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(NewsNation) — Scores of New York socialites and front row fixtures were left fuming this Fashion Week — as they were left off the “friends & family” seating and disinvited from many shows.
”It’s ridiculous,” one fashion insider fumed to me. “It’s all going to weird corporate people, celebrities and editors — completely understandable — but the tone of the shows change when your friends, family and customers aren’t there.”
What’s changed at New York Fashion Week
The problem began when it was announced that KFN, owned by businessman Imad Izemrane, had partnered with New York Fashion Week to reimagine the experience.
In May, according to Vogue, “KFN unveiled a five-phase revamp for NYFW, with the goal of completion by September 2027. The first phase is the introduction of the Venue Collective. The second and third involve the introduction of consumer-centred events; fourth is generating city and state support; and fifth is the introduction of a digital platform for NYFW attendees.”
And with the revamp which is being rolled out this week, come changes: including less personal tickets for designers to assign.
Are brand collaborations ruining New York Fashion Week?
”It’s all focused on branded marketing and who can get the most press now,” my source sighed. “It’s not very personal at all.”
And that’s not the only problem.
In a take-down, the New York Post announced this week: “New York Fashion week has been ruined by bizarre brand collabs with weed dealers and porn sites.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Models walk the runway at the Ralph Lauren show during September 2025 New York Fashion Week on September 10, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Models walk the runway at the Charles and Ron Show at Arlettie on September 10, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Gunter/Getty Images for F/Row Fashion Week) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Skye Ostreicher walks the runway at the Style Across The Aisle showcase during New York Fashion Week on September 10, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images) 
Dylan O’Brien on the runway at the Susan Alexandra x Rachel Antonoff Dog Show during New York Fashion Week held at St. Ann’s Warehouse on September 10, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images) 
Models walk the runway during the Ralph Lauren Spring 2026 Collection show on September 10, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) 
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 10: Chloe Malle attends the Ralph Lauren show during September 2025 New York Fashion Week on September 10, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
The paper noted designers were now accepting collaborations with downmarket supermarket brands like Hidden Valley Ranch dressing (with Melke), Goldfish, Qdoba, and a cannabis “concept store, Gotham — which will pair up with Colin Strada, who will send models down the catwalk with ‘discreet vape pockets.'”
And the cost now is so high, brands are even turning to places like Pornhub to foot back their shows, as the fake heiress turned designer Anna Delvey did this Fall.
”The magic is gone,” my source said. “It used to be so much fun. Now, it’s just a huge sellout.”