What were the Blackest moments at New York Fashion Week SS25?
Another New York Fashion Week has officially come to a close, and over a dozen Black designers, including LaQuan Smith, Sergio Hudson, and Edvin Thompson, debuted their Spring/Summer 2025 collections. However, before it even began, Black people were making headlines.
Things began with Naomi Campbell throwing some light shade in the direction of Anna Wintour during Harlem Fashion Row’s annual fashion show and style awards. The viral moments didn’t let up from there. Days later, Tiffany Haddish made headlines for accepting a dare from the Hilton women during the Monse show. At least one other Black notable made headlines for appearing on the runway: Madonna’s son David Banda, who made his Fashion Week debut this year.
Off the runway, Black fashion industry insiders, influencers, Olympians, and celebrities peppered the streets as they attended shows and events in showstopping style. Elsewhere, Questlove kept the tunes coming during the Tommy Hilfiger show, and the week’s grand finale featured a performance by the Wu-Tang Clan.
There was a lot to take in this year, both on and off the runway. Below, we break down all of the above and more viral Black moments.
1. The shade felt around the world
When Naomi Campbell arrived later than planned at Harlem Fashion Row’s event on Tuesday, Sept. 3, where she was to be honored and presented an award by Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor left before Campbell arrived. Before she left, she made light of the moment during her brief remarks on stage, noting Campbell’s chronic tardiness. Campbell responded in kind, stating, “It wasn’t my choice to have the other lady [Anna Wintour]. I’d much rather have this, so thank you,” referring to Harper’s Bazaar Editor-in-Chief Samira Nasr, who presented her with the award.
Related: Naomi Campbell and Anna Wintour kick off New York Fashion Week with a spicy exchange of words
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2. Essence’s star-studded Fashion House
Fashion industry legends like Dapper Dan and Eva Marcelle were among the distinguished guests on panels at Essence’s Fashion House. The event, which took place on the opening day of Fashion Week, featured shopping experiences, chance encounters with designers, and more.
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3. Fashion Bomb Daily Fashion Show
Hosted by Vivica Fox, the Fashion Bomb Daily Fashion Show showcased some of the latest and hottest collections by emerging Black designers.
Related: Sergio Hudson delivers colorful ’90s celebration at NYFW
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4. Who Decides War collab
The brand Who Decides War kicked things off Friday with a first-of-its-kind pop-up shopping experience in collaboration with Complex at Lavan Chelsea. On Saturday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m., the brand presented its latest collection during an “immersive” fashion show.
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5. Rihanna was the queen of NYFW
Rihanna was soft-girl-luxury goals as she attended shows alongside her female bodyguard. Wearing coats that cost over $20K, the beauty mogul also made a grand entrance during the Alaïa show, complete with a man carrying her train.
Related: Black celebs add star power to the 2024 Paris Olympics
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6. Tiffany Haddish walks the runway
When Tiffany Haddish attended the Monse show, she had no intentions of becoming its most talked about aspect. However, when Kathy Hilton and her daughters Paris and Nicky dared her to join the runway, she accepted. The moment quickly made the rounds on social media, garnering mixed reactions from the public. While many criticized the moment as disrespectful to the fashion house presenting, the designers themselves applauded the moment, saying it was all in good fun to them. At the end of the day, she was wearing some of their designs!
Related: Beyoncé’s whiskey launch, SirDavis, is right on trend
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7. Black celeb children and athletes who walked this year
Tiffany Haddish wasn’t the only one to make headlines for walking during Fashion Week. While Solange Knowles’ son Julez Smith returned to Fashion Week to walk in Laur’s show, Olympian Jordan Chiles made her fashion week debut in Kim Shui’s show, and Madonna’s son David Banda (pictured above) made his debut walking in Off-White’s show.
Related: Coco Gauff wins a spot on the iconic Wheaties box
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8. The Off-White Show
The Off-White Spring/Summer 2025 show was the must-see show of the week. So many familiar faces were spotted in attendance, including national treasure Flavor Flav, Coco Jones, Victoria Monet, Issa Rae, Lena Waithe, and more. The well-attended afterparty may have been the only thing that topped the runway presentation.
Related: Olympian Jordan Chiles makes her runway debut at New York Fashion Week
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9. LaQuan Smith‘s show
LaQuan Smith debuted a gorgeous “lucid dreams”-themed Spring/Summer 2025 collection that featured model Winnie Harlow and held an even buzzier, star-studded afterparty. Leading up to Fashion Week, the designer partnered with Marriot Bonvoy to auction off tickets to his show and afterparty.
Related: Beyoncé makes a surprise appearance during New York Fashion Week
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10. Sergio Hudson‘s show
The iconic Sergio Hudson, who had one of the most viewed shows on social media last year, returned with his latest collection on Saturday evening — with standing-room tickets reportedly starting at $1000. On the runway, Hudson debuted shimmery, elegant evening wear in vibrant pastel hues. Off the runway, he celebrated with a luxe afterparty co-hosted by Christos Garkinos.
Related: Simone Biles’ parents bought her that Hermès bag. Are the haters happy now?
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11. Designer Edvin Thompson’s return to NYFW
After taking a three-season hiatus, designer Edvin Thompson returned to Fashion Week with a sensational Spring 2025 presentation of his buzzy brand, Theophilio. Slinky dresses with thigh-high slits, smiley-face print bikini, and leopard prints were themes throughout the fun and vibrant collection.
Related: While in Paris, Snoop Dogg reveals he’s a bag connoisseur
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12. The Emerge! Fashion Show
An acclaimed annual event platforming emerging Black designers, the Emerge! Fashion Show returned to New York Fashion Week on Tuesday, Sept. 10 for its 13th year. The show paid tribute to fashion pioneer and advocate Bethann Hardison and included appearances by designer Felisha Noel of Fe Noel and “Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard” star and model Nick Arrington.
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13. The Tommy Hilfiger show
Black star power was present throughout New York Fashion Week, including at Tommy Hilfiger, which took place on the decommissioned John F. Kennedy Staten Island Ferry boat purchased in 2022 by borough natives and “Saturday Night Live” stars Pete Davidson and Colin Jost. The event featured music by Questlove and a live performance by Staten Island’s own Wu-Tang Clan.
Related: Nailed it! These manicures are winning the Paris Summer Olympics
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