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At last, New York Fashion week is kicking off today. This season, there are tons of exciting runway presentations coming to the five boroughs. New York City–based designers like Heron Preston and Sandy Liang will show their collections in the city this Saturday. And brands like Who Decides War and Luar will close out this exciting week of shows on Wednesday. While New York City isn’t like Paris, New York–bred fashion legends like Thom Browne remind the world that our city still has a lot to say when it comes to style.
However, you don’t have to be a member of the fashion press or a department store buyer to enjoy everything that New York Fashion Week has to offer. Since there’s so much going on in New York City that week, there’s also tons of free events and shows that you can check out without having to go through much red tape. Concerts, museum exhibitions, pop-ups, and even runway shows.
Here are the best New York Fashion Week events to check out.
“Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip Hop Style” Exhibit
When: Opens on Feb. 8 and runs until April 23
Where: 227 W. 27th Street
RSVP: Not required.
The Fashion Institute of Technology will open a new exhibition in its museum timed to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop this year during New York Fashion Week. Fresh, Fly, and Fabulous: Fifty Years of Hip Hop Style will include over 100 garments and accessories that define hip-hop fashion. Kangol hats and custom Dapper Dan jackets will be exhibited alongside Manolo Blahnik Okla Alta booties inspired by classic six-inch Timbs. Looks worn by hip-hop pioneers like Grandmaster Flash, ’90s icons like Aaliyah, and contemporary stars like Cardi B were recreated for the exhibition. Pelle Pelle, Gucci, 555 Soul, Louis Vuitton, Sean John, Polo Ralph Lauren, Wu Wear, and FUBU are just some of the many brands featured within the exhibit. The exhibition was curated by FIT professor Elena Romero and Elizabeth Way, an associate curator of costume at MFIT. The launch of the exhibition also coincides with the release of a Rizzoli book of the same name that’s also available now. —Lei Takanashi
When: Feb. 10–20
Where: 246 Malcolm X Blvd./Lenox Avenue, New York, NY 10027
RSVP: Not required.
Steven Barter’s New York City–based label Barriers will bring a special pop-up to Harlem that will only be open for 10 days starting at the beginning of New York Fashion Week. Customers will have the opportunity to purchase and design their own Barriers rugby with a series of unique patches to choose from. The pop-up will be held inside a classic Harlem brownstone and is located directly across the street from Dapper Dan’s atelier. —Lei Takanashi
When: Feb.11-12
Where: 345 Broome St. New York, NY
RSVP: Not required.
Reese Cooper is going to be in town for New York Fashion Week to unveil a highly anticipated collaboration with Merrell 1 TRL and a new project-based collection dubbed RCI Reserve. Reese Cooper’s Reserve Program is an upcycling initiative that seeks to recycle leftover materials kept within their offices. Every season, the brand is left with surplus fabrics, linings, snaps, zippers, ribbing, eyelets, screens, yarns, cording, and more to sample and produce garments season after season. Instead of just tossing these extra materials out, Cooper has saved them. Each piece that’s upcycled undergoes the brand’s own rules and regulations. One is that a recycled fabric cannot be used for the same purpose it was originally intended. Another is no new patterns could be crated. And lastly, all the pieces have to find a way to incorporate a patch pocket made from raw natural canvas. The result of this program are elevated upcycled offerings like an all -leather hooded jacket produced from left over leather from the production of varsity jackets and handbags within their AW22 line. Even the hardware on these upcycled goods comes from products produced within past seasons. Each Reserve piece boasts a limited-edition label that distinguishes it as being a upcycled garment separated from Cooper’s mainline collections. Those in New York City this weekend will be lucky enough to be the first to shop from these new collections before an online release later this month. Limited edition pairs of Cooper’s collaboration with Merrel 1 TRL will also be available.
When: Feb. 11–12
Where: Colbo (51 Orchard St.)
RSVP: Not required.
Fashion Week is all about designers showing off their latest creations, but we can also appreciate some good vintage gear. If you’re also someone looking to add some timeless pieces to your closet, definitely swing by Colbo this weekend. The boutique in the Lower East Side will play host to a two-day pop-up for Condemned Clothing and Big Iron Vintage. Expect a well-curated assortment of pieces from the ’40s to the ’90s such as Western shirts, Pendleton blankets coats from the ’80s, orange tab Levi’s, and more. This one is worth swinging by just to look at all of the history in one room. Even if you don’t grab anything, you’ll still want to come for some free drinks. —Mike DeStefano
Rhuigi Villaseñor's 'Rhu' x Zara Pop-Up
When: Feb. 11–18
Where: 146 Greene St.
RSVP: Not required.
To unveil the second collection from its RHU line with Rhuigi Villaseñor, Zara is hosting a pop-up during New York Fashion Week. Visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to take a closer look at the brand new assortment of apparel and purchase it ahead of its global launch on Feb. 20. This new product lineup builds on Villaseñor’s established uniform with embroidered denim jackets, colorful knit jerseys, vacation shirts covered in bold prints, and more. Guests will also be treated to interactive screens displaying the campaign shot by Willy Vanderperre and complimentary beverages from Cha Cha Matcha. —Mike DeStefano
Stella Artois x Luar Steluar Pop-Up
When: Feb. 15–17
Where: Faurschou, 148 Green St., Brooklyn, NY 11222
RSVP: Not required.
One of the most anticipated shows of New York Fashion Week is the latest from Raul Lopez’s Luar that will put a cap on the weeklong festivities on Wednesday night. But if you can’t make it out to the show, you can still experience Lopez’s vision with the Steluar pop-up. The space will be used to showcase an upcoming collaboration between Luar and Stella Artois. Items like hoodies, crewnecks, boxy T-shirts, and even a special Steluar chalice will be available for purchase ahead of their Feb. 18 launch date. Attendees can also enjoy an interactive art installation, mockumentary screening made in collaboration with DIS, video installation in partnership with Jordan showcasing looks made for WNBA player Aerial Powers, a panel about “The Importance of Building a Tribe,” and replay screenings of the Luar Fall/Winter 2023 presentation. —Mike DeStefano
When: Feb. 12
Where: LAAMS at 74 Orchard St., New York, NY 10002
RSVP: RSVP@ERARENYC.COM
ERARE, a rising New York City–based label, will present its “Purpose+Repurpose” collection at the Lower East Side retailer LAAMS on Orchard Street this Saturday. Dresses made out of old flannels will grace what’s technically the first runway presentation to ever be shown at LAAMS. Complimentary wine and food will be served. Admission is free as long as attendees RSVP via email. The show starts at 9 p.m. and will be hosted by Bodega Talks host Blakzini with music by James Internet. —Lei Takanashi
When: Feb. 11
Where: Secret Location
RSVP: By calling 917-444-5684 or heading to minuterave.com
Basic.Space, an online shopping platform that sells exclusive product from a select group of curators and influencers, will host a secret rave on Saturday evening. Kenny Dope, Junior Sanchez, Todd Terry, Club Glam, Eternal, LYDO, and X3butterfly will be performing sets late into the night. Anyone interested in attending will only receive details on the event by calling the phone number listed on the flyer. However, Basic.Space will grant guaranteed access to anyone who purchases an item from Basic.Space’s new Minute Rave collection such as this “Guapo Glow Lite” by Matt Pecina for $150. The glow-in-the-dark light charges while it’s on and then glows bright green when it’s turned off in the dark. —Lei Takanashi
Honey Dijon Show
When: Feb. 11
Where: The Glasshouse
RSVP: Here
Fashion week isn’t all about runway shows. If you’re looking for a nice way to unwind after a long day of running from presentation to presentation, stop by The Glasshouse to see a DJ set by legendary house music pioneer Honey Dijon. The Chicago-born DJ’s résumé speaks for itself. She has worked with legends like Beyoncé and Madonna, and played at events for fashion houses like Louis Vuitton and Prada. —Mike DeStefano
When: Feb. 10–11
Where: 484 Broome St.
RSVP: Here
To celebrate the relaunch of the BB 4000 2, Reebok is turning back the clock for this special pop-up. Along with sounds from New York’s own DJ Mil-house and DJ 9AM, visitors will get to browse a selection of specially curated vintage Reebok sportswear. The curation comes courtesy of local vintage shops Select Vintage and Grand Street Local. As an added bonus, anyone who purchases an item will be gifted a free pair of BB 4000 2s. Rounding out the installation will be on-site screen printing that allows customers to transform their pieces into true 1-of-1s. —Mike DeStefano
Daniel’s Leather Show
When: Feb. 15
Where: Harbor NYC Rooftop at 621 W. 46th Street
RSVP: Tickets available at Eventbrite.com.
Since 1995, Daniel’s Leather has either designed or sold leather and fur jackets for some of New York City’s biggest hip-hop stars. Nas, Westside Gunn, and Rowdy Rebel represent just a small sample of its celebrity clientele. Founded by Nadeem Waheed, Daniel’s Leather is one of the last of the original leather jacket retailers still standing in the Lower East Side. So it only makes sense for them to celebrate another year in business with a huge New York Fashion Week show in Midtown Manhattan. The presentation will be held at both 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. with an after-party hosted by Dame Dash at 10 p.m. Celebrity guests invited to show up include Nas, Fat Joe, Fabolous, Jim Jones, Jadakiss, and more. Tickets for all three events are currently being sold and doors open one hour before each showtime. —Lei Takanashi
When: Feb. 12–14
Where: 125 Grand St., New York, NY 10013
RSVP: Here
Dundu.n, an NYC-based agency promoting emerging fashion brands, will also be hosting a pop-up during New York Fashion Week. The space will act as a platform to showcase emerging fashion and jewelry brands with unique craftsmanship and sustainable practices through immersive activations. Brands include Mona Jewelry, Softnoise Studio, Maison De Hoe, Anna.Z, and Madeline Marie. —Mike DeStefano
The Peaceful People Workshop Powered by Solestage
When: Feb. 15
Where: SOLESTAGE 290 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012
RSVP: hello@swank.studio.com
The Peaceful People is hosting a workshop at SOLESTAGE NY on Wednesday February 15 from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The workshop will feature live screen printing on T-shirts and vintage 501 Levis denim that have been customized with embellishments from the label. Up for grabs are also exclusive figures and a raffle for the brand’s signature TPP Varsity Jacket.