New York Fashion Week Recap: Here’s What You Missed

By Katherine Moore

With New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2026 under wraps at the end of this long weekend, let’s take a look at some key moments and trends you may have missed. 

  1. Ralph Lauren Debuts Romantic Victorian Era Collection 

With elements of romance, renaissance, and revival, Ralph Lauren opened the runway with a collection that combined different eras and periods, creating adventurous looks while remaining true to classic Ralph Lauren heritage. Tweed jackets, medieval metallics, chainmail-style accents, dark floral prints, and velvet gowns combined medieval-core with renaissance style. Capes, military jackets, newsboy hats, and brooches were among some styles that walked the runway, proving that Ralph Lauren’s collection is tailored toward your personal style, and you can take different elements from the variety into your own wardrobe. It mixed darkness and fantasy with adventure and utility, creating a multifunctional collection tailoring to so many different personas, which is what New York is all about. 

2. Coach is Bringing Counterculture Back

Coach combined elements of teen angst with high fashion, creating a dynamic runway showcasing skater culture, “varsity” core, and classic Hollywood. Coach’s NYFW show channeled a grunge energy with rebellious silhouettes such as inside-out blazers, while also celebrating classic Hollywood with beautiful embellished gowns, and tapping into “varsity” culture with plaids, a-line skirts, high tops, and varsity jackets. Upcycled fabrics were used to highlight sustainability and second-hand clothing. The show blended iconic American fashion themes to give exposure to the creativity of the younger generation, sustainability, and counterculture.7

3. For All Mankind is Tapping into the Messy Era Again

Nicola Brognano debuted his first collection for 7 For All Mankind at NYFW, which was also the denim brand’s NYFW debut in general. Aiming to highlight the brand as more than just iconic denim, Brognano brought a major Y2K energy to the runway, with tube dresses, skinny jeans, layered t-shirts, and leather jackets. The models wore messy hair and makeup, loud accessories, and high stilettos, as if these looks were taken straight from “it-girl” paparazzi pics of the past. This collection was for the girls running around New York, going out, and doing whatever they want. They are messy, wild, feminine, and sassy. One of the most iconic style choices of this show is that the models wore club wristbands, to highlight the “night before” party aesthetic. These girls really just woke up like this. This show crushed the clean girl aesthetic in just a few minutes and brought back the nostalgic messy party girl era, which is a breath of fresh air and fun fashion needs right now.