Are Fashion Watch Parties the Next Big Wave?

COVER photo: The New York Times

The most important facet of high fashion, naturally, is the clothes. The expert tailoring, the dramatic fabrics, and the anticipation of seeing how these creative directors execute their vision season after season under immense pressure. Though arguably just as important is the curated spectacle that these luxury brands generate to create demand for their products. The spectacle is the runway shows, the afterparties, the premieres, and the galas. It is pivotal to these brands that their pieces are seen in the most exclusive spaces, on the most elite models, in the most coveted positions that money or influence could buy.

This, of course, creates a disparity–where does that leave those with an appreciation for the art form of fashion, yet were not born into or lucky enough to access the upper echelon for which the fashion world caters? What is the likelihood that an ordinary style enthusiast will ever see a show at Paris Fashion Week in their lifetime? According to Fashion Week Online, chances are slim: “Traditionally, most high-profile Fashion Week runway shows are restricted to fashion industry professionals, including buyers, editors, journalists, stylists, photographers, and celebrities. These exclusive presentations allow designers to showcase their collections to decision-makers who influence retail purchasing and media coverage” (FWO). Though through the power of social media, there might finally be some hope for the fashionably uninitiated. 

If you spend any time on the fashion side of TikTok or reels, then you’ve probably heard of Lyas (@ly.as0). His real name is Elias Medini, and his content - from candid interviews with models to behind-the-scenes looks at fashion shows to honest and authentic fashion commentary – has always centered on bringing the often unattainable feeling of the fashion world to viewers at home. His latest accomplishment was hosting a watch party for one of the most exclusive shows of the season, former Loewe wonderchild Jonathan Andersen’s debut for Dior, at a local Parisian bar–in the same context that people could watch a game of football. Yola Mzizi describes this event for the Times: “[Lyas] posted a message on social media in which he invited all of Paris to watch the show with him at Le Saint Denis, a cafe and bar in the city’s 10th Arrondissement. He brought his TV from home and arranged the seats to accommodate a modest audience. To his surprise, nearly 300 people showed up. And unlike a traditional fashion show, there was no list at the door, no assigned seating, and no opinions drawn out in hushed tones” (Mzizi, 2025). 

This sort of communal experience is the latest advancement in making fashion more accessible, and it is one that the youthful fashion appreciator desperately craves. This is evident in the resurgence of thrifting among Gen Z – the idea that you can wear stylish and even luxurious clothing for a fraction of the price is just too good to pass up. Furthermore, as college students, we have all the drive and hunger that industry professionals and insiders have, yet lack the access to feed our passion. Now, however, livestreaming makes being front row at Paris fashion week as easy as gathering around in a friend’s dorm around a television borrowed from home or a laptop, grabbing some snacks and drinks, and watching the spectacle all unfold. Those who only tune into the Super Bowl for the halftime show and people who walked the mile in high school can finally rejoice: the girls and the gays finally have the watch party of the year.

So how can you be a part of it? Where do we find these sorts of functions, and if there aren’t any, how does one even throw a fashion week watch party? Luckily, we’ve got you covered. The first thing to note is the timing: Fashion month for the Spring/Summer 2026 season is scheduled for this September. Each of the fashion weeks will take place throughout the month, so we’re letting you know now so you can get these watch parties in order. The specific dates are as follows: Tokyo Fashion Week will be held from September 1st through the 6th, and New York Fashion Week will be held from September 11th through the 16th. London Fashion Week takes place from September 18th to 22nd, Milan Fashion Week from September 23rd to 29th, and Paris Fashion Week from September 29th to October 7th. If there’s a specific show that you want to watch, you can browse through the entire fashion week schedule for each of these weeks on the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) Fashion Calendar website. Browse the website for as many shows as you want; you can even download a PDF of the entire week’s schedule. Next, you’ll need to know where to stream these events. Sites like LesFacons.com and Fashion Week online livestream these runway events in real time, and you’ll be right there as soon as it starts. A little tip, though: fashion shows start notoriously late, so be prepared to wait anywhere from 20 minutes to even an hour before the show begins. With that, go out and throw those watch parties! Be part of the movement toward fashion accessibility and community; while fashion caters to the upper echelon, it is the young and marginalized creatives who have always pushed the envelope in the fashion world.