The Best Celebrity Outfits at New York Fashion Week 2026 Are Putting on Their Own Runway Show
Our take
The spectacle of New York Fashion Week has always been a fascinating intersection of creativity, commerce, and celebrity. The recent Spring/Summer 2027 showing, as detailed in this report, feels particularly significant, elevating the front row attendees to a status rivaling the models themselves. It’s a shift that speaks to a broader cultural moment, where individual style and personal branding have become as valuable – if not more so – than the garments themselves. The blurring of lines between spectator and star isn’t entirely new, but the sheer prominence given to figures like Elle Fanning and Cynthia Erivo suggests a deliberate recalibration of the fashion ecosystem. This echoes a growing sentiment within the industry, a move away from the traditional, often exclusive, gatekeepers and towards a more democratized, influencer-driven landscape. It’s a fascinating evolution, particularly when considered alongside the ongoing conversations about fashion's environmental impact, as highlighted in Fashion’s Most Disgusting Product, prompting a re-evaluation of the relentless cycle of consumption that fuels these events.
The elevation of celebrity style also reflects a desire for authenticity, or at least the *perception* of it. Consumers are increasingly discerning, wary of overtly manufactured trends and yearning for a sense of genuine connection. Seeing these figures, who are themselves often subject to intense scrutiny, embrace and interpret the collections in their own way offers a more relatable and inspiring vision of style than a perfectly polished, albeit impersonal, runway presentation. It's a subtle but powerful shift, moving away from dictating trends and towards curating a mood. The celebration of individual expression – as demonstrated by Katie Holmes’ effortless chic at a previous showing, detailed in Katie Holmes Made Slouchy Separates Front-Row Ready at New York Fashion Week – is a vital component of this evolving narrative. This resonates with a desire for quiet confidence and understated elegance, a sensibility that favors quality and timelessness over fleeting trends. The celebration of brands like Coach, a mainstay of NYFW and recently marking a milestone with For Its 85th Birthday, Coach Just Gave Us the Gift of a New It Bag, underscores this preference for established houses with a legacy of craftsmanship and enduring appeal.
Beyond the immediate visual impact, this trend signals a deeper change in the relationship between fashion, celebrity, and consumer. It's no longer solely about showcasing the clothes; it's about showcasing the *lifestyle* they represent, and the individuals who embody that lifestyle. The front row has become a stage in its own right, a carefully curated performance of personal style that generates as much, if not more, buzz than the collections themselves. This dynamic creates a feedback loop, where celebrity choices influence consumer demand, and brands increasingly rely on these figures to amplify their message. The result is a more personalized, and arguably more engaging, fashion experience, one that prioritizes individuality and self-expression over rigid adherence to prescribed aesthetics. It’s a move towards a more fluid and inclusive understanding of style, where personal interpretation and creative license are actively encouraged.
Looking ahead, the question becomes: how far will this blurring of lines between runway and real-world style continue? Will we see a future where front-row attendees become as integral to the fashion narrative as the designers themselves? Or will this be a temporary phenomenon, a fleeting reaction to the evolving media landscape? Perhaps the most interesting development will be observing how designers adapt to this new reality, finding ways to leverage the power of celebrity style while maintaining the integrity and creative vision of their collections. The quiet luxury aesthetic, so evident in this shift, suggests a continued emphasis on quality and intentionality, a space where personal expression thrives within a framework of refined taste.
The Spring/Summer 2027 season of New York Fashion Week began on September 10, but Ralph Lauren, Cult Gaia, and Coach got the party started early—on the eve of the calendar's first official shows. While everyone from Viola Davis to Cynthia Erivo gathered to see Ralph Lauren's "irreverent take on romance," Elle Fanning and Storm Reid celebrated Coach's 85th birthday by serving some of the best celebrity outfits, not cake.
Getting a head start on Fashion Month VIP attendance, Cult Gaia gave Katie Holmes, Madelyn Cline, and supermodel Iman free rein in the dress code department. While Holmes put comfort first in a slouchy-chic T-shirt and ultra-pleated pants, Cline stacked a leather bomber jacket over matching micro shorts.
Meanwhile, Ralph Lauren hosted its celebrity guests—most of them dripping in rich neutrals—five miles south. Erivo wore a military jacket, Meghann Fahy perfected the Olsen twin-tuck in a turtleneck, and Davis's cashmere-and-leather look delivered the fall inspiration we needed.
Now, with New York Fashion Week shows officially underway, local sidewalks will showcase as many celebrity looks as a Hollywood red carpet. While new artistic director Henry Zankov kicked off Day 1 with his Diane Von Furstenberg debut, A-listers will soon form a line around the block to support fellow fixtures of New York fashion (think: Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, and more).
But don't worry, Marie Claire will be your eyes and ears on the ground. Bookmark this page because we'll be waxing poetic about our favorite celebrity outfits at NYFW 2026 until Thom Browne's final bow on Sept. 15.
Martha Stewart and Kelly Rutherford at TWP
Martha Stewart (wearing a camel-colored coat and maxi skirt) and Kelly Rutherford (in a gray sweater set) exchanged collection impressions in the front row at TWP's spring runway show.
Iris Law at Coach
Iris Law's look at the Coach fashion show confirmed it's officially plaid season. She paired autumnal patterned trousers with a sporty shirt and a suede shoulder bag.
Elle Fanning at Coach
Elle Fanning's leopard-print coat, red leather skirt, and black beret (all from the New York brand's Resort 2027 collection) made her the best-dressed guest at Coach's 85th birthday party.
Storm Reid at Coach
Storm Reid sourced the same Resort 2027 collection from Coach, selecting a multicolored gingham mini dress to match her chestnut Tabby Bag.
Viola Davis at Ralph Lauren
"I absolutely loved it," Viola Davis told USA Today following the Ralph Lauren showcase. Marie Claire editors said the same thing after photos emerged of her cable-knit sleeveless turtleneck, dark brown leather skirt, and matching knee-high boots.
Rachel Brosnahan at Ralph Lauren
Rich chocolatey shades of brown dominated several celebrity looks at the Ralph Lauren show, including Rachel Brosnahan's belted jacket, wool-blend trousers, and top-handle-tote-turned clutch.
Cynthia Erivo at Ralph Lauren
Cynthia Erivo said that "it always feels good" to reunite with Ralph Lauren knitwear. She wore a romantically gothic take on the military jacket trend with flared trousers and a perfectly Parisian beret. Here's hoping the Wicked actor takes it for another spin at Paris Fashion Week.
Elizabeth Debicki at Ralph Lauren
Elizabeth Debicki was one of the few of Ralph Lauren's famous attendees who didn't adhere to a dark romantic dress code. Her monochrome caramel co-ord, with its Oxford shirt, identical suit tie, trench coat, and pleated trousers, stood out on the sidewalk and the front row. The shade and silhouettes looked ready for a dressier in-office day, too.
Meghann Fahy at Ralph Lauren
Meghann Fahy channeled the Olsen twin look by tucking her hair into a black turtleneck. She styled the high-neck top with a knee-length leather coat and brown bottoms. Between the iconic hair hack and the contrasting textures, The White Lotus actor didn't need any accessories.
Ariana DeBose at Ralph Lauren
Ariana DeBose attended her fourth Ralph Lauren fashion show straight, but her sweater dress, leather trench coat, and slouchy knee-high boots were a non-tailored detour from the suits she usually wears in the front row.
Eiza González at Ralph Lauren
Eiza Gonzàlez embraced the equestrian fashion trend the Ralph Lauren Way: by stacking a laced-up corset over a billowy black blouse, form-fitting jeans, and tall leather boots. The low-slung belt was the cherry on top of her outfit's horse-girl-chic cake.
Katie Holmes at Cult Gaia
At Cult Gaia's spring runway show, Katie Holmes proved you don't have to sacrifice comfort at NYFW. She looked effortlessly cool in a shoulder-revealing T-shirt and pleated wide-leg pants.
Madelyn Cline at Cult Gaia
Madelyn Cline joined Cult Gaia's front row with a sultry summer-to-fall shorts trend: black leather briefs. The Outerbanks actor committed to a full leather look with a baggy bomber jacket and matching slingback stilettos.
Iman at Cult Gaia
The way Iman strutted into Cult Gaia's spring showcase, you'd think she was headed straight for the runway. The supermodel delivered major fall outerwear inspiration in a tweed trench coat and the east-west bag trend.
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