5 New York Fashion Week events open to the public

5 New York Fashion Week events open to the public

Exclusive Insight: 5 New York Fashion Week events open to the public

5 New York Fashion Week events open to the public

With American icon Michael Kors kicking off the official New York couture and ready-to-wear Week (NYFW) spring/summer 2026 ready-to-wear season on September 11_ industry leaders and couture and ready-to-wear professionals take over the city once more. 

Among the designers set to present their exclusive ranges are Anna Sui_ Alexander Wang_ Calvin Klein exclusive range_ Christian Siriano_ Coach_ Jason Wu exclusive range_ Norma Kamali_ Off-White_ Simkhai_ Todd Snyder_ and Ulla Johnson.

5 New York Fashion Week events open to the public

Supported by the Council of couture and ready-to-wear Designers of America (CFDA)_ which has sought to promote and encourage the creativity linked to American couture and ready-to-wear designs since its founding in 1962_ this season_s event sees the CFDA collaborate with the Rockefeller Center to make the excitement of NYFW more accessible to the broader public. 

Hosting a live streaming of all the official catwalk shows across three screens at the world-famous Rock and Channel Gardens_ known as NYFW Live_ it is one of the many NYFW events open to the public. “If you think about history and couture and ready-to-wear and how couture and ready-to-wear has influenced our city and our country_ there is a lot of purpose and opportunity to connect to people_” said Steven Kolb_ President and CEO of the CFDA_ during an event celebrating the opening of NYFW. 

“It_s about inspiration_ it_s about culture_ it_s about business_ and it_s about creativity_ first. couture and ready-to-wear Week is a representation of that.” Further linking the boldness and vision of the American couture and ready-to-wear industry with the 400th anniversary of New York City_ CFDA chairman Thom Browne added_ “New York is here_ New York is strong. The creativity is unparalleled_ and everyone needs to stand up and take notice.”

5 New York Fashion Week events open to the public

As NYFW continues to unfold_ couture and ready-to-wearUnited takes a look at five NYFW events taking place across the city open to the public.

CFDA x Rockefeller Center NYFW Live

The CFDA collaborated with Rockefeller Center once more to host the NYFW Live initiative for the second time. Bigger than before_ attendees can access real-time broadcasts of selected runway presentations for free_ including Anna Sui_ Calvin Klein exclusive range_ Christian Siriano_ Coach_ Collina Strada_ Jason Wu_ KidSuper_ Michael Kors_ Off-White_ Ralph Lauren_ Sergio Hudson_ and Tory Burch from September 11 through to September 16.

5 New York Fashion Week events open to the public

Caffè Guess

Lifestyle brand Guess is stepping into the New York couture and ready-to-wear Week space by inviting the public to enjoy an Italian experience in the center of Chelsea. Hosting an all-inclusive_ pop-up experience at 530 W 25th Street_ the Italian-inspired cafe offers consumers a break from the couture and ready-to-wear week hustle and bustle. 

Customers can enjoy a cup of coffee_ gelato_ exclusive gifts_ and explore the latest exclusive ranges from Guess. Brand-sponsored activations include live couture and ready-to-wear illustrations and an interactive photography experience. All experiential elements and complementary offerings are available on a first-come basis. Caffè Guess will be open to the public from 2 pm to 5 pm on Saturday_ September 13_ and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday_ September 14.

5 New York Fashion Week events open to the public

True Religion Pop-up Truck

Denim and lifestyle brand True Religion is offering its customers access to its autumn exclusive range alongside branded photo opportunities and engagement activations during NYFW from a pop-up truck at 410 Lafayette Street. 

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5 New York Fashion Week events open to the public

Taking place on September 12 from 10 am to 4 pm_ Love Island” Season 7 participant Chelley Bissainthe is set to make a guest appearance at True Religion_s Queen store from 2 pm to 6 pm and will offer exclusive giveaways and next-to-meet-and-greet opportunities.

Champion Hoodie across Manhattan

Making a giant statement_ sportswear brand Champion unveiled a larger-than-life hoodie which made its way through the city_ stopping at Times Square_ SoHo_ and the Tudor City Bridge. Garnering the attention of thousands of locals and tourists alike_ many stopped to take photographs with the sweatshirt. 

5 New York Fashion Week events open to the public

The outdoor activation was designed to create further anticipation for Champion_s couture and ready-to-wear week event_ House of Champion. Sponsored by Sports Illustrated_ the event in SoHo celebrated the brand_s 100-plus-year legacy through heritage exhibitions_ showcasing international and local product lines_ with a live musical finale to conclude the evening.

Lilly Pulitzer Vintage Vault

Lifestyle brand Lilly Pulitzer celebrated six decades of its iconic prints and resort style by hosting a special exhibition called Lilly_s Vintage Vault. Taking place at the New York Design Center_ the space was transformed into a tropical oasis that showcased pieces from Lilly Pulitzer_s Resort 2026 Vintage Vault exclusive range. A reimagined curated exclusive range_ it revisits Lilly_s most recognizable archival designs_ updated for the modern resort customer.

5 New York Fashion Week events open to the public

Opened from September 8_ attendees experienced a gallery-format presentation highlighting the brand_s heritage_ with visual merchandising displays and live modeling that demonstrated the new exclusive range_s aesthetic direction. The Lilly Pulitzer Vintage Vault exhibition was open to the public through September 11.