The Power of the Front Row: Why Celebs Still Matter at Fashion Week

When Zendaya walked into the Louis Vuitton show in a tiger-print jumpsuit and matching stilettos, she didn’t just attend—she arrived. The internet didn’t care about the first model out. It cared about her. Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, all buzzing before the show even started. That’s the front row effect. And it’s not going anywhere.

Fashion Week used to be for editors and buyers. Quiet power, not flashy names. But then came the celebrities. Now it’s all eyes on the VIPs before the runway even lights up. Every seat is a statement. Who sits where says everything about what the brand wants you to believe.

So why do celebrities still matter in an age of influencers, stylists, and viral moments? Because they deliver all three in one.

Take BTS at the Celine show. The fan frenzy was next-level. People weren’t talking about the clothes. They were talking about them. That’s global attention no ad campaign can buy. A few perfectly staged photos, and suddenly a luxury French house is trending with Gen Z across Asia.

Or look at Zendaya again. She doesn’t just wear a look. She becomes it. Every front row appearance is styled to perfection, thanks to Law Roach. And guess what. It always gets coverage. Fashion editors write about it. Fans repost it. Brands dream of it. That’s not just influence. That’s strategy.

Even influencers like Emma Chamberlain are blurring the lines now. She started on YouTube. Now she’s sitting next to Anna Wintour and sipping espresso with the CEO of Cartier. Celebrities are shifting, sure. But they’re still the biggest bet for buzz.

And it’s not random. PR teams plan these seats months in advance. It’s about brand image. Who fits the vibe. Who will be photographed. Who will actually show up. That one seat can build hype, shape perception, and set the tone for an entire collection.

In the end, Fashion Week is still about fantasy. And no one sells fantasy like a celebrity in a front row seat, surrounded by flashes, wearing a look you’ll never afford but still want to screenshot.

Because before the runway even starts, the real show has already begun.