The Whos of Fashion Week

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“Was it just a year ago that Katie Holmes, Jennifer Hudson, and Lucy Liu snatched up most of the light and much of the air at Zac Posen’s fall show?” wrote the New York Times last week. “A scant six months later, Mr. Posen was host to a somewhat less lustrous contingent, one that included Malin Akerman, Kelly Bensimon, and Olivia Culpo. (Who?)”

“Who?” is right. As two people who co-host Who? Weekly, a beloved podcast built around the world of Whos, we understand completely. Seems like even high fashion is receiving somewhat of a celeb drain — the front rows, once filled with Thems… well, they have now been replaced with Whos. Whos being the celebs you’ve never heard of — the reality stars, the YouTube singers and, let’s be real, sooooooo many models. But it’s Fashion Week! Time to cozy up to Whomever you’re seated next to in the front row and introduce yourself. As a bit of a cheat sheet for your future fashion endeavors, here’s a rundown of the Whos at this year’s NYFW.

Who are they? Bella, Gigi, and Anwar Hadid

How would I know them? The offspring of real estate guy Mohamed Hadid and Housewife Yolanda Hadid (formerly Foster, as in musician David Foster), Bella and Gigi are sisters, models, and… popular on Instagram. Anwar is more up-and-coming, but also currently modeling. Bella used to date The Weeknd, while Friend-of-Taylor-Swift, Gigi, currently dates Zayn Malik (previously of One Direction). Anwar is dating fellow Who model and actress Nicola Peltz.

But are they “fashion?” All are working models, so yes.

Photo: Victor Virgile/Getty Images

Who are they? Kaia Gerber

How would I know them? She’s Cindy Crawford and Randy Gerber’s daughter.

But are they “fashion?” If you’re the offspring of Cindy Crawford (and look exactly like her), you’re fashion.

Who are they? Ansel Elgort and Violetta Komyshan

How would I know them? He’s cusping into Themdom, starring in movies like The Fault in Our Stars and Divergent and releasing EDM bangers. She’s his longtime girlfriend, also a ballet dancer.

But are they “fashion?” Sure, they sat front row, but they are not fashion.

Who are they? Luka Sabbat

How would I know them? A teenage fashion influencer beloved by the likes of Tom Ford and the New York Times. The latter writes, “Who is Luka? The question, which also happens to be his Twitter handle (@whoisluka), is unlikely to go unanswered for long. Among his roughly 184,000 Instagram and 64,000 Twitter followers, the 18-year-old New Yorker has already established himself as the coolest teenager on the Internet.” Hate to break it to you guys, but...

But are they “fashion?” Decidedly, yes.

Who are they? Sarah Snyder

How would I know them? Jaden Smith’s girlfriend, who apparently has a noteworthy Instagram. Fun fact: In 2016, she was accused of stealing a Birkin bag and found not guilty. The day she got off free, she posted a selfie with a bright blue Birkin.

But are they “fashion?” Ask Birkin.

Who are they? Stella Maxwell and Elsa Hosk

How would I know them? Two Victoria’s Secret angels. Maxwell is currently dating Kristen Stewart and used to date Miley Cyrus. Hosk dates entrepreneur Tom Daly, who owns eyewear brand District Vision.

But are they “fashion?” Two models? Yes.

Who are they? Madison Beer

How would I know them? A YouTuber who got lucky when Justin Bieber tweeted a link to a video of her singing. Maybe “lucky” is the wrong word: She was soon signed with Bieber’s agent, Scooter Braun, and is working on her debut album.

But are they “fashion?” No.

Who are they? Olivia Culpo

How would I know them? Actress and former Miss USA (2012!) who most famously dated Nick Jonas. She now dates football player Danny Amendola, who walked the Philipp Plein show. She was there to cheer him on.

But are they “fashion?” No, but this Danny Amendola is another story.

Photo: Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

Who are they? Abbey Lee Kershaw

How would I know them? Australian “supermodel” who also acted in Mad Max: Fury Road, Gods of Egypt, and, most recently, Nicolas Winding Refn's The Neon Demon, in which she played an aging model obsessed with a younger protégé (played by Elle Fanning).

But are they “fashion?” Yes.

Who are they? Jeremy Meeks

How would I know them? Remember “hot convict?” Well, he’s out of jail and he’s on the runway.

But are they “fashion?” Never let them tell you that you shouldn’t dream big of turning your meme into a career.

Who are they? Sofia Richie

How would I know them? Singer Lionel Richie’s daughter, sister to Nicole, and socialite in her own right, Sofia hangs with the likes of Kylie Jenner and Hailey Baldwin (Stephen’s daughter, not Alec’s) and at one point was dating Justin Bieber.

But are they “fashion?” She’s done campaigns for Tommy Hilfiger and walked the runway for Philipp Plein. And then there’s this. Let’s go with yes.

Who are they? Ross Mechanic

How would I know them? He’s Tiffany Trump boyfriend, of course. And sat front row at Taoray Wang alongside Trump’s mother, Marla Maples.

But are they “fashion?” Not in this lifetime.