Who Gets Front Row at Fashion Week? Inside the Selection of Non-Celebrities

What makes someone a viable candidate, a worthy suitor, to sit in the coveted front row during Fashion Week? I’m not talking about celebrities or influencers, the ones who are “known by those in charge” but largely unknown to the rest of us. I’m talking about the civilians, the 'regular' attendees that are there from various publications to capture the show. How are they deemed worthy?

I found myself asking this question while standing in line for a Fashion Week show. Those with allocated seating went straight in, as expected. But for those with standing tickets, some waiting for over an hour, the process was far more opaque. As the showtime approached, staff whispered among themselves, then walked down the queue hand-picking attendees with standing tickets, regardless of how long they’d been waiting, and ushering them inside.

I wasn’t the only one who noticed. A few others at the front of the queue exchanged glances. One woman, who had been waiting a long time but was passed over, muttered, “Are they really just letting people in based on looks? Oh, how I love this industry.”

The selections didn’t seem to hinge on race alone, nor even on how polished someone appeared. It was subtler, deeper, a reflection of the decision-makers’ own image of beauty and belonging. Body type, facial structure, and a certain unspoken familiarity seemed to influence who got picked. It felt like watching subconscious biases play out in real time.

The fashion industry has always been tough, selective, aspirational, and rooted in longstanding ideals of beauty. Even in today’s climate of inclusivity, the “minorities” included are often carefully curated to fit a palatable standard. True disruption remains rare.

Fashion, in my view, should be about artistry, vision, and personal style, not mere influence. While I understand the marketing appeal of dressing public figures, visibility alone shouldn’t outweigh authenticity. Style without substance is fleeting; genuine perspective endures.