Signet Fashion Acquires New York Fashion Week Trademarks and IP from WME

WME has completed the sale of the intellectual property, trademarks, logos, and associated digital assets for New York Fashion Week (NYFW) and NYFW: The Shows to Signet Fashion, a media and entertainment company focused on developing, acquiring, and monetizing intellectual property across film, television, live experiences, gaming, and digital media.

Signet Fashion has announced plans to build upon NYFW’s global legacy by expanding live programming, digital content, media production, brand partnerships, and year-round audience engagement. Further details regarding these initiatives will be disclosed at a later date.

This transaction marks a strategic shift for WME Fashion, which has been gradually moving away from organizing fashion shows to concentrate on its representation business, including IMG Models, The Wall Group, and Art + Commerce. WME continues to represent many leading models and creative talent across the fashion industry, such as stylists, makeup artists, photographers, and creative directors. Notably, WME acquired IMG, a major sports and fashion entity, for $2.4 billion in May 2014.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) remains the owner and organizer of The Fashion Calendar and the Official New York Fashion Week Schedule, maintaining responsibility for scheduling and governance of NYFW. Steven Kolb, CFDA’s president and CEO, emphasized that the Official NYFW Schedule is the authoritative calendar and welcomed Signet’s investment, expressing optimism that it will create new opportunities for designers and contribute to NYFW’s ongoing success.

Sources reveal that WME had put the NYFW intellectual property and trademarks up for sale approximately two years ago. Several parties expressed interest but were bound by nondisclosure agreements, preventing public discussion of the assets or sale price. One source highlighted that the social media channels and website associated with NYFW represent significant value.

In a related development, N4XT Experiences launched NYFW Collections in September 2025, following its initial season producing The Venue Collective in partnership with KFN. After parting ways with Kilburn Media partner Mark Manuel, N4XT secured a slate of fully contracted venues across New York City to strengthen NYFW’s presence.

Imad Izemrane, founder and CEO of N4XT Experiences, commented on Signet’s acquisition, stating, “The more people who come into our world and into our industry with the right intentions and the more infrastructure and the more support we can give the designer community the better.” He added that the change in trademark ownership should not impact NYFW Collections, noting that “New York Fashion Week” is descriptive rather than a distinct trademark, and therefore not fully ownable.

Izemrane emphasized that the core of the New York Fashion Week business lies in fostering strong relationships with designers and creating infrastructure to support the fashion industry and designer community. He outlined plans for a robust September lineup featuring 18 to 20 designers, including Diane von Furstenberg, Altuzarra, Prabal Gurung, Henry Zankov, Forme, Aknvas, Sergio Hudson, and Kim Shui.

NYFW Collections offers no-fee venues and financial support to designers, accommodating diverse creative needs by providing unique spaces across locations from 42nd Street to the Financial District. Izemrane finances these shows through sponsorships and partnerships, highlighting a significant collaboration with SAP, which includes experiential activations showcasing technology that powers the fashion retail industry. Another major partner announcement is forthcoming.

Industry sources indicate that Signet’s investors overlap with those of Kilburn Media, suggesting potential renewed interest from Kilburn in the fashion sector. Attempts to reach Mark Manuel of Kilburn for comment were unsuccessful.

Susan Scafidi, founder and director of the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham Law School, confirmed that companies can own trademarks for “New York Fashion Week” and “NYFW.” She recalled a decade-old legal dispute wherein an entrepreneur trademarked these terms and sued IMG and CFDA for infringement. The litigation, which lasted five years and concluded with a settlement in 2020, underscored the complexities of trademark rights in this context. Scafidi speculated that WME/IMG likely paid to acquire the trademarks, which were then assigned to IMG.

This acquisition by Signet Fashion represents a notable development in the ownership and commercialization of one of the fashion industry’s most iconic brands, with potential implications for future programming, partnerships, and designer support within New York Fashion Week’s evolving landscape.