Is New York Fashion Week Losing Its Shine Against Paris and Milan?

New York Fashion Week officially begins September 11, bringing brands like Coach, Michael Kors, and Calvin Klein to the runway.

But despite the glamour, NYFW has struggled to keep up with the impact and prestige of its European counterparts. To help, a new platform called KFN has been created with the goal of revitalizing the event.

KFN plans to expand NYFW’s physical and digital reach and introduce free venues for designers, which could save them millions in costs. Still, the absence of anchor names like Marc Jacobs, who skipped this season, and Ralph Lauren, who opted for a private showing, has added to concerns that NYFW is losing influence.

Some in the industry are even calling to merge the event into one annual September showcase, though many designers remain opposed. The fashion industry itself is also under pressure, with shoppers spending less on luxury and leadership shakeups across major houses.

Despite these challenges, more than 60 brands will debut collections across the city from September 11 to 16, in what organizers hope will be a refreshed and reenergized week for American fashion.