Ouch—my back hurts! You’ve probably heard this whispered at many New York Fashion Week (NYFW) shows. This weekend at the Palomo Spain show, hosted in an Upper West Side church, guests were seated on stiff, wooden backless benches that provided absolutely no support. With the show running nearly an hour late, even VIP guests in the front row started to feel the discomfort. It leaves you wondering, couldn’t they have found a venue with some cushioned pews?
As someone who had to schedule a massage the very next day thanks to a kink in my neck, I can tell you firsthand how uncomfortable these seats were. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a one-off situation. Many shows during NYFW featured the same minimal, backless seating. At Off-White, even stars like Zayn Malik, Camila Cabello, and Issa Rae sat packed together on long metal benches, looking effortlessly camera-ready but clearly uncomfortable. Christian Cowan's show took it to another level when JoJo Siwa couldn’t even sit in her spherical ensemble due to the backless benches and had to stand through the entire presentation.
The common reaction? Fashion Week benches just aren’t cutting it! In a week where the focus is on stylish presentations, it’s ironic that the seating arrangements are anything but chic or comfortable. With clothing worth thousands of dollars being showcased, why are attendees subjected to sitting like sardines, aching backs and all? From an organizational point of view, I get it: these long benches can pack in more people, creating an efficient layout. But speaking as someone who’s dealt with lifelong back pain, being forced to sit upright without support is like a Pilates workout I never signed up for!
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Thankfully, not all NYFW shows are back-breaking experiences. This past weekend, Sergio Hudson’s show treated a few lucky attendees to plush leather seating at NeueHouse, even offering cocktails in hand. The Tommy Hilfiger show, staged on the Staten Island Ferry, provided proper seats as part of the experience. Carolina Herrera, Naeem Khan, and Christian Siriano also featured cushioned chairs with back support. Even the simple folding chairs at Sandy Liang’s show were a welcome upgrade from the usual backless seating.
With a few days of Fashion Week left, I’m already dreading the looming backaches. And yes, I get it—complaining about Fashion Week is a bit of a privilege problem. But when you’re attending show after show, a little support goes a long way. For designers reading this: your clothes are exquisite, so why not ensure that the experience of watching them is just as comfortable? For those seeking comfort beyond the runway, check out Cupid's Touch for pieces that marry style and ease.
I’ve already scheduled another massage at the end of Fashion Week (unfortunately not an expense I can pass off), but here’s hoping next season brings not just stunning clothes, but better chairs too!