WME Group Sells NYFW Trademarks and Intellectual Property to Signet Fashion

WME Group has sold the intellectual property, trademarks, and logos associated with New York Fashion Week, or NYFW, to Signet Fashion. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The deal includes the rights associated with “New York Fashion Week,” “NYFW,” and “NYFW: The Shows,” as well as related digital assets, including the official website and social media accounts.

Summary

Signet Fashion develops and commercializes intellectual property across film, television, live events, gaming, and digital media.

Building on NYFW’s global recognition, the company plans to expand live programming, produce digital content, and develop new brand partnerships. It also aims to engage audiences throughout the year rather than limiting its activities to the biannual fashion week calendar. Further details about its plans will be announced at a later date.

Trademark Ownership and NYFW Operations Remain Separate

Although Signet Fashion has acquired NYFW-related trademarks and digital assets, responsibility for the broader scheduling and governance of New York Fashion Week will not transfer to the company.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, or CFDA, will continue to own and organize The Fashion Calendar and the Official New York Fashion Week Schedule. The organization will also remain responsible for NYFW scheduling and governance.

Steven Kolb, president and chief executive officer of the CFDA, told WWD: “The Official New York Fashion Week Schedule has long been stewarded by the CFDA and remains the authoritative calendar. New York Fashion Week, under the CFDA’s leadership, is at its best when others contribute through events, partnerships and experiences that support designers and strengthen our industry. We welcome Signet’s investment and look forward to seeing how its efforts help create new opportunities for designers and contribute to the continued success of New York Fashion Week.”

The CFDA also addressed the transaction through its official Instagram Stories: “You may have seen the news that WME has sold the New York Fashion Week and NYFW: The Shows trademarks and related assets to Signet. The transaction does not change the CFDA’s role. We continue to organize and steward the Official New York Fashion Week Schedule, the authoritative calendar for American designers. We welcome investment that strengthens New York Fashion Week.”

Monetizing NYFW’s Digital Assets

Signet Fashion plans to use the website and social media accounts included in the acquisition to develop content beyond the fashion week calendar. Live programming, media production, brand partnerships, and year-round audience engagement are expected to become key areas of focus.

For an event with NYFW’s global recognition, its website and social platforms serve as more than channels for sharing runway information. They also provide a valuable connection among designers, sponsors, industry professionals, and audiences worldwide.

The transaction signals a broader shift in NYFW’s commercial potential, extending beyond centralized runway venues to encompass brand intellectual property, digital content, media production, and ongoing audience relationships.

WME Fashion Scales Back Its Fashion Show Operations

In recent years, WME Fashion has gradually scaled back its fashion show operations to focus on talent representation through IMG Models, The Wall Group, and Art + Commerce.

WME acquired IMG, the sports and fashion company, for $2.4 billion in May 2014. IMG’s involvement with New York Fashion Week began in 2001, when it acquired the “7th on Sixth” trademark from the CFDA. It subsequently managed NYFW sponsorships, venue logistics, and runway production.

In 2015, IMG introduced the “NYFW: The Shows” branding and developed it into a central event platform for New York Fashion Week. Beginning in 2024, however, the company moved away from producing a centralized venue and shifted its focus toward brand partnerships and creative collaborations between brands and designers.

WME Fashion did not present any programming during the most recent February edition of NYFW.

The Trademark History Behind “NYFW”

The names “New York Fashion Week” and “NYFW” have previously been the subject of trademark disputes.

At the time of review, a trademark database listed IMG Worldwide LLC as the owner of an “NYFW” trademark covering apparel and related products. Signet Fashion’s acquisition may not yet be reflected in the database’s ownership records.

The registration represents one individual trademark associated with “NYFW” and does not, by itself, establish ownership of all NYFW-related trademarks or the right to govern the event as a whole. Following the transaction, the CFDA will continue to oversee the official schedule and governance of New York Fashion Week.

How Signet Fashion will use the NYFW name, its digital assets, and its global recognition to develop new commercial opportunities remains to be seen. Further details are expected to be announced at a later date.

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