Star-studded front rows on runways from Paris to Milan and how getting a seat determines whether you’re a star
A-LISTERS, supermodels and the fashion elite took center stage once again as the “Power F-Row” returned to fashion shows around the world.
Actor Austin Butler and models Hailey Bieber and Kate Moss took top spots at the Saint Laurent show at Paris Fashion Week.
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And at the Fendi event in Milan, Kate, Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista stood front row alongside Naomi Watts and Demi Moore.
They shone in next season’s outfits and attracted as much attention as the eye-catchers on the catwalk.
We look at the hottest F-series and rate each based on its star performance.
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BLACK AND RIGHT. . . Models Eva Apio and Jourdan Dunn and Love Island presenter Maya Jama look classy in black at the David Koma AW23 show during London Fashion Week.
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A LOVE IN. . . Singers Courtney Love and Rita Ora have no reason to be sad at Fendi’s couture show in Paris.
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LOOKS ROSIE. . . The Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey meets Kylie Jenner and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley at the Dolce & Gabbana fashion show during Milan Fashion Week.
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EVERYONE was confused. . . Elvis actor Austin Butler sits with model Hailey Bieber, F-Row icon Kate Moss and K-pop star Rose in Paris at the Saint Laurent Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show.
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I-spy. . . James Bond star Ben Whishaw joins British actresses Sophie Okonedo, Hayley Atwell and Yasmin Finney at the JW Anderson show during London Fashion Week.
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DIOR DARLINGS . . . Actresses Elizabeth Debicki, Rachel Zegler, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jenna Ortega, singer Rosalia and Jennifer Lawrence have the best seats in the house for the Christian Dior Ready To Wear Spring 2024 event in Paris.
“Getting a seat is brutal”
By Tracey Lea Sayer, Fashion Director
It was a joy to see the return of the “Power F range” during this month’s fashion shows.
A-list celebrities, supermodels and the fashion elite are once again present at the international collections.
The reach of social media is obvious.
Celebrities are the ultimate influencers and so it’s no secret that putting them at the front row of your show has a huge impact on collection sales.
It matters who sits in your front row.
A-list celebrities bring status and huge audiences with their social media followers.
Putting together the guest list for a designer show is like a military operation.
First, all celebrities have to get along.
The seats are about 15 inches wide, so it’s a very intimate affair.
It’s never fun squeezing your butt into a small space the size of a press release.
Forget any personal space.
If you ever make it to the F series, you might find yourself almost sitting on Anna Wintour’s knee – she probably won’t be thrilled.
Seeing the celebrities being put into a pecking order and led to their seats always gives away their current status.
It screams whether you’re hot or not.
Even tennis ace Emma Raducanu sat in the second row at Dior – and she won the US Open.
The whole process can be brutal and you’ll often hear “Do you know who I am?” being shouted at during a PR.
Usually from a B-lister that everyone has a hard time recognizing.
Secondly, the celebrity must be a real fan.
We can all overlook the influencers who promote everything.
Authenticity is a must.
And thirdly, you need an army, as they say.
The biennial fashion circus is a multi-billion dollar industry.
Read more on the Irish Sun
Every celebrity and supermodel you see in the front row has earned their spot, and the brand that invites them knows the selling power they have.
Even if it’s just for a customer like me who can only afford one bottle of his designer perfume.