Who is Fashion Week really for? Let’s be honest; it was never for the public (but shoutout to runway live streams, love you). It’s for the in-the-know, the industry celebs, and occasionally the fashion-forward actors. But in the age of doom scrolling and Emma Chamberlain-hosted Met Galas, New York Fashion Week has opened its doors to the ever-so-controversial crowd of influencers. With almost every fashion brand having a notable presence on social media, influencers are a shiny new tool for every marketing department around. I fully expect to see my feed flooded with Collina Strada pasted smiles and Sandy Liang bows in the near future.
However, is the authenticity and authority of fashion week slowly diminishing? Are these self-employed influencers with little to no industry experience ruining the bubble? My short answer: No. If someone is genuinely interested in fashion, has the best intentions, and can contribute and expand the industry positively, I see no harm. Ashley, a.k.a @best.dressed, is one of my favorite fashion influencers at the moment. She’s intentional, responsible, and lives up to her namesake with incredible taste. However, many other influencers fell short of my expectations (see Paige Neimann’s terrible catwalk). Anna Delvey, internationally known and memed fraud, hosted a show on top of her penthouse—she’s on house arrest and cannot leave the premises, so that was the only option. I still have no words for that situation. The whole thing is beyond comprehension, but regardless of your opinion on fashion week’s newest attendees, one can’t help but admit that they bring the drama.
My favorite fiasco is a video of NY-known PR person/doorman Markus, trendily dubbed “mullet babe” on social media, absolutely reading the filth out of a woman trying to force her way into a NYFW afterparty. She can be heard loudly and exasperatedly exclaiming, “I’m from Canada!” to which Markus coolly replies, “that’s why you’re not coming in!” and “Go catch your flight!” Other highlights include Markus repeating “I wish you well” three times over as she invades his space. Everyone take a page from Markus; I’ll definitely be using some of his one liners in my next doorstep face-off.
I think it’s easy to forget we exist in an ever-changing world that creates a constantly adapting industry. Choices are made, money and fame are followed, and modernity is embraced. Sure, it’s not always the right choice, but fashion week is, and never will be, perfect. Influencers and the dramatainment they bring will be around as long as social media exists, so why not enjoy the show? Runways will flop and reviews will be mixed, but the chaos created by humans being humans is forever.
Words by Miia Popovics.
Graphic by Punasa (Bee) Sihsobon.