Fashion

It’s Not Officially NYFW Until the CFDA’s Annual Pre-Party Says It Is

On Wednesday evening, the Council of Fashion Designers of America ushered in the Spring 2027 season with a bash at Le Rock attended by some 200 members of the fashion industry.On Wednesday evening, the Council of Fashion Designers of America ushered in the Spring 2027 season with a bash at Le Rock attended by some 200 members of the fashion industry.

Image may contain Sebastin Yatra Joseph Altuzarra Thom Browne Becky G Donna Summer Groupshot Person and Adult

New York Fashion Week is officially underway—with 70 runway shows and presentations taking over the city in the coming days. On Wednesday evening, the Council of Fashion Designers of America ushered in the Spring 2027 season with a bash at Le Rock attended by some 200 members of the fashion industry.

“The CFDA NYFW party perfectly represents why New York is so magical. It’s a mix of people from different generations and from around the world,” Michael Kors told Vogue. “No other city in the fashion month has this kind of diversity and energy. It’s a really fun party and to me, it’s emblematic of New York.”

The spirited affair, hosted by Thom Browne, Stacey Bendet, Joseph Altuzarra, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, and CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, buzzed with lively conversations—from recaps of summer vacation trips to hectic September schedules, and excitement over the list of nominees and honorees that was announced for the CFDA Fashion Awards that was a few hours earlier.

As the fete progressed, the brasserie’s historic Art Deco-era space swelled. Among the partygoers were Willy Chavarria, Zac Posen, Vera Wang, Christian Cowan, Dao-Yi Chow, Andrew Kwon and Prabal Gurung. Altuzarra, who was appointed to the CFDA Board of Directors in May, lingered at the bar. “It’s really exciting to join the Board. It’s so important for designers to give back to their communities and I want to contribute, to learn, to talk about everything that I think the CFDA should achieve and see what we can do,” he told Vogue.

Stationed nearby was Browne, the Chairman of the CFDA, who caught up with Tory Burch. “New York Fashion Week has always been important. Here, you see such a diverse group of individuals being their true selves, and that is very unique to the world,” Browne explained to Vogue on why NYFW is vital. “There’s so much talent in New York that everybody needs to see.”

Browne, who’s nominated for American Menswear Designer of the Year at the upcoming Fashion Awards, was spotted chatting with Allison Sarofim, the new chair of Friends of the CFDA. Shortly after Browne assumed his role as Chairman in January 2023, his first initiative was the creation of Friends of the CFDA; an invitation-only group of fashion devotees and patrons designed to support American designers. Members make an annual donation that funds the CFDA’s efforts to help emerging designers, advance sustainability initiatives, and promote greater diversity within the fashion industry, and in return, receive benefits that offer exclusive behind-the-scenes access. Browne and Kolb appointed film producer Sarofim in June, succeeding Jordan Roth, and on Tuesday evening, the trio invited some 50 guests to toast to the season at the Faena New York’s Living Room Lounge.

“I’m very excited to be a part of the CFDA. It was a total surprise and I’m completely honored,” Sarofim told Vogue after receiving congratulatory greetings from a throng of well-wishers. “It’s important for Friends of the CFDA to support designers—especially young designers. We have a big community already, but I look forward to exploring new ways to grow and bring more people onboard.”

Browne extolled Sarofim’s appointment, stating: “I’ve known her for such a long time, and she’s a really special person. She’s so generous with her time, her energy, and she’s somebody who has always been supportive of young designers.”

“Allison has always said ‘Yes, and how can I help?’ That’s how she thinks,” Kolb added. “She brings a real sense of sincerity too. There’s no ego and she supports others and gives without expectation, and that’s what the Friends of the CFDA program is about.”

Kolb has spearheaded this very get-together for years, explaining that it’s an imperative gathering. “This party forces a mental health break,” he said. “Everybody is so in their head or in their studio with their team, focused on finishing their collection, so we want people to come out and to remind them that American fashion is a community. We are here to support each other and celebrate each other. So it’s really a diversion from that final stretch of pressure and providing a little bit of levity.”

Kolb also helped launch NYFW Live at Rockefeller Center, a streaming partnership that allows the public to watch the runway shows for free. Prior to cocktails at Le Rock, Kolb joined Browne, Todd Snyder, Tommy Hilfiger, LaQuan Smith, Altuzarra, Bendet, Chavarria, Sebastián Yatra, Honey Dijon, Becky G, and others at The Rink for a ribbon-cutting to mark the third edition of the initiative. From September 10–15, a mix of live and recorded runway shows will be on the big screen at the iconic Rink serving front-row views, including the Michael Kors Collection, Coach, Tory Burch, Khaite, Anna Sui, Ulla Johnson, LaQuan Smith, Calvin Klein Collection, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Thom Browne shows.

So what can audiences expect from the designers’ upcoming fashion shows? “The inspiration is really about leaning into joy as a feeling,” teased Altuzarra about his September 12 runway reveal. “That’s a clue to the bigger picture.” And for Browne, who is closing NYFW on September 15, “It’s going to be this season’s version of Thom Browne,” he said with a grin.