New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 25 Season Is The Scene To Be Seen

New York Fashion Week [NYFW] brought its characteristic edge and elegance back to the Big Apple for the Spring/Summer 2025 season. With a blend of couture aesthetics and the latest high-end design inspired by streetwear, the season demonstrated that fashion is more than what’s on the runway—it’s a cultural spectacle. Celebrities, athletes, and influencers added to the energy, not just in the audience but sometimes as part of the runway itself. What was once a fading luster of NYFW is now glowing brighter thanks to the big names that graced the shows and the vibrant after-parties.

This season, one standout event included the Jordan Brand family gathering to celebrate the Flight Court x Téla shoe, hosted by Jackson and Satchel Lee. Designed in partnership with Téla D’Amore, one-half of Who Decides War, this intimate dinner at the iconic Bard Room in Hotel Chelsea drew a who’s-who of the industry. Notable appearances from Spike Lee, Swizz Beatz, and Tremaine Emory, among others. This dinner showcased Jordan Brand’s continued influence in creating a dynamic fusion of sport, fashion, and culture, adding intimacy to the mass appeal of New York Fashion Week energy.

Who Decides War, led by Ev Bravado and Téla D’Amore, showcased a collection deeply rooted in Victorian-era influences but elevated with a distinctly modern flair. The collection featured essential 19th-century fabrics such as linen, denim, and lace, reinterpreted to reflect their Americana heritage. The show also included a preview of upcoming collaborations with Jordan Brand and Pelle Pelle, stirring up high anticipation for what’s to come from the duo. Models like Alton Mason and Anaa Saber dominated the runway, while music artist Cash Cobain’s live performance added an exciting soundtrack to the visual experience.

The atmosphere was electric, highlighting how the modern designers of Who Decides War are shaping the dialogue around fashion, history, and culture. As a testament to their growing influence, collaborations and partnerships like these are further expanding the brand’s legacy.

LUAR’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, “En Boca Quedó,” captivated the audience at Rockefeller Center. Raul Lopez’s designs mirrored his personal journey of transformation and survival, incorporating themes of his Dominican heritage and queer identity into an intricately woven collection of leather bags, cloaked gowns, and statement shoes.

The limited-edition AMEX Gold x Ana Bag made its grand debut on the runway, adorned with charms reflecting the luxurious perks of the American Express Gold Card. The show celebrated Lopez’s evolution, making him a standout in this year’s NYFW.

The star-studded front row included Madonna, Ice Spice, Coco Jones, and Paloma Elsesser, creating a buzz that carried from the runway to the after-party at Rockefeller Center, complete with a surprise performance by Bad Gyal. LUAR cemented its position as one of the most powerful brands to watch.

Christian Cowan brought drama to NYFW with his Spring/Summer 2025 collection, showcased against the breathtaking backdrop of the East River and Queens skyline. In attendance included, Laverne Cox, Coco Rocha, JoJo Siwa, Isamaya French, Sheensea, Yung Miami, Dylan Mulvaney, Linux, Justin Theroux, Aliyah’s Interlude, Lisa Barlow, Law Roach.

Held at the BLADE EAST tarmac, the collection shimmered in silver, black, and cobalt blue—an unexpected color choice for Cowan, but one that made a stunning impact. The collection featured the designer’s signature star motifs and feathered embellishments, with sharp tailoring and the unique use of metal roses as closures on sleek, layered suits.

Cowan’s hallmark of blurring the lines between underwear and outerwear was present in both men’s and women’s designs. Inspired by theatrical narratives, Cowan’s show was an imaginative story of luxury, betrayal, and intrigue, likened to a fancy gala turned high-fashion murder mystery.

Elena Velez, known for her fearless approach to design, debuted her largest collection yet at NYFW. The Wisconsin-born designer brought a raw and compelling narrative to life with her Spring/Summer 2025 collection, titled “La Pucelle.” Using fashion as a medium to explore complex femininity, Velez constructed garments that told a story of autonomy, rebellion, and aspiration. Her designs, featuring elements from American folklore and symbols of female empowerment, reflected a deep cultural commentary that disrupted traditional expectations of femininity.

Velez debuted customized versions of the UGG New Heights collection while sending singer-songwriter Tinashe down the runway. In partnership with brands like UGG and OnlyFans, Velez pushed boundaries with her designs and her collaborations.

Celebrating its five-year anniversary, SP5DER Worldwide took a bold leap onto the NYFW stage with its first-ever runway show titled “Nocturnal Highway.” With a see-now, buy-now model, the collection was available for purchase immediately after the show, marking a forward-thinking approach to fashion consumption. Elevated lighting and a custom soundtrack by Pedro Cavaliere created an immersive experience, while a cast of recognizable faces, including Alton Mason, Anwar Hadid, Kyle Kuzma, and Mariah The Scientist walked the runway. The collection fused music, art, and fashion in a way that was undeniably SP5DER’s signature.

Willy Chavarria opened NYFW with his Spring/Summer 2025 collection, ‘América,’ where Grammy-nominated rapper YG took to the runway for the second consecutive year. Donning an embroidered windbreaker with leather gloves and heeled loafers, YG embodied the fusion of streetwear and high fashion that defines Chavarria’s aesthetic. The collection, which blends Latino cultural motifs with contemporary urban design, was a celebration of identity, inclusion, and unapologetic style aesthetically associated with Westcoast hip-hop culture.

With a crossover event of fashion and athletics, FWRD and KLUTCH Sports Group hosted an exclusive NYFW soirée that brought together NBA and NFL stars alongside some of the fashion industry’s top names. Guest included RVLV, Chief Brand Officer Raissa Gerona, COO of KLUTCH Sports Group Fara Leff, CEO of United Talent Agency (UTA) Jeremy Zimmer, Aaron Gordon of the Denver Nuggets, DDG, Fivio Foreign, Jordan Clarkson of the Utah Jazz guard, model Kysre Gondrezik, Vashtie, June Ambrose, to name a few.

The event, held at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, highlighted the growing influence of athletes on style trends, further cementing the intersection of sports and fashion.

This season, New York Fashion Week has proven that it’s a showcase of garments and it’s a platform for creativity, collaboration, and cultural expression that resonates far beyond the runway. Whether through Who Decides War’s exploration of heritage textiles or LUAR’s bold reinvention of personal and cultural identity, New York City fashion in 2025 is setting new standards for both grit and glam.