Counting Down to New York Fashion Week 2023

Fashion week in New York is the playground of anyone remotely interested in fashion. The event which typically spans over 7 to 9 days displays the anticipated collections of dozens of brands and designers to buyers, media outlets, and the general public. While some events may be by invitation or appointment only, other presentations are open to the public. Previous NYC fashion weeks have tended to attract people from all over the world and the fashion week season is often elongated to the few days leading up to the official opening as well as the days following the closing with complementary fashion presentations and workshops. Officially transitioned back to in-person shows after a mostly virtual season in 2020 and a half online, half offline 2021 season, NYC fashion week 2023 headlines various major brands with physical shows but is still seeing some designers choosing to release their collections via online lookbooks or digital presentations. 

What is New York Fashion Week 2023? 

New York Fashion Week is a citywide series of fashion events that occur twice a year showcasing a wide variety of models, fashion designers and their collections, celebrities, socialites, and media outlets. NYFW is part of the ‘Big 4’ fashion weeks that take place worldwide alongside the ones in Paris, London, and Milan. Although these are considered to be the biggest fashion weeks, there are several others at a smaller scale that also arise around the world throughout the year displaying the fashion to look out for and making way for new upcoming trends. 

When is NY Fashion Week 2023? 

For 2023, New York Fashion Week takes place from February 10th until February 15th, hosting 75 runway shows and presentations for different brands and designers. February 10th is also allotted as New York’s Men Day which is an initiative planned bi-annually to help support emerging talents and contemporary menswear and genderless collections. Designers and brands are situated in studio spaces with decor that incorporates their brand identities and collections. The New York’s Men Day shows are also open to the public, buyers, and the press. Although the official NYFW events take place in those six days, other events will be happening around the time of the major fashion week including parties, talks, panels, and workshops. 

Who is Presenting at NYFW 2023? 

The official preliminary lineup for New York Fashion Week includes 75 shows featuring returning names and some first-time designers. Rodarte will kick off the week as the first show on Friday the 10th and closing the season will be Luar. Below is a guide to some of the brands returning to the NY Fashion Week runway, plus a few of the most anticipated designers making their debut this season. 

Returning Brands 

Thom Browne 

Designer based in New York City and recognized for this reapproach of the classic men’s suit. Debuted his womenswear collection in 2014. For NYFW 2022, Browne presented his NY-inspired collection “an island of misfit toys” in how people find and create themselves. 24 of the looks were realistic versions of Browne’s designs, while another 24 were conceptual counterparts to express individuality and authenticity of self-expression. 

Altuzarra 

Luxury women’s ready-to-wear and accessories collection by Joseph Altuzarra in 2008. The purpose is to create a sophisticated, modern collection based on timelessness and uncompromised quality. For NYFW Spring Summer 2022, Altuzarra was inspired by the desert, its myths and mysteries, and the spunky spirit of world travelers to create a collection that combines radical functionality with vibrancy through prints and colors. 

Area 

Brand founded by Beckett Fogg and Piotrek Panszczyk in 2013. AREA is a design studio for fashion and accessories focused on quality craftsmanship, unique embellishments, and textile developments. The previous fashion week in New York featured concepts of worship, ancient architecture, and fetish based on construction, shape, and embellishment with three focused motifs: Folded Pyramid, Jumbo Spike, and Folded Bondage Bow. 

Carolina Herrera 

Known for her ready-to-wear collection and bridal range. Her signature is sophistication and quintessential American elegance. NYFW 2022 played with the idea of a garden and the fresh colors contrasted with some black to include a touch of mystery, all inspired by the book “The Secret Garden.” Well thought-out cutouts added an ideal mix of sophisticated and sexy to the looks for the spring season. 

Coach 

A brand known for the unique combination of the original American design and attitude, the heritage of quality leather goods and custom fabrics, and superior product quality. NYFW 2022 consisted of a collection filled with black, earth tones, and leather. Lil Nas X also acted as the face of the collection for the runway show. 

Elena Velez 

NYC-based artist from Wisconsin, known for the nontraditional synthesis of metalwork and high fashion. Featured in Forbes with a focus on the democratization of resources and artists' recognition who come from outside of the known creative capitals. For NYFW2022, Velez’s collection “YR002: IN GLASS” represented the anger of women in a post-Roe era, describing it as a “shrieking display of female hysteria with women on the verge of a nervous breakdown, united in fear and grief.” 

Luar 

Designer of Dominican descent, co-founder of Hood By Air. Luar’s philosophy promotes the continuous curiosity of ‘tomorrow’ that is dependent on the intersection of New York City and Dominican Republic. Luar’s “LA ALTA GAMA” for NYFW22 was a representation of power and confidence with the inspiration of what his family’s interpretation of luxury was in the 80s and 90s moving from Dominican Republic to New York. 

Michael Kors 

Designer of luxury accessories and ready-to-wear, including footwear, watches, jewelry, eyewear, and fragrance products. Dedicated to a vision of style that is sophisticated, indulgent, iconic, and modern. Michael Kors’ collection of resort wear inspired by revenge travel after the pandemic featured business wear and night-out looks with an “urban-resort convergence.” 

Tory Burch 

Founded in 2004, redefining American luxury with a global perspective. The purpose is to empower women and entrepreneurs. Collections reflect a love for color, travel, unique details, timelessness, and versatility that exemplifies classic American style. The NYFW22 collection played with contrasts and uniqueness, highlighting the American sportswear spirit and how it connects through the seasons. 

Willy Chavarria 

Designed meant to be empowering and expressive. Aspects of drama, excitement, and comedy are entwined through the use of color, silhouette, and fabrication. Often partners with other parties to raise awareness for social justice issues and support communities close to him. Please Rise brought the Chicano culture entwined with divine context to the NYFW2022 runway. Willy Chavarria’s collection focused on the rise of Latino aesthetics within pop culture and his place between the fashion world and culture. 

First-Time Additions 

Heron Preston 

Known for collaborations with Kanye West on The Life of Pablo and on the YEEZY brand, as well as with Virgil Abloh and Matthew Williams by co-founding streetwear brand Been Trill. The most recent collab featured the NYC department of sanitation for a zero-waste-themed collection. Will be presenting for the first time at NYFW 2023. 

Langston Howard 

Presenting for the first time in NYFW, this 13-year-old is the creator and owner of the clothing brand, The Top. The collection features inspirational messages along with images of iconic sports figures to motivate people daily through their clothes. 

Koltson 

Founded in 2003 by Robert Rodriguez, the sustainable designer brand will be presented for the first time at NYFW 2023. Rodriguez, who now is the new chief creative director for Halston, is focusing this collection on the idea of the common thread between art and fashion. The key is to also strengthen cultural awareness and vitality in the community. 

Cucculelli Shaheen 

A New York City-based couture brand founded by Anthony Cucculelli and Anna Rose Shaheen in 2016 will be displaying its collection for the first time at the 2023 New York Fashion Week. The brand is characterized by its combination of lavish embroidery and flowing silhouette inspired by New York City, classical art, mythology, and music. 

Nayon 

Established in 2022 by Nayon Kim, the New York-based brand will be debuting a collection at NYFW this year. With a focus on gender neutrality, the brand draws inspiration from the bodies of both genders to translate into innovative designs to elegant garments that are constructed or deconstructed.