New York Fashion Week will get off to an early start with a Marc Jacobs show on Monday night— 6:30 PM SHARP, as the invitation specifies. Bless Marc, we do too much waiting during the collections. After that, it’s six full days of shows, presentations, and appointments, from headliners like Ralph Lauren, Coach, Tory Burch, and Michael Kors, who’s celebrating his 45th anniversary, and a raft of newcomers (more on them below). Then we pick up sticks and do it all over again in London, Milan, and Paris. What’s on tap for fall 2026? Who are the names to know? Where is everyone eating and drinking after the shows? And what in the world should all of us wear, given the stormy winter weather in the forecast? Read on for details.
Women First
The January haute couture shows had but one woman couturier, Silvana Armani, who replaced her late uncle at Armani Privé, and in fashion’s great reset of 2025, Rachel Scott and Louise Trotter were alone in a cohort of male designers. But you know where there’s no shortage of female talent? On the New York Fashion Week calendar, where a new generation of women designers are remaking American sportswear in their Millennial image. Daniella Kallmeyer, Ashlyn’s Ashlynn Park, Maria McManus, Colleen Allen, Heirlome’s Stephanie Suberville, Attersee’s Isabel Wilkinson Schor—most, if not all, of these names were unknown before the pandemic. Now, they re closet staples. It pays to know your audience.—Nicole Phelps
The New Kids on the Block
From Calvin, Ralph, and Donna through Proenza Schouler, over the decades New York has given fashion some of its most famous independent brands. This season a raft of the up-and-comers will take their shot. Andrew Curwen, Pipenco, Menyelek, Mel Usine, and Contessa Mills are all new to the official schedule. But don’t go looking for the tried-and-true American sportswear this city is known for. From Andrew Curwen’s gothic drama to Mel Usine’s medieval symbolism, there is sure to be plenty of fantasy in store.—Alexandra Hildreth
The Out-of-Towners
On the other hand, some distinctly American brands have defected to Paris. Willy Chavarria, as he’s done the last few seasons, presented his fall 2026 collection during men’s week, bringing his Chicano Americana to the Dojo de Paris. Last season, Chavarria showed a resee for a select group of editors at the newly opened Printemps. This time around, he’ll be partnering with Net-a-Porter for an intimate cocktail to toast his debut with the ecommerce retailer. Thom Browne, who often shows in Paris, took a different approach this season. The designer is headed west to San Francisco for the second installment of the GQ Bowl, where he will debut his fall 2026 collection. While we’ll miss him here, we’ll admit it: there’s nothing more American than the Super Bowl.—Hannah Jackson
Checking in!
The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund class of 2025 has its fingerprints all over the fall 2026 calendar. Meruert Tolegen, Gabe Gordon, Bach Mai, and winner Ashlynn Park of Ashlyn will all stage runway shows, while Heirlome and Don’t Let Disco have opted for presentation formats. Let’s also give a shoutout to class of 2023 CVFF alum and the busiest woman in American fashion Rachel Scott, who will present her first official collection as Proenza Schouler’s creative director and her second Diotima runway show.—HJ
Resort Town
If New York’s fall 2026 calendar is a little quiet, the U.S. can expect a deluge of resort shows come spring. In May, Gucci’s Demna and Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière will both touch down in New York for their resort 2027 runways, while Dior’s Jonathan Anderson will head to Los Angeles. This is the latest wave of European designers looking to gain a bigger foothold in the American market: in December, Chanel’s Matthieu Blazy presented his Métiers d’art show in a decommissioned Manhattan subway, while Moncler took to the slopes of Aspen for its Grenoble show.—HJ
Front Row Fixtures
It’s not New York Fashion Week without loads of A-listers at the shows. Which brings up the question: Who will have the buzziest front row this season? Marc Jacobs, Coach, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren always pack in the VIPs. Last season alone, Ralph Lauren nabbed Jessica Chastain, Oprah, and Usher, while Coach had brand ambassadors Elle Fanning and Charles Melton in attendance. But don’t discount the indie labels, either. Back in September, Ice Spice and Lil’ Kim hit up LaQuan Smith—meaning, your favorite artists are bound to make a cameo wherever the fashion resonates.—Christian Allaire
Places to Be, People to See
Happy 125th, Nordstrom! A staple for American shoppers since 1901, the retailer is readying for its 125th anniversary with a cocktail party co-hosted by Thom Browne and the CFDA. Miu Miu will present the latest iteration of its Women’s Tales short film series, followed by a family-style dinner with its stars at a meatpacking district members’ club. Simultaneously across town, Louis Vuitton will launch its Express bag, for those prepared to dash between both fêtes. Meanwhile, Jil Sander creative director Simone Bellotti will join Guinevere van Seenus for a tête-à-tête in a Tribeca gallery to discuss the brand’s next chapter. Proving that elevated workwear is top of mind once more, Andrea Lieberman’s A.L.C. will transform the Grand Central Station Oyster Bar for an “Art of the Commuter”-themed soirée—at rush hour, naturally. Danielle Frankel will celebrate her forthcoming collaboration with Birkenstock at the Eighty Six steakhouse—the next act from the founder of The Corner Store—while Hangisis and Lurums will be on the menu at Manolo Blahnik’s Community event with model and street style regular Alioune Badara Fall. Wondering whether the Heated Rivalry boys will continue their fashion show streak? Keep your eyes peeled, as Hudson Williams is coming to town to co-host a Lunar New Year moment with designers Prabal Gurung, Kim Shui, and Bach Mai.—Freya Drohan
The Stars of the Season
Which fresh face will have her breakout season? This time around, we have our eyes on two emerging models—Lauren Huyskens and Ana Beatriz Cortes. Huyskens made her runway debut at Prada’s fall 2025 ready-to-wear show. Since then, the 5’10”blue eyed blonde has appeared at The Row, Khaite, Celine, and Vogue World: Hollywood. Beatriz Cortes, for her part, is coming off a hot run at the couture shows last month January that had Models.com dubbing her “model of the week.”—Irene Kim
Home Sweet Home
“Intimate” was a word used often to describe the vibe at Copenhagen Fashion Week. In New York, SC103’s Claire McKinney and Sophie Andes-Gascon and Libertine’s Johnson Hartig are chasing a similar vibe. Both brands are skipping the runway in favor of something more intimate. McKinney and Andes-Gascon will take appointments in their new shop on Henry Street in the Two Bridges neighborhood, Hartig has turned a former artist studio on the Upper East Side into a VIP showroom.—Laird Borrelli-Persson
Mercury in Freefall
Expect weather to to be a main topic of conversation this week. After years of mild, nearly snowless winters, Mother Nature has adopted an icy demeanor. Following this weekend’s dangerous Deep Freeze, the temperature will rise from the (predicted) teens to the 30s. This presents a challenge for those who want to avoid frostbite while still looking cute for street style photographers Phil Oh and Acielle Tanbetova. Oh’s formula for not becoming a snowman is layering: shirt, Uniqlo light down jacket, one or two additional jackets, and a big heavy coat. Call it the Michelin man approach to warmth—topped off with a pop-pom knit beanie. —LBP