked on; then videos emerged of CFDA President Steven Kolb grabbing and restraining a protestor, covering the mouths of two of them. He's since released a statement and been put on leave, which has all only caused more conversation and commotion. –Anika Reed
Campillo
The COS conversation continued at Campillo, where the sun had broken through rain clouds and lit the outdoor show downtown on the water, with a Don Julio bar featuring a limited-edition bottle and sweet-smelling marigolds lining the path. The first model adorably waved during the walk, kicking off a collection where playfulness took hold in colorful taffeta hot pants or feathers, branded T-shirts paired with pony-hair embellished pants and a fun sneaker purse. –Anika Reed
Magda Butrym
A floral wonderland took form with a surprise front row appearance from Demi Moore. The actress admired the runway lined with pale pink rose petals, at one point taking a moment to smell the roses – literally – by bringing a few petals to the tip of her nose as she chatted with Kelly Rutherford before the show, featuring lingerie-inspired slips styled with edgy outerwear and textured accents. –Morgan Evans
Sergio Hudson
Leave it to Nene Leakes to cause a commotion. The "Real Housewives of Atlanta" alum had everyone in the Rainbow Room rushing over to get her attention after the show, which brought back glamour with Sergio Hudson's signature suiting, embellished animal print knitwear and airy chiffon and silk gowns equipped with flowing sheer scarves and capes. –Morgan Evans and Anika Reed
Ella Mae
The runway was lined with sand and glitter and framed with draping pink curtains as models strutted down with puffy skirts, woven dresses and brown sheer ruffles. –Alyssa Goldberg
Zaldy
Food on the brain? A fun silver-wear headpiece was one of the cutesy adornments at Zaldy, with a runway featuring brocade suiting, striped flowy dresses and leather separates. And at the after-party, there were homemade pies, gazpacho and arancini, a welcome respite for the hungry showgoers. –Anika Reed
Fforme
Gorgeous. Minimalism doesn't have to be boring, as proven by this exquisitely crafted collection, with hints of fringe, laser-cut knits and strong silhouettes on a neutral color palette. –Anika Reed
Tanner Fletcher
Editors and stylists ruminated on which celebrity couple could pull off a new age Britney Spears-Justin Timberlake matching moment in Tanner Fletcher's matching bubble gum pink ballgown and suit, both adorned in matching pink winner ribbons. The collection feature adorable additions of little bows, Swiss dots and delicate ruffles. –Anika Reed
Dennis Basso
Airy chiffon, tweed, beadwork and feathers took center stage. Supermodel Christie Brinkley, 72, stunned on the runway in a golden finale look, marking her first fashion show walk in nearly a decade. She walked to ex Billy Joel's "Uptown Girl," the song she famously starred in the music video for and which later became the title of her memoir. –Rachel Hale
Ben Doctor
What do "party girls" and "trophy wives" have in common? You might find them both at a Ben Doctor fashion show, so the designer says. The collection, "Ivory Tower" – presented by models wearing silver, glittery wigs and splashes of neon green – was her take on "what happens when the New York party girl decides she's had enough of the struggle and maybe just wants to marry rich." –Alyssa Goldberg
Retrofête
Retrofête made a return to NYFW, transforming the Capitale into a room with the feel of a swanky evening party with its collection full of lace, velvet and fur in shades of teal and purple. Saweetie, Brigette McHale, Danielle Pheloung, Lauren Tiby, Lauren Wolfe and Grace Rosà Jackson were in attendance. –Rachel Hale
The Blonds
"The ultimate blond" Paris Hilton, according to The Blonds co-creator David Blond, closed out the 20th anniversary show. The runway, which began more than an hour and a half after the 6 p.m. start time, featured fellow cofounder Phillipe Blond opening the show and tons of archival looks reimagined. –Anika Reed
Luar
Talk about a stunt: Raul Lopez's Luar brought the fashion crowd to the Unisphere in Queens, not far from the Billie Jean King Tennis Center where the US Open wrapped up just days before, but far from any of the other NYFW happenings. With a front row featuring Nene Leakes, Yung Miami, New York Liberty mascot Ellie the Elephant, Peso Pluma and a soundtrack including Nas and Lauryn Hill's "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)," the collection – a collision course of queerness and "disrupted" tailoring – beautifully showed that the world is in Lopez's masterful hands. But was it worth the trek? –Anika Reed
Advisry
The "America, Still" show from Advisry was meant to explore "the current state of a nation through the lens of 50 years ago," per the show notes, printed on the back of a paper church fan. "Coming to America" red and green plaid dotted the runway, with a black–and–white dress that looked like oil dripping down, multicolor lamé separates and unique versions of stars and stripes (plus an ensemble in Knicks blue and orange, perfect for their next NBA Finals run). Destin Conrad and KWN sat front row with Wyclef Jean. –Anika Reed
Sloan
Tears welled in designer Julia Sloan's eyes as she embraced the models showcasing her latest collection, "inspired by the energy of the sun," she wrote, and presented at the Magen H. Gallery. Verdant greens, sky blues and sunset oranges grounded the pieces in nature with free-flowing silhouettes mixed in alongside more tailored offerings. –Anika Reed
Andrew Kwon
The beautiful gowns took attendees to church while they sat in the wooden chairs at St. Bartholomew's Church, with the final look prompting gasps, as the deep plum gown's sheer structure and opulent beading glittered in the light, with jewels along the caped sleeves and jingling on the floor. –Anika Reed
Sabyasachi
Sabyasachi Mukherjee showcased Calcutta craftsmanship with his "Bengal Byzantine Broadway" show, marking his NYFW return after 18 years. The multi-seasonal collection, featuring 72 looks, combined Japanese denim and British tweed with Bengal embroidery, beadwork and the designer's signature maximalism. Christy Turlington opened the show in head-to-toe denim and actors Poorna Jagannathan and Rani Mukerji attended. The presentation also introduced a multiyear jewelry collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, drawing from Byzantine, Roman and Islamic works in the museum's collection. –Sameen Chaudhry
One Night in Bangkok
Soundtracked by rock legends The Rolling Stones and the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs, models posed along an overhead balcony before descending the stairs at this showcase. Heidi Klum's son Henry Samuel opened the show for Collector Project in a relaxed, white suit. Bangkok-based label Tarmafia followed with embellished vests and pleated skirts with sports memorabilia. Bangkok label Landmeé took a hyper-feminine approach, adding lace, embroidered trims and pastel pink bows to skirts, bodysuits and gowns. –Kalia Richardson
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New York Fashion Week recap: The most talked-about moments during NYFW
