FW26 arrived draped in warmth, earthy romance, and quiet luxury.
New York Fashion Week’s FW26 season arrived with a strong sense of direction. The highly anticipated week kicked off on February 11 and unfolded over six dynamic days of anticipation, spectacle, and reinvention. Fresh off the heels of Haute Couture week, FW26 marked a decisive shift.
Precise tailoring to delicate lace, early-2000s references to moody romanticism, NYFW FW26 was a study in contrasts. Designers balanced structure and fluidity, showcasing the FW vibe through their collections. After immersing ourselves in every show, these are the standout collections and defining looks that shaped the season.
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Proenza Schouler
Rachel Scott presented her first full collection for Proenza Schouler at FW26, redefining the brand after its founders moved over to Loewe. A major milestone as she is the first black female creative director for the brand.
Blending the label’s signature tailoring with her own love of texture and imperfection, she introduced relaxed, twisted & asymmetrical cuts, muted tones with bold accents, and slightly undone styling to portray a polished yet unpredictable New York woman.
The return of archival accessories signalled both continuity and a fresh start for the brand during a pivotal turnaround moment.
Ralph Lauren
For Fall/Winter 2026 womenswear, the house delivered a striking display of luxury for the modern professional and sophisticated woman. The line leaned into a rich, earthy palette — different shades of brown like sienna and deep umber as well. There were plush textures like tweed and velvet, alongside a balance of masculine craftsmanship and fluid, romantic gowns.
The collection also leaned into the animal print trend we had noticed earlier in the year, with standout pieces like scarves, jackets and coats featuring leopard print. These pieces also included corset blazers, full sweeping skirts, metallic accents, and refined eveningwear, each conveying a sense of mature confidence and elegance.
7 For All Mankind
Nicola Brognano made his runway debut for 7 For All Mankind at NYFW, presenting the brand’s FW26 RTW collection — its first-ever official runway show and a key moment in its new creative direction.
The collection leaned heavily into 2000s “rich it-girl” energy. From the silhouettes to the styling, it felt like a full Y2K revival. Skinny jeans, leggings and tights paired with heels were a recurring highlight, anchoring many of the standout looks. The accessories also really played their part, from the jewellery to the scarves.
In keeping with the Fall/Winter mood, there was no shortage of outerwear — polished jackets, fur coats, and gloves added drama and texture. Oversized bags in leather and croc skin were prominent throughout the show. This reinforced the collection’s graceful, off-duty attitude.
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Anna Sui
Anna Sui’s FW26 collection, titled “New Romantic,” was a bold, expressive tribute to subculture and storytelling.
The collection drew from two main inspirations. First was London’s iconic Blitz nightclub, and Umaid Bhawan Palace, with Sui referencing the rich colours of its walls and murals as a key influence on the collection’s palette.
The show featured a mix of punk style and dandy-inspired details. Featuring rich textures and bold patterns, including plush velvets, intricate beading, and plenty of leopard print, making a strong statement throughout. It was theatrical, layered, and highly maximalist, staying true to Anna Sui’s signature aesthetic.
LaQuan Smith
LaQuan Smith’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection delivered mature, femme fatale energy with a confident edge. The mood was bold and sultry, but still controlled.
The runway featured plenty of pieces — sharp coats, fitted jackets, and strong outerwear that framed the body. Fabrics ranged from velvet and silk satin to delicate Chantilly lace, with several sheer, head-turning looks woven throughout the collection.
Leather played a major role, with occasional crocodile leather textures that added depth. The colour palette stayed sleek and refined, dominated by black, brown, white, and cream, with flashes of pink, yellow, green, and blue breaking through at key moments.
Altuzarra
The Altuzarra FW26 collection drew inspiration from Spanish culture and showcased a variety of textures and forms. Notably, Flamenco skirts, some in light chiffons and georgette, often paired with sturdy peacoats or leather outerwear. Others featured a kind of horsehair braid at the hem of the skirt, used to give it more structure and volume.
Sleek leather and suede carpenter pants were the highlight of the looks, with the designer admitting that he would make a pair for all the models as they had requested due to how comfortable they were. Chantilly lace details were also included, and delicate ruffles, adding a soft, feminine touch.
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Sergio Hudson
Known for his signature power dressing, Hudson delivered a lineup of corporate-chic staples, including sharply tailored suits, skirt suits, and sleek suit dresses. The frames were clean and commanding, reinforcing his reputation for precision tailoring.
The collection also featured striking red carpet gowns that stayed true to the power-dressing theme. The pieces remained strong and self-assured, blending glamour with authority. The collection utilised rich, vibrant hues and a sophisticated colour story characteristic of the brand.
Prabal Gurung
Prabal Gurung’s Fall/Winter 2026 show was filled with chic, romantic pieces. The collection leaned into pastel tones, creating a light and elegant mood throughout the runway.
There was a rich mix of fabrics — brocade, silk, fur, feathers, and touches of lace — adding texture and dimension to the looks. Trousers also played a major role this season, many cut with a relaxed, fluid movement that gave them an effortless sway on the runway.
Alongside them were voluminous gowns and dresses, often floor-length, with dramatic silhouettes that brought a sense of occasion to the show.
Christian Cowan
Titled “Before the Door Opens,” the show beautifully captured the intimate ritual of getting ready for a night out — and that narrative was clearly reflected in the styling on the runway.
Models appeared slightly undone deliberately: necklaces draped to the side, sleeves slipping off the shoulder, and garments styled as though caught mid-preparation. It felt personal, almost like stepping into someone’s room just before they head out.
The aesthetic leaned into a kind of emo-punk femininity, with plenty of black lace details. One standout detail was that every look featured pop socks, adding a youthful, rebellious touch to the collection.
Ulla Johnson
This collection from Ulla Johnson embraced vibrant colour while exploring a balance between strength and softness. Delicate silks and flowing dresses were paired with heavy outerwear, creating contrast within each look. The collection also featured soft sweater knits, adding warmth and texture to the lineup.
The colour palette mixed earthy browns and greens with rich oxblood, soft blue, and striking fuchsia, among other tones. Bold floral motifs appeared throughout the collection, alongside additional graphic patterns that added depth and personality to the pieces.
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PatBO
PatBO by Patricia Bonaldi presented a collection titled “Brazilian Bohemian,” and it stayed true to that spirit from start to finish. The overall mood was deeply feminine, soft, and expressive.
The colour palette leaned heavily into warm brown tones, beautifully complemented by shades of pink and blue — an unexpectedly pretty combination that still felt perfectly suited for fall.
Fringe details appeared throughout the collection, adding texture and movement to the looks. Flowing fabrics enhanced that sense of motion, allowing each piece to feel light, free, and full of personality on the runway.
Alice + Olivia
Alice + Olivia’s show featured a collection of balanced, sexy, classy, and dreamy elements that felt intentional.
Themed the “Gilded Age”, the mood carried a modern, gothic-romantic undertone. Delicate lace and bold florals sat alongside sharp tailoring with rich figures that felt classic but still timely. Throughout, the collection maintained a signature mix of playful whimsy and a more mature, refined edge, creating looks that had us all swooning.
Aknvas
Designer Christian Juul Nielsen structured the collection around the theme of “The Snow Queen”. The mood was that of a snowballerina blending delicate elegance with sharp, sculptural lines.
The runway featured sculptural frames and wired dresses designed to hold their shape. Peplum corset tops crafted from rich blue and dark grey denim added structure, while floor-length fur outerwear and dramatic circle skirts brought movement and depth. The collection heavily utilised denim and fur, two of the brand’s most successful commercial categories.
Diotima
For her NYFW runway show and second show of the week, Rachel Scott was inspired by the pioneering Cuban artist Wilfredo Lam, blending Afro-Cuban symbolism with European modernism.
The collection showcased an evolution of Scott’s signature style, emphasising modern tailoring and sculptural forms. It featured sophisticated applications of her signature Caribbean craftsmanship, including intricate crochet work and handwork.
The season in reflection
FW26 is a season I’ll be remembering for a long time. There were so many standout pieces I wished I could take home with me. What struck me most was how designers played with contrasts — soft fabrics paired with sharp tailoring, dark tones punctuated by unexpected pops of colour. And throughout it all, there was a warmth in many of the collections, perfectly in tune with the season. The collections felt so full of personality, leaving me inspired long after the shows ended.
