The new front row: Get to know 6 regulars bringing excitement back to fashion week

Date February 18, 2016

Emily Ratajkowski — Photography by Jenny Anderson/WireImage

Just when you think you’ve got Fashion Week figured out, a bunch of newbies roll in to make us feel elderly. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

But such is the truth of Fashion Week. Every year, newer and younger blood descend upon the front row, leaving us to wonder who they are, why they’re there, who invited them, and whether or not they’d think we’re cool. (Spoiler alert: probably not, but maybe that’s just because I’m typing this wearing Christmas tree PJ pants I stole from my friend in 2009.)

So consider this your crash course; a short guide to the Front Row™ of Fall 2016. Now when they ask you to be their friends, you can know exactly who they are.

Photography by Jacopo Raule/Getty Images

So to start, “CL” is the stage name of 24-year-old Korean pop singer Chaelin Lee or Lee Chae-rin, the self-styled “baddest bitch” who’s become one of the biggest K-pop stars thanks to the likes of Diplo. Late last year, her single “Hello Bitches” went viral—which is especially exciting for her since it’s the second single of her relatively new solo career in the wake of her time with K-pop group, 2NEI (the band behind the earworm, “I Am The Best”). Grimes is a fan, Scooter Braun (of Bieber) is behind her debut album, and you probably saw her on the cover of Paper with best pal, Jeremy Scott. So far this season, she’s hit Jeremy Scott and Alexander Wang.

Bella Hadid

Okay so yes, this is Gigi Hadid’s 19-year-old sister. But let’s make peace with that and move on: a model in her own right, Bella has appeared in campaigns for Victoria’s Secret Pink and Topshop, leading the brand’s #squad for the 2016 denim in addition to walking Rihanna’s first show for Puma this weekend. And also, yes, The Weeknd is dating her, which is why they appeared on the red carpet together during Sunday’s Grammys broadcast. So obviously the next time she comes to Canada let’s all hang out.

Emily Ratajkowski

While you may recognize her as Nick’s girlfriend in Gone Girl (or Robin Thicke’s counterpart in the “Blurred Lines” video), Emily Ratajkowski has been religiously hustling since her onscreen debut. After appearing alongside Zac Efron in the summer’s infamous DJ drama, We Are Your Friends, she recently penned a piece for Lenny Letter about being pressured to hide her sexuality (which was really good). She walked in Fall 2016 shows by Proenza Schouler and Altuzarra and sat front row at Boss (pictured here). And filmed a 73 Questions with Vogue, which is obviously an honour. Girlfriend is coming up — and her Instagram game is on point, too.

Ashley Madekwe

Remember Revenge? Of course you do—it was an ABC sensation and it also starred 32-year-old English actress Ashley Madekwe, who now appears in Salem (the show, not the place) and front rows like Prabal Gurung and Monique Lhuillier. Last year, she modelled People’s first-ever capsule collection with Gilt, which especially makes sense when you take a look at her site, Ring My Bell, a self-described style blog by “a London girl living in LA with more shoes than sense.” (Though obviously not: anyone who can brand themselves this well has more sense than all of us.)

Taraji P. Henson

I don’t know how to help you if you don’t know who Taraji P. Henson is at this point, but just to save you from making this error again, here’s everything you need to know: Taraji P. Henson is a Golden Globe-winning actress who appears as Cookie in Empire, a very addictive hip-hop soap opera. She also recently signed on for a movie alongside Octavia Spencer, where they’ll play math geniuses. (So while I will not be sitting front row during Fashion Week, I will be sitting front row at every screening of that masterpiece.) Taraji’s been in the game for a while, but has become an official fashion icon since playing Cookie. Hence her special bond with designers like Alexander Wang, whose show she frequently attends. Now never ask me who Taraji P. Henson is again, and yes you can borrow my Empire box set.

Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images — Photography by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Kylie Jenner

Well, we had to. Last year, Kylie Jenner’s Lip Kit sold out in a matter of minutes, and since then she’s consistently earned headline time thanks to her recent Puma collaboration and romantic relationship with Tyga. (Ugh.) She is the younger sister of Fashion Week darling Kendall Jenner, Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, and the Kardashian crew, and has used this season to solidify her place in front rows like VFiles, Alexander Wang and Boss.