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.”
