Harper’s Bazaar’s annual Icons party, held the Friday night in September of NYFW, has held reign as the hottest party of the week since its inception in 2014. Models and a good dose of A-listers have crowded the Plaza hotel for a late night of dancing, schmoozing and a headlining performance, making it an invite coveted by just about every junior editor and fashion week-attending celeb in town.
But the steam seems to have run out, as evidenced by this year’s party, which featured a performance by Alicia Keys. As the week ramped up and talk of weekend plans were discussed, it was hard pressed to find an editor or partygoer who was buzzing about the party. Nowhere to be seen were the Hadids or the Kardashian-Jenners, usual mainstays of the event. And while the occasional big-name celeb was spotted — we always do love Janelle Monáe and Shailene Woodley — the crowd skewed more model-y and up-and-comer than in past years.
Recent years have had performances by The Weeknd, who brought then-girlfriend Selena Gomez along; Kanye West, who went on an onstage rant in 2016, and Katy Perry, who serenaded audience member Mariah Carey during her set. Last year’s performance, with Christina
But the steam seems to have run out, as evidenced by this year’s party, which featured a performance by Alicia Keys. As the week ramped up and talk of weekend plans were discussed, it was hard pressed to find an editor or partygoer who was buzzing about the party. Nowhere to be seen were the Hadids or the Kardashian-Jenners, usual mainstays of the event. And while the occasional big-name celeb was spotted — we always do love Janelle Monáe and Shailene Woodley — the crowd skewed more model-y and up-and-comer than in past years.
Recent years have had performances by The Weeknd, who brought then-girlfriend Selena Gomez along; Kanye West, who went on an onstage rant in 2016, and Katy Perry, who serenaded audience member Mariah Carey during her set. Last year’s performance, with Christina