Philly Fashion Week Marks a Milestone 20th Anniversary
Philly Fashion Week returns in grand style from September 16 through 21, 2025, celebrating two decades of defining Philadelphia’s fashion identity. What began as a grassroots platform for indie designers and creative entrepreneurs has grown into one of the region’s most influential fashion events, cultivating talent, promoting innovation, and pushing cultural boundaries. This year’s events unfold inside the historic 801 Market Street—formerly the famed Strawbridge’s Department Store—now transformed into a bustling catwalk of design, discourse, and creativity.
Founded by visionaries Kevin Parker and Kerry Scott, Philly Fashion Week has built an ecosystem that thrives at the intersection of fashion, business, education, and community. Over the last 20 years, PFW has welcomed thousands of designers, stylists, models, press, and fashion aficionados from across the country. More than a runway showcase, it’s a platform for empowerment and entrepreneurship, amplifying Philadelphia’s role in the global style conversation.
This milestone season celebrates the event’s foundation while emerging as a launchpad for the future. With its signature blend of inclusivity, innovation, and independence, Philly Fashion Week continues to reshape the creative economy and redefine what it means to be fashionable in Philly.
Philly Fashion Week 2025 Features VIP Guests and Events
To commemorate this landmark season, Philly Fashion Week is pulling out all the stops with a robust five-day lineup of parties, panels, and powerful runway showcases. Among the most anticipated moments is the arrival of two industry icons: Fern Mallis, creator of New York Fashion Week and author of Fashion Lives, and Corey Smith, Head of Diversity & Inclusion at luxury powerhouse LVMH. Their presence speaks to the global resonance and elevated profile of this year’s celebration.
The week kicks off with “A Seat at the Table”, a VIP Dinner and Wine Tasting on Wednesday, September 17 at 6:00 PM. On Thursday, September 18, the Avant-Garde Ball & Philadelphia Fashion Awards dazzle at 7:00 PM, honoring trailblazers and tastemakers alike. Friday night’s Runway I event offers a dual opportunity to experience high fashion and support local talent through the “Shop the Runway” activation—a retail-forward initiative that connects consumers with designers in real time.
Saturday, September 20, begins with the Business of Fashion Panel at 5:00 PM, followed by the Evolution Runway Student Competition at 6:00 PM, and Runway II at 7:00 PM, continuing the Shop the Runway experience. The celebration crescendos on Sunday with the Style Gala and 20-Year Legends Show, bringing together fashion elites, rising stars, and community changemakers for a grand finale at 6:00 PM.
Philly Fashion Week Elevates Designers & Community Vision
One of the core strengths of Philly Fashion Week lies in its dedication to showcasing a diverse, cross-generational lineup of designers. From legacy icons to next-gen innovators, this season’s roster reflects a bold spectrum of aesthetics, voices, and cultural narratives. That fusion of heritage and experimentation is what sets PFW apart—especially in a fashion world that increasingly values authenticity and representation.
Through initiatives like youth mentorship programs, student competitions, and retail-focused activations, Philly Fashion Week continues to invest in the future of fashion—right here in Philadelphia. This anniversary season honors 20 years of growth and grit, proving that Philly’s fashion scene is not only alive but thriving with renewed energy and purpose.
Whether you’re front row at the runway, networking at the panel, or raising a glass at the Style Gala, Philly Fashion Week 2025 offers something for every stylish soul and creative thinker.
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