Music's Best Moments at New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026
Another music-heavy NYFW, filled with live performances from Leon Thomas and Cisco Swank, as well as runway appearances from King Princess and Bktherula.
Down to its core, New York Fashion Week has always had roots in music. With runways and collection presentations staged on some of the most culturally influential streets in the country, the convergence between music and fashion is on full, front-row display each NYFW season.
Spring/Summer 2026 was no exception.
While opinions seem mixed on the fashion this season, it’s undeniable that last week’s runways brought some of the best mergers of music and fashion. From live performances to runway cameos, we’ve rounded up our favorite music moments from New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 below.
Leon Thomas Live Soundtracks the Who Decides War Runway Show
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Téla D’amore and Ev Bravado‘s Who Decides War label has, for a long time, been closely intertwined with the music zeitgeist. Donned by some of the biggest rappers and artists across the industry, the brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 “READ THE ROOM” foray took its connection to the current music scene to a new level, enlisting the likes of Leon Thomas to live soundtrack the runway presentation. With a microphone and guitar stand set up in the middle of the warehouse, Thomas ran through a setlist of his classics and unreleased tracks, closing out with “MUTT” for the final carousel and D’amore and Bravado’s bow.
Kodak Black Gives a Show-Long Standing Ovation at Private Policy
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A known fan of the brand, Kodak Black pulled up on Friday’s Private Policy show. Models strutted the NYC label’s Spring/Summer 2025 collection across an open space warehouse, as Black stood up to watch the entire time.
Ty Dolla $ign Curates the Laquan Smith Runway Soundtrack
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In the final slot on the official CFDA New York Fashion Week calendar, Laquan Smith had big shoes to fill. Set at the Classic Car Club of Manhattan, the striking new collection was a spectacle in itself, but its narrative component rose to a whole new height with the immersive soundtrack, curated by front row attendee, Ty Dolla $ign.
Theophilio Brings the “Riddim” to Brooklyn
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A true love letter to the Caribbean, the guiding concept of Theophilio‘s Spring/Summer 2025 collection was “Riddim,” the sounds of Edvin Thompson’s hometown. The vibrant hues on the runway were brought to life by a percussive soundtrack that permeated the dim-lit room in Brooklyn’s SAA.
Advisry Features Live Mixing by Cisco Swank
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Advisry is another label in which music has always played a key influence. The Keith Herron-helmed label has long leaned into sonics to build and elevate its garments. For its Fall/Winter 2025 ready-to-wear range, which debuted on the NYFW runway, Herron tapped Cisco Swank to conduct live mixing as the collection came down the runway. Entitled “4 Moral Tales,” the new Advisry show was split into four parts, and the music, in tandem, was split into four different sets, with each one evoking a new mood that emulated that of the garments in front of us.
King Princess Walks Jane Wade
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Jane Wade‘s Spring/Summer 2026 show was a clean comingling of fashion and tech, staged in a Brooklyn showcase called “THE FULFILLMENT.” Featuring a collaboration with London-based tech company Nothing, the runway show included a walk from King Princess – who donned a pair of the collaborative wireless headphones.
All the Music Icons Sat in Laquan Smith’s Front Row
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Circling back to Laquan Smith’s captivating closing showcase, the designer also had one of the most notable front rows of the whole week. Alongside the man behind the soundtrack Ty Dolla $ign, the starry FROW included a myriad of music icons such as Mariah The Scientist, Latto, Busta Rhymes, Lil’ Kim, Ice Spice, and Ice T.
Bktherula Walks Head of State
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In a true full circle moment, Bktherula walked the Head of State runway show this season. The rapper has been a longtime supporter of the Taofeek Abijako-founded label, often sat front row at the shows. For her to walk the runway repping the Spring 2026 collection felt right.
Linking with Ferg at Luar
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Another starry show was Raul Lopez‘s “La Fantasia” Luar show. Ferg, a close friend of Lopez and longtime fan of the brand, was sitting in the front row and found us backstage to show us his and the gang’s matching fits.
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