Published : 12 Sep 2026, 01:39 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:49 AM
New York Fashion Week has barely got going, and the city is already delivering exactly the kind of theatre that makes the event impossible to look away from.
Between major runway returns and some genuinely spectacular celebrity dressing, the opening days have given fashion watchers plenty to chew over.
A Starry Night at Bulgari
One of the first big highlights came at Bulgari's Serpenti Infinito celebration, where Anne Hathaway, Lisa of BLACKPINK and Dua Lipa brought serious star power to the High Line, according Vogue.
Hathaway made the kind of entrance people remember, in a strapless lilac chiffon gown by Alexander McQueen.
The fabric was soft, almost weightless, playing beautifully against her polished styling, while gold heels and a substantial Bulgari necklace set with a deep purple stone gave the look its jewellery drama.
As per People magazine, the outfit worked around her pregnancy without sacrificing an ounce of the glamour a night like this demands.
Lisa brought something else entirely. Where Hathaway leaned into old-school Hollywood elegance, her look felt sharper and more contemporary, the sleek, highly polished sensibility that's made her one of fashion's most-watched figures right now.
Standing alongside Hathaway and Dua Lipa, her presence helped turn the Bulgari event into one of the week's first genuine fashion moments.
Then there was Andra Day, who added a performance element to the evening, surprising guests with a live set that pushed the night beyond a typical celebrity-heavy fashion party into something closer to a real culture moment.
Prep Comes Back, Just Looser
On the runway, Tommy Hilfiger brought American prep firmly back into focus at the Plaza Hotel.
Gigi Hadid opened the show, he show, Reuters said, with the collection leaning into oversized polos, plaid accessories, relaxed trousers and Hilfiger's signature red, white and navy palette.
The message was not subtle: classic prep is back, just looser and more relaxed for a new generation.
Ralph Lauren went the other direction, offering a more refined take on American glamour.
Tailored trousers, crisp suiting, flowing eveningwear and rich textures did their job reminding everyone why Lauren's design language still carries so much weight.
The front row, packed with Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Elizabeth Debicki and Rachel Brosnahan, looked almost as polished as the collection itself, fashion magazine InStyle said.
New Names, Old House
The bigger story this week, though, might be happening away from the celebrity circuit entirely.
Diane von Furstenberg is back on NYFW's official schedule after years away, with Henry Zankov presenting his debut collection as the house's new artistic director.
Harper's Bazaar magazine also flagged major debuts from designers including Conner Ives and Magda Butrym, a sign the New York schedule keeps making room for new voices.
The Street Is Its Own Runway
And then there is the street style, which has practically become its own show at this point.
InStyle has already spotted chartreuse, fringe, oversized belts, leopard print, suede, novelty bags and '70s-inspired bohemian dressing taking over the streets outside the shows.
There is still plenty of week left, but the opening chapter of NYFW SS27 has already set the tone.
American classics are getting reworked, celebrity dressing is turning genuinely experimental, and the line between runway, red carpet and street style keeps blurring further.
The official NYFW schedule runs through Sept 15, with Thom Browne set to close the week, according to the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
More To Come
Upcoming highlights include Michael Kors, Calvin Klein Collection, Coach and other major American names, alongside emerging designers and international arrivals.
