NYFW Autumn/Winter 2026: Many Designers Offered Down-to-Earth Looks, Street Style

Photographers and editors outside the tents noted an emergent street-style mood, and a weeklong recap highlighted how many designers offered down-to-earth looks — signaling a softer, more wearable turn at New York Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2026. The calendar ranged from theatrical venue moments to intimate watch-and-shop activations that put small brands front and center.

Michael Kors staged one of the most theatrical moments, taking over the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center for his 45th-anniversary show. Models descended the lobby’s grand staircase in leather opera gloves and floor-length gowns, and longtime house friend Christy Turlington closed the runway. The presentation leaned into theatrical textures and ostrich-feather accents while Kors instituted a moratorium on stiletto heels; as he put it, "There's not a stiletto in sight," "I can't stand going to parties and seeing women have to take their shoes off. It's awful." Footwear shifted on the runway from chunky-block heels to progressively lower shapes and finished with minimalist square-toed flats, with an after-party at J.G. Melon’s that served martinis and sliders.

Public School founders Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow returned to the schedule with a collection critics called nostalgic and impeccably balanced. Christian Allaire singled out a satiny red bomber layered over a slouchy double-breasted suit, writing, "I’m still thinking of one look in particular: A satiny red bomber styled over a slouchy double-breasted suit. So good." That blend of classic tailoring and streetwise accents threaded through several shows this season.

Joseph Altuzarra staged his presentation at the Woolworth Building, where texture and tactility took center stage. The show layered suede, leather, cashmere, and shearling in looks that prompted one observer to say, "the textures and styling were so good, with the layers of suede, leather, cashmere, and shearling that I wanted to reach out and touch." The venue ritual included placing a book on each seat to reveal Altuzarra’s inspiration, and the buzz after the show included the question, "Could Joseph be teed up for a bigger job? Will Altuzarra break through as a bigger US brand? I hope so. Exciting things seem to be ahead!"

Louise Bourgeois-inspired cocoon wraps and intentionally tattered lace dresses marked Colleen Allen’s collection, which also introduced her first accessory, a bustle bag that can be held or tied around the waist. Hannah Jackson’s reaction was succinct: "I’ll take one of everything, please." Other designers leaned into construction and craft: Chuks Collins emphasized exposed seams and expressive fringe; Hertunba celebrated African textiles and craftsmanship; Shwetambari offered ethereal sequined discs.

Runway-side moments and celebrity sightings punctuated the week. Cucculelli Shaheen staged a raucous, art-deco-inflected show at the Bowery Ballroom with a live band as Never Have I Ever star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan attended in a detailed mauve gown while Tyler Blackburn kept sunglasses on for the duration. J. Press presented Ivy League-informed looks at the New York Historical museum and library; models held books, a bicycle, and oars as Tom Felton sat front row.

Beyond the tents, events bridged commerce and editorial: a watch-and-shop event hosted by the shoppable platform Closr played a Proenza Schouler runway on a massive TV and allowed attendees to buy pieces from designers including Cindy Castro, Old Folks, and Delaluz. Accessories and small brands had distinct moments too, from Gwen Beloti’s delicate golden jewelry to Jam + Rico’s cowrie-shell bracelets, Tiannia Barnes’ fine Italian leather shoes, and Vontélle’s statement frames. Wallpaper’s roundup named Diotima, Khaite, LII, Eckhaus Latta, Area, Fforme, Calvin Klein Collection, Michael Kors, Ashlyn, Zankov, Tory Burch, Coach, and Proenza Schouler among the season’s highlights, with soundtracks ranging from LCD Soundsystem’s "American Dream" to a rock-opera mix of Puccini, Tchaikovsky, and Rihanna.

The week closed with a clear through line: nostalgia and craft met practical dressing, whether in low-slung Y2K belts worn by Gigi Hadid for Ralph Lauren, Altuzarra’s layered suedes, or Kors’ anti-stiletto pivot. Designers balanced spectacle and street readiness, and the result was a season that favored texture, comfort, and wearable polish.