Let’s be honest: New York does not need fashion week to become hectic. The cars are already honking, the subways are already packed, and the sidewalks are already full of people with somewhere to be. For one week in September, though, some of the people doing the walking happen to be fashion’s biggest names—among them is a particularly strong contingent of our favourite Asian stars who’ve gone stateside for the Spring/Summer 2027 season.
Ralph Lauren was the first major runway to show, presented on Wednesday ahead of the official New York Fashion Week run. The designer famously stages his shows off-calendar—usually a day or two early—but Lauren’s place in American fashion is such that his presentation has become an unofficial starting point for the week. This time, Lauren took guests to the Jack Shainman Gallery in Tribeca, for a collection he described as an “irreverent take on romance.” Thai actress Junei Plearnpichaya and Korean actress Jeon Yeo-been were both in the audience, as was Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Elizabeth Debicki, and Rachel Brosnahan.
At Coach, the stage was set for an epic birthday bash. The brand turns 85 this year and the invite list to this exclusive candle blowout included Thai stars Nanon Korapat and Love Pattranite, as well as i-dle’s Soyeon and girl group KiiiKiii, who became Coach ambassadors earlier this year. On the runway, the festivities continued. Stuart Vevers mined the Coach archive for party favours: loose tuxedos with brooches that resembled pre-made gift box bows, and shimmering multicolour dresses accompanied by confetti-speckled Tabbys.
Tommy Hilfiger was always going to be a starry affair, after the brand’s Only in New York campaign made waves earlier this year for its stacked cast list of athletes, It-girls, and tastemakers. Shot at The Plaza and starring Gigi Hadid and Jisoo, among others, the campaign practically made their appearances at the show a given. And sure enough, Hadid opened the show Thursday afternoon, strutting through the hotel’s revolving door and straight into the famed Palm Court, where Jisoo took her place in the front row beside Penélope Cruz. Further along the same row, Thailand’s trifecta of Gemini Norawit, Phuwin Tangsakyuen, and Fourth Nattawat made up another pocket of star power.
Later in the week, all eyes will be on Calvin Klein, where rumours of Jennie and Jungkook appearances have already set the internet abuzz with speculation. One name we can count on, though, is Thai actress and Calvin Klein ambassador Lingling Kwong, who is confirmed to be heading to New York for the show.
Check back here for the latest from the front rows of NYFW.
Tory Burch
Coach
Ralph Lauren
This article originally appeared on Grazia Singapore.
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