These Designers’ Collections Redefine The Current Trends In Fashion 

‎The New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 26 was a pure delight, a masterclass on finding the perfect balance between flow and texture, and casual and chic. The week-long fashion event was filled with guest appearances from rapper Cardi B, and her daughter Kulture, K-pop sensation, Jungkook, award-winning African singer, Tyla, pop acts like Lizzo, Gracie Abrams, and Ice Spice, actor Whoopi Goldberg and many more. Undoubtedly, New York is a place where culture and trends meet to call home and the designers tried to keep their collections fresh while facing the challenges brought on by tariffs and ICE raids; these difficulties put a brunt on the cost of materials and the revered acknowledgement of the international market.

‎Brands like Rùadh, Kallmeyer, and Amir Taghi made their exciting debut on the runway while old-timers like Calvin Klein, Off-White and Coach returned for a bold take on New York City’s grit. For the entire week, some designers had several things in common; maximalist accessories, chic cuts and neutral colours. This doesn’t come as a surprise as the recent trends veered towards minimalism and elegance, the beauty of the old money style. This Old Hollywood glamour can be seen in Christian Siriano’s collection where he played with big shapes and took a theatrical turn with colours. There’s nothing minimalist about Christian’s collection, it’s whimsical and fun, definitely would get a lot of wear on the red carpet and in editorial shoots.

Area was a lot more experimental alongside brands like Proenza Schouler and Eckhaus Latta. With definitive bowl cuts, slim-fitted capris, jean dresses, skirts with bows blowing out the proportions and more sculptural pieces, the creative designer at Area, Nicholas Aburn brings in the party attitude the brand was built on. 

Ralph Lauren, Khaite and Calvin Klein featured chic, effortless style straight from a summer edition of a lifestyle magazine. Michael Kors seemed like the collection of an elite yogi; earthy tones and maximalist pendants. The collection featured a minimalist style but it achieved maximalism through interesting cuts, sheer overlays, and funky accessories. 

Fforme and Alexander Wang dialled the phone on textures which gave the pieces a life of its own. The latter played with fringes and tassels to create textures, while the former introduced giant furry neckpieces. 

In a pastel basketball court, a set in an old high-rise building, Off-White showed pieces that contrasted the everyday sporty and casual look with the alt style of your everyday gen-Z neighbour. Another brand that had gen-Z’s flair of style was Coach. British designer, Stuart Vevers appealed to the generation with his collection of genderless pieces and some upcycled ones as well. And Tory Burch breathed a fresh look on tailored elegance with her low-rise skirts and bold colours. 

A lot of the creative designers behind these collections took into account how diverse and fashion-forward New York is. This helped flesh out a story that is not only groundbreaking but it runs on the pulse of the city itself.