The reality of a fashion week is that the stage extends far beyond the runway. For every collection presented, another performance takes place just a few steps away with the arrival of celebrities. The casting of front rows has become a strategy in itself, one that reflects a brand’s ambition as clearly as the clothes on display. Names and faces turn into symbols, carrying the spirit of a collection and converting it into cultural capital that travels far beyond the venue.
This season of New York Fashion Week shows once again that celebrity culture remains inseparable from fashion’s ecosystem. Their presence amplifies the clothes, keeps the conversation alive, and reshapes the cultural weight of a show. For NYFW25, Men’s Folio Malaysia looks at the stars who defined the Spring Summer 2026 shows and whose appearances gave the week its lasting sense of impact.