NYFW, Fall/Winter 2026, Need–to-Know Wardrobe Refresh. Top Designers, New Trends. Plus, Exciting Sustainable Fashion Announcement

Glorious mandarin orange outerwear by Kim Shui. Resplendent dressed in embellished denim jeans, Alice + Olivia. Molten gold strapless gown with attached train by Cult Gaia. Delicious cranberry red outerwear, Michael Kors. All images credit: Vogue.com unless noted.

Kim Shui was inspired by her Chinese heritage while designing this exotic collection.

Referencing figure hugging Chinese qipao dresses, by Kim Shui.

Uptrending rich terracotta color pant ensemble, Kim Shui.

Leopard is the number one animal pattern trending in 2026. If you purchase a faux fur, you may want to make it leopard. This ensemble by Norma Kamali, who has been an award winning innovator in the fashion industry for over 50 years.

Norma Kamali. Watch for exaggerated shoulder details in 2026.

Norma Kamali. Three trends shown here. Maxi length, outsized cape-like coat lapels and the favored feline pattern.

Sumptuous peacoat over grand tiered ball skirt featuring an undulating hem by Joseph Altuzarra.

Sophisticated leather trousers and jacket paired with sheer forest green “train.” Altuzarra.

Leather jacket worn over maxi length skirt. Altuzarra.

Extravagant shearling and leather outerwear by Joseph Altuzarra. Spoiler alert: The CFDA has announced that animal fur will no longer be permitted in collections on the official NYFW schedule beginning September 2026.
Watch the stunning Altuzarra Fall/Winter 2026 runway show here.

Silver mini party dress. Alice + Olivia, by Stacey Bender.




Regal embroidered ball gown with train by Alice + Olivia.

Alice + Olivia. Designer Stacey Bender referenced the “Gilded Age” drama series while designing this opulent collection.

Don’t patch the holes in your jeans, pearl them! Alice + Olivia.

Striking entrance making ensemble by Christian Siriano.

Christian Siriano creates luxe eveningwear options for both men and women.


Fishtail fantasy. Christian Siriano.
Watch the entire Christian Siriano Fall/Winter 2026 runway show here.

Thom Browne. The prep school uniform for adults with a tongue-in-cheek twist, exquisitely tailored.


Watch the entire Thom Browne Fall/Winter 2026 runway show here.

Calvin Klein by Creative Director Veronica Leoni.

Statement lapels, Calvin Klein.

Translucent rain slicker in subtle shades of taupe. Calvin Klein.
Watch the entire Calvin Klein Fall/Winter 2026 runway show here.

Strapless trumpet gown in rich amethyst by Cult Gaia.

Sophisticated tweed ensemble featuring mini skirt paired with a maxi length overcoat. Note over-the-knee leather boots. Cult Gaia.

Innovative tile-like maxi skirt paired with black button down blouse. Cult Gaia.

Deep burgundy continues to trend into 2026-27. Cult Gaia.

Moss green gown, Cult Gaia. Please note: this particular shade of green has been shown on many Fall 2026-27 runways. This color complements those with a warm, olive skin tone. On those with very fair complexions, this particular shade of green can be challenging. Here’s a guide to help you determine the best colors to flatter your skin tone.

Lacey crochet-like ivory suit. Cult Gaia, by Jasmin Larian Hekmat. This was the first time this talented designer was featured on the CFDA calendar. Welcome onboard Jasmin!

Men’s outerwear, Cult Gaia.


Understated elegance. Cult Gaia.
Watch the entire Cult Gaia Fall/Winter 2026 runway show here.

Unmistakable Ralph Lauren.

Popular capelet button down sweater paired with full trousers. Ralph Lauren.

Casual chic by Ralph Lauren.

Leopard à la Ralph Lauren.

Feminine floral ensemble, a classic look by Ralph Lauren.
Watch the entire Ralph Lauren Fall/Winter 2026 runway show here.

Fun and funky faux fur by Aknvas, by Danish designer Christian Juul Nielsen. Image credit: WWD.com.

Aknvas. Fun fur mini with coordinated cap. Image credit: WWD.com.

Tiny bustier with micro panniers paired with denim bloomers. Aknvas. Image credit: WWD.com.

Faux fur was all over the NYFW Fall/Winter 2026 runways, with a few designers showing real fur. Aknvas. Image credit: WWD.com.

References of the Victorian Inverness cape coat, popular in the 19th century. Aknvas. Image credit: WWD.com.

Lynx fun fur, (as Karl Lagerfeld liked to refer to faux fur), by Aknvas. Image credit: WWD.com.
Watch the entire Aknvas Fall/Winter 2026 runway show here.

Burgundy ensemble by new Creative Director Rachel Scott for Proenzo Schouler. Note the eye-catching button detail on the trousers.

Peplum jackets were in evidence on a number of runways. This trim pants suit by Proenzo Schouler.

Striking white ensemble by Proenzo Schouler.

Figure hugging knit midi sheath dress in an interesting mahogany color, Proenzo Schouler. Have you noticed the plethora of midi and maxi length dresses and skirts shown during NYFW Fall 2026? This length is extremely flattering on 6 foot tall, willowy models. However, if you are petite, like me, (the fashion industry considers 163 cm, 5’4″ and under petite size), you may want to consider alternatives that will flatter your silhouette and height. Here’s a skirt length guide for petites.

Smart check trench with leather accent. Proenzo Schouler.
Watch the entire Fall/Winter 2026 Proenzo Schouler runway show here.

Pretty in pink by Anna Sui.

Meow! A celebration of leopard by Anna Sui.

And the beat goes on; the new Mod by Anna Sui.

Faux fur, a leopard mini and knee high boots create a funky ensemble by celebrated New York designer Anna Sui.

Hot pink leopard on the streets of New York with sequin bucket hat? Of course, it’s Anna Sui.
Watch the entire Fall/Winter 2026 Anna Sui runway show here.

Chic, contemporary pants suit, Diotima by Rachel Scott.

Sophisticated layers by Diotima by Rachel Scott.

Wrapped in faux fur. Diotima by Rachel Scott.

A creative mélange of texture, pattern and dramatic silhouette. Diotima by Rachel Scott.

Referencing men’s outerwear of the 1800’s Rachel Scott crafts a striking coat with asymmetrical hem paired with coordinated trousers. Diotima by Rachel Scott.

Elegant brocade evening coat by Michael Kors.

Classic camel blazer paired with a gathered skirt by Michael Kors.

The modern tux, Michael Kors.

The high-low silhouette has been seen on a number of NYFW Fall 2026 runways. This grey flannel jacket is especially attractive. Congratulations to Michael Kors in celebration of his 45th anniversary.
Watch the entire Fall/Winter 2026 Michael Kors runway show here.

Entrance making burst of colors. Flamboyant gown by Sergio Hudon.

Cosmopolitan drama. Sergio Hudon.



Polished python, Sergio Hudon.

Tailored chocolate brown leather suit. Sergio Hudon.

Camera shy need not apply. Bold, confident elegance by Sergio Hudon.
Watch the entire Sergio Hudson NYFW Fall/Winter 2026-27 runway show here.

Leather bustier over hoodie by designer Michelle Rhee for 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Layers of streetwise sophistication. 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Three piece set creates so many possibilities. 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Versatile coat over tiger print dress. 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Skirt over two-tone trousers with coordinated jacket, 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Lovely pattern tunic over full trousers. Ulla Johnson.

Delicate peach ensemble. Ulla Johnson.

Charming drop waist knit dress by Ulla Johnson.
Watch the entire NYFW Fall 2026 Ulla Johnson runway show here.

Sexy party girl attire by LaQuan Smith.

Velvet double breasted suit accessorized with a cigar. LaQuan Smith.

Oversized fur trimmed leather jacket and mini ensemble. Please note breathtaking silver thigh high leather boots. LaQuan Smith.

Floral sheath gown resplendent in a garden of posies. By creative designer Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera.

Drop waist strapless dress with full skirt by Carolina Herrera. Perfect for a winter holiday in St. Barts.
Calla lily blouse coordinated with trim pencil skirt. Carolina Herrera.
Watch the entire NYFW Fall 2026-27 Carolina Herrera runway show here.
Rich crushed gold tunic paired with black maxi skirt. Prabal Gurung.
Glowing ruby red wrap blouse shown with lean trousers, Prabal Gurung.
Lush royal blue shearling coat. Prabal Gurung.
Gold and periwinkle luminous gown with gathered hem by Prabal Gurung.
Watch the entire NYFW Fall 2026 Prabal Gurung runway show here.
And now, saving the best for last, your exciting sustainable fashion announcement…
For the first time, a fashion collection created entirely from 100% thrifted garments has been featured on the CFDA calendar during New York Fashion Week. A big deal, you may think. No, it’s more of a momentous occasion! For those of us who have been promoting the importance of recycling for sustainability for many years, the inclusion of designer Evan Hirsch in partnership with “ShopGoodwill.com” to the official CFDA calendar is a huge step toward supporting this global effort and the health of our planet.
Image credit: author.
When I first stepped into the Friedrichs Pontone Gallery, in NYC, where the Evan Hirsch collection was being presented, my first vision was of an exotic Colombina, the saucy Italian theatrical character that originated around 1530 in the Italian commedia dell’arte. She is always portrayed onstage as Harlequin’s love. Evan’s bravura creation, featuring hundreds of hand placed crystals, an upcycled Calvin Klein dress and a moiré bolero jacket suggested a perfect costume for the Venetian Carnivale. A sumptuous Carnivale costume with a distinctly New York twist.

Image credit: author.
The escort to Columbina to the Carnivale? Harlequin of course. A dashing, fashion conscious NYC Harlequin who prides himself on wearing garments that are created entirely of recycled materials. Evan fabricated this glorious suit utilizing hundreds of glistening square beads, suggesting LEGO building blocks.
Image credit: author.
Bedecked in hundreds of individual repurposed jewelry pieces found on the ShopGoodwill.com website, this patient bride waits anxiously for her spouse-to-be. Her gown is crafted from an upcycled French lace bolero and tiered mermaid skirt. Inspired by the vast jewelry inventory and pearl grab bags available on ShopGoodwill.com, Evan spent many hours creating this garment by hand. A labor of love, or a wedding gown created for love. All dramatic make-up by Lacy Von Voorhees. Hair by Tina Imedashvili.
A big New York thank you to George Burt, COO of ShopGoodwill.com as well as Tina Nguyễn, Director of Marketing. We appreciate the work done by your organization since 1902, when the Reverend Edgar J. Helms of Morgan Methodist Chapel in Boston and his congregation collected used and discarded household goods and unwanted clothing, then trained and hired the unemployed or impoverished to mend and repair them. The products were then redistributed to those in need or kept by those who helped repair them. Goodwill Industries was born. 124 years later, this vital organization continues to help people worldwide, as well as invest in the future of our planet.
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