The Glossy Podcast: New York Fashion Week in Review
Release Date: February 12, 2025
Host: Danny Parisi
Guests: Zofia Zvaglinska (International Reporter), Jill Manoff (Editor-in-Chief)
1. Introduction
In the February 12, 2025 episode of The Glossy Podcast, host Danny Parisi, alongside international reporter Zofia Zvaglinska and editor-in-chief Jill Manoff, provides an insightful recap of New York Fashion Week. This episode marks the culmination of a six-part series dedicated to the event, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the week’s highlights, emerging trends, and the evolving dynamics within the fashion industry.
2. Overview of New York Fashion Week
Danny opens the discussion by noting a significant shift in the scale of New York Fashion Week compared to previous years. He observes a noticeable reduction in the number of participating designers:
“The official schedule only had like 50 something designers on it. And even a year or two ago, it was like in the 70s.”
— Danny Parisi [00:58]
This downsizing is contrasted with Paris, which continues to expand, creating a unique dynamic within the global fashion calendar.
3. Scaling-Down of the Fashion Week Events
Jill Manoff echoes Danny’s sentiments, highlighting the more intimate nature of this year’s events. She references specific designers who opted for smaller presentations or postponed their runway shows to September:
“Nobody cares about February. And I was like, whoa.”
— Jill Manoff [03:56]
This strategic scaling down allows designers to allocate resources more effectively, focusing on larger, more impactful shows later in the year.
Zofia adds that the traditional runway presentation has evolved, giving smaller brands alternative ways to connect with their audience outside the confines of Fashion Week:
“There's so many opportunities now to connect with customers outside of Fashion Week... the cost side of things has been shown time and time again that maybe a Runway isn't always the best way of spending a small brand's money.”
— Zofia Zvaglinska [05:45]
4. Trends: Fur and Leather
A notable trend this season is the resurgence of fur and leather in collections. Jill discusses designers like Stacy Bendette, who are returning to real leather and suede:
“Stacy Bendette saying that they're moving back to real leather and the real suede for the first time in years.”
— Jill Manoff [07:44]
Zofia comments on the quality of faux furs and the sustainability concerns surrounding faux leather:
“Fake furs have gotten very, very good recently... I think faux fur is much better quality and more common than faux leather, which... is like basically plastic, which has its own issues.”
— Zofia Zvaglinska [10:15]
This debate reflects the broader conversation about sustainability and ethical practices in fashion.
5. Sports Influence on Fashion Week
The intersection of sports and fashion was another highlight, particularly with the timing of the Super Bowl overlapping with Fashion Week:
“Destroyer of Worlds... had their show... right in the middle of the game. Like counter programming a little bit.”
— Danny Parisi [15:02]
Zofia notes the subtle incorporation of sports elements in collections, even as major sports figures befriend fashion brands:
“Stuart Bevers, who's the creative director for Coach, actually reposted something from Jalen Hurts, like, literally right before the show, him carrying one of the Coach Empire bags.”
— Zofia Zvaglinska [16:07]
This blend signifies the growing synergy between athletic aesthetics and high fashion.
6. Memorable Shows and Moments
The episode highlights several standout shows and moments from the week:
- Altazara: Jill praises the brand’s luxurious textures and rich accessories, noting it as “Joseph's best show in years” (07:17).
- Coach: Noted for innovative bomber jackets and dealing with external protests related to PETA (07:44).
- Tia Adeola: Danny mentions the use of fur on the runway, raising questions about its authenticity and sustainability (09:33).
- Unique Models: Controversial appearances by figures like Maye Musk and Anna Delvey, who showcased personal narratives alongside their fashion statements (12:11).
Zofia adds her appreciation for designers like Collina Strada and Sandy Liang, who infused nostalgic and playful elements into their collections (12:39).
7. ROI: Is Fashion Week Worth the Investment?
A central theme of the discussion revolves around the return on investment (ROI) for designers participating in Fashion Week. Danny questions the financial and promotional value of maintaining costly shows:
“Is it worth the investment? Like, everyone I talk to complains about how expensive it is to do a show.”
— Danny Parisi [18:46]
Jill shares insights from her interviews, highlighting that for some designers, the value lies more in community building and brand presence than direct financial returns:
“It's inspiring, it's something that people are going to repost at the same time, it's promotion for what they're trying to sell... content and community was the reason they mentioned as opposed to like any sort of a dollar value.”
— Jill Manoff [20:33]
Zofia reinforces this by explaining how larger brands leverage Fashion Week for cohesive brand moments, while smaller brands face challenges without centralized infrastructure:
“Most of the shows are held in one location... it allows the designers to share the venue, basically. And I'm sure that also keeps the costs down.”
— Zofia Zvaglinska [23:28]
8. Sponsorships in Fashion Week
The role of sponsorships emerged as a pivotal factor in offsetting the costs of participating in Fashion Week. Jill discusses unique sponsorships, such as Hidden Valley Ranch's involvement:
“Hidden Valley Ranch is having a moment on TikTok... they were trying to reach new audiences and took advantage.”
— Jill Manoff [24:44]
Danny emphasizes that not all sponsorships are random or desperate measures; some are strategic partnerships that align with brand goals:
“I feel like the, my sort of assumption whenever I see like a really random sponsor is like, well, maybe they really needed money or something. But that's clearly not always the case that it's like a brand thing that makes a lot of sense.”
— Danny Parisi [24:29]
This trend is likely to continue as brands seek innovative ways to maintain visibility without exorbitant costs.
9. Personal Gratification for Designers
Beyond financial metrics, many designers derive personal satisfaction and fulfillment from participating in Fashion Week. Alina Liu’s perspective underscores this sentiment:
“She was like, frankly, I wanted to do a show because when I was a kid I wanted to be a designer and so now I'm here... it makes me happy to do it.”
— Jill Manoff [26:03]
This intrinsic motivation reflects the passion and dedication driving the creative force within the fashion industry.
10. Conclusion and Future Coverage
As New York Fashion Week concludes, the hosts reflect on the evolving landscape of the fashion industry, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and community. They tease upcoming coverage of London, Paris, and Milan Fashion Weeks, promising continued in-depth analysis and industry insights.
“If you haven't listened to our New York Fashion Week podcast that we've done in the last week, go back and listen to them because we had some really cool guests.”
— Danny Parisi [28:04]
The episode wraps up with a reminder for listeners to subscribe and leave reviews, ensuring they stay informed about future trends and discussions in the fashion world.
Key Takeaways
- Reduced Scale of Fashion Week: A noticeable decrease in the number of designers and a shift towards more intimate presentations.
- Resurgence of Fur and Leather: A controversial return of luxury materials, balancing between traditional aesthetics and sustainability concerns.
- Sports and Fashion Synergy: Increased collaboration and aesthetic blending between athletic brands and high fashion.
- ROI and Sponsorships: Designers grapple with the high costs of participation, with sponsorships emerging as a critical support mechanism.
- Personal Fulfillment: For many, the intrinsic rewards of showcasing their work outweigh financial considerations.
This episode of The Glossy Podcast offers a nuanced exploration of the current state of New York Fashion Week, highlighting the industry's resilience and adaptability in the face of changing dynamics.