On Friday, September 12, 2025, the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center shimmered with the energy and glamour of New York Fashion Week as the Daily Front Row hosted its twelfth annual Fashion Media Awards. The event, a staple in the American fashion calendar, drew a constellation of designers, models, celebrities, and industry leaders, all gathered to celebrate the visionaries shaping the ever-evolving world of style. But this year, one honoree in particular stole the spotlight: Machine Gun Kelly, the genre-blurring musician and style provocateur, who was named Style Icon in front of an audience that included fashion’s brightest stars.
The ceremony, known for its exclusivity and star-studded guest list, was helmed by Bronwyn Newport of the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Newport, with her signature blend of wit and tact, set a playful yet reverential tone for the evening. Guests, upon arrival, were greeted with expertly mixed cocktails courtesy of Casamigos, the ultra-premium tequila brand, setting the mood for a night of celebration and camaraderie. The air buzzed with anticipation as attendees mingled, sipped, and prepared to honor the creative forces driving fashion forward.
This year’s honorees read like a who’s who of modern style. Alongside Machine Gun Kelly—whose real name is Colson Baker—stood legendary figures such as Iman, who was recognized as Fashion Legend, and Zac Posen, who took home the Fashion Innovator award. Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, the creative minds behind Oscar de la Renta and Monse, were celebrated as Creatives of the Year. Trey Laird was honored for Campaign of the Year, while Pamela Hanson received a Lifetime Achievement award, a testament to her enduring influence in fashion photography.
Presenters for the evening included a dazzling lineup of icons and rising stars: Law Roach, Christy Turlington, Brooks Nader, Anok Aoki, Amelia Gray, Dee Hilfiger, and comedian Pete Davidson. Their presence underscored the event’s reputation as a nexus for established legends and the next generation of tastemakers. Notable guests such as Tiffany Hadish, Devon Windsor, Nicky Hilton, Leah Kateb, Emira D’Spain, Georgia Hasserati, Larsen Thompson, Fernanda Jiménez, Crystal Waters, Kelsie Watts, Tezza Barton, Flaviana Matata, and Katya Tolstova added to the evening’s electric mix, enjoying beauty treatments and sampling products from industry favorites like Redken, JECT, Lavazza, and AF Drinks. The espresso martinis from Lavazza and a selection of canned mocktails from AF Drinks proved especially popular, offering a refreshing twist to the night’s festivities.
But it was Machine Gun Kelly’s acceptance of the Style Icon award that truly captured the spirit of the evening. Known for his boundary-pushing looks—often a blend of punk, glam, and streetwear—Kelly has become a fixture on best-dressed lists and a muse for designers. In his acceptance speech, he addressed both his unconventional approach and the skepticism he sometimes faces within the fashion community. “My style can be unconventional to some; my name is unfamiliar – but umm I am really unapologetic with my authenticity with what I sing and what I wear,” he declared, earning applause from an audience that thrives on individuality and bold self-expression. His words resonated not just with the assembled elite, but with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider in the world of high fashion.
The night was more than just an awards show—it was a tribute to creativity and the courage to defy expectations. The Daily Front Row’s ceremony has long been dedicated to recognizing those who “instrumentally shape the industry with their revolutionary accolades across fashion and media,” as the publication put it. This year’s honorees, presenters, and attendees all embodied that ethos, reminding everyone present that fashion is as much about breaking the mold as it is about setting trends.
Yet Machine Gun Kelly’s whirlwind week didn’t end on the red carpet. Just days after being feted in Manhattan, the musician-turned-style icon was spotted in an entirely different setting: the hallowed halls of Harvard University. According to TMZ, Kelly visited Harvard Business School during the week of September 15, 2025, where he delivered a guest lecture to a lucky class of students. Photos posted to his Instagram account captured him in a striking ensemble—gray trousers, a plaid dress shirt, brown leather jacket, and a maroon-and-gold tie emblazoned with the Harvard crest. He topped off the look with a bedazzled silver necklace and a baseball cap referencing his latest album, ‘Lost Americana’—a sartorial nod to his ever-changing persona.
Though it remains unclear exactly what subject he addressed, speculation abounded that his talk focused on the business of the music industry—a topic Kelly knows intimately, having navigated his own journey from rap upstart to pop-punk star and now, style icon. His lecture wasn’t all business, though. At one point, as he scribbled on the chalkboard, his chalk snapped in two, prompting laughter from the students. The moment, captured in photos, showed that even in the Ivy League, Kelly’s irreverent spirit remains undimmed. As TMZ quipped, “Can’t take the rocker outta the man!”
Kelly himself seemed to relish the role, joking on Instagram that “harvard has a new professor.” The post quickly garnered attention, with fans and students alike expressing excitement at his unexpected foray into academia. And while there’s no word yet on whether he’ll make future stops on the college lecture circuit, the Harvard visit added yet another layer to his multifaceted public persona. From the Rainbow Room to the classrooms of Cambridge, Machine Gun Kelly’s week was a testament to the power of reinvention—and to the ways in which style, creativity, and business now intersect in the lives of modern celebrities.
For the Daily Front Row, the 2025 Fashion Media Awards served as a reminder of the industry’s ongoing evolution. As the lines between music, fashion, and media continue to blur, figures like Machine Gun Kelly are at the forefront, challenging conventions and inspiring the next generation to do the same. Whether on stage, behind the lectern, or in front of the camera, Kelly’s unapologetic authenticity and willingness to push boundaries have earned him a place among fashion’s most influential voices. And judging by the standing ovation he received at Rockefeller Center—and the laughter he sparked at Harvard—he’s just getting started.
The intersection of artistry and individuality was on full display this week, as New York’s fashion elite and Harvard’s business minds alike found common ground in celebrating those who dare to be different. In a world that often prizes conformity, Machine Gun Kelly’s journey is a vivid reminder that true style is about more than what you wear—it’s about who you are, and the courage to show it to the world.