5 New York Fashion Shows That Made History

There’s only one word to describe Demna’s megawatt takeover of Times Square for Gucci: blockbuster. From an all-star front row including Kim Kardashian, Mariah Carey, Lindsay Lohan and Lady Bunny to unforgettable runway cameos from Cindy Crawford, Paris Hilton and Tom Brady, the GucciCore show was made to measure up to the 91-foot screens and 32,256 LED lights that provided its incredible backdrop. Packed with striking colors, ’90s suiting and fluttery feathers, the latter modeled by Crawford to close the show, the collection was every bit as electrifying as the neon billboards behind it. Even the makeup paid homage to New York, with flushed cheeks reflecting bustling city days and glossy red lips taking cues from spontaneous New York nights. Whether you’re dressing up for an evening in Manhattan or Milan, lean on the power of a statement lace bodysuit, then channel Emily Ratajkowski’s cruise runway look with Gucci’s razor-sharp ‘Donna’ black knee-high boots.

In 2022, Balenciaga made history by staging the first-ever fashion show on the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Yes, there were riffs on corporate-style suits and some seriously sharp shoulders in the Spring ’23 lineup, but Demna’s taste for the unexpected was also on full display, with models taking to the runway with their identities obscured by fetish bodysuits. Over their latex layers, they wore ‘wardrobe staples’ in elevated cuts and sharp finishes, while the eveningwear section delivered bold silhouettes, including floor-length silk trenches. Invest in the label’s sculpted ‘Vareuse’ LBD or its perennially chic ‘Le City’ bag in all its crinkly glory. Alternatively, try pink with a deep burgundy shoe to see your style stock skyrocket.

When Pieter Mulier served as Alaïa’s creative director, before moving on to Versace, he could seemingly do no wrong – his ability to balance architecture with softness was mesmerizing. These two ideas found their perfect environment in Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim. Mulier’s staging was the first major runway show in the iconic building’s 87-year history. Set on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the spiraling building embodies the architect’s fascination with nature and organic form – its galleries are divided like the membranes of a citrus fruit. It was in this setting that the designer demonstrated the beauty of form and freedom, with his tribute to American sportswear for the label’s winter/spring ’25 collection. The front row included a supermodel reunion of Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Amber Valletta and Stephanie Seymour, while Kendall Jenner led the models walking the runway’s curved ramps – wearing circle skirts, bandeau tops and beautifully draped hoods. Evoke Alaïa’s effortless chic with a beautifully sculpted coat in a thick, natural fabric like wool, or choose a dress that skims the body and elongates the silhouette. Alternatively, for a real fall/winter ’26 flourish, style Alaïa’s red ‘Infra’ sandals with a pair of purple pants. It’s the color combination du jour.

A New York minute, or four to be exact, was all the time it took for the Marc Jacobs Spring 2027 show to deliver the color of the season at the New York Public Library. The library provided the perfect location for a show packed with references: Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz; Yves Saint Laurent’s Spring ’93 collection; Chanel Spring 1993; Junya Watanabe Spring 1996; Prada Spring 2007, as well as his own work at Marc Jacobs Spring 1998 and Spring 2000 and Louis Vuitton Spring 2009. Jacobs’ takeover of the historic venue may have been short and sweet, but it was a lesson in how to deliver maximum impact. Styling models drenched in every shade of the rainbow, the designer rewrote the rules of color with a plethora of unexpected and incredibly chic color combinations. The ‘Gratitude’ collection included mini dresses made for dancing, micro-skirts in croc, stacked belts and retro tights. To borrow from Jacobs’ collection, layer yellows with pinks, blues with oranges. There are no rules.

How do you celebrate your brand turning 50? You stage a runway show at one of New York’s most iconic landmarks, that’s how. For born and bred New Yorker Ralph Lauren, nowhere else would do but Bethesda Terrace in the heart of Central Park – a fitting backdrop for a designer who has spent a lifetime celebrating all-American style. Models walked on a carpeted runway to the tune of New York Is My Home by Dion and Paul Simon in front of a star-studded crowd that included Oprah Winfrey, Jessica Chastain, Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway and Bruce Springsteen. Each look celebrated evening glamour with a characteristically Western twist. Think plaid blazers paired with tulle skirts, slouchy knits layered over sequin dresses and tuxedo-style shirting styled not with tailoring but leather pants – and a cowboy belt, of course. Country-coded checks are just as relevant today as they were in 2018, when the show took place, so you’ll reach for Ralph Lauren Collection’s ‘Glen’ blazer for years to come. Team it with the coordinating ‘Timothy’ pants or wear it more casually with a creamy cable-knit sweater and jeans.