NYFW: Fall 2026 — Hot Takes & Runway Reactions From the First Days of Fashion Week
From nostalgia trips to major brand bops, here’s what had us talking, double-tapping, and side-eyeing at NYFW.
THE SHOWS:
MARC JACOBS — Memory Lane, But Make It Emotional
Photography courtesy of Marc Jacobs.
Leave it to Marc to make you feel something. For Fall/Winter 2026, Jacobs turned the Park Avenue Armory into a mood board — intimate folding chairs, a lone daisy artwork, and feels that hit like a deep text from an ex. The collection wasn’t just clothes — it was nostalgia digested, re-tailored, and served with a side of heart. ’90s silhouettes, CBK-core energy, and subtle tailoring gave his runway a vibe that said: maybe the past isn’t cancelled — just remixed.
COACH — American Dream School of Cool
Photography courtesy of Coach.
Coach’s Fall 2026 show was like the varsity jacket you wore to high school but cooler, perfectly blending ‘70s sportswear references, Hollywood glamour, and skateboard-energy everything. Varsity stripes marched beside evening gowns and messenger bags done up in attitude — like a prep-school uniform after a punk rock phase. Creative Director Stuart Vevers managed to make Americana feel less tired and more teen movie with a killer soundtrack.
Galore moment: When the collection screams football game night but the afterparty is at a grunge show.
PROENZA SCHOULER — Sleek, Urban, and So Now
Photo by Giovanni Giannoni/WWD via Getty Images
Proenza Schouler kicked off the official NYFW schedule this season, and it felt like a reminder that New York City tailoring still owns the runway. With Rachel Scott at the creative helm this season, the brand settled into a vibe that was sharp without being safe — minimalist shapes that actually mean something and a cool, collected silhouette that could fit both Soho brunch and late-night gallery hopping.
Galore moment: The kind of collection that says “I woke up like this” — even if you didn’t.
ANNA SUI — Vintage Pastel With Punk Heart
Photo: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com
True to form, Anna Sui’s presentation felt like a dreamy cluttered suitcase full of juju — flirty prints, punk grunge roots, and that consistently unbothered, old-record-spin energy that distinguishes her from the lane of minimalist fashion. If you like your clothes with a soundtrack — think dolly rock meets ’90s cool girl spinning through the city streets.
Galore moment: When your outfit has more personality than half the front row combined.
7 FOR ALL MANKIND — 07 Vibes Rebooted (Cunty Alert)
Courtesy of 7 For All Mankind
Look, Sis. This was not just a jeans show — this was a nostalgia heist. Returning to the NYFW calendar after years off felt like catching an old friend with a brand new swagger. Think: low-rise whispers, denim that looks like it stole a varsity jacket’s lunch money, and Olsen Twins circa early 2000s pretending you’re running late to a party energy. This wasn’t just denim — it was a full mood.
Galore moment: When you say “denim” but really mean return of the cool girls’ uniform.
AREA — The Antidote to Basics
Rodin Banica/WWD
Area’s second show of the season let you know immediately that minimal has left the chat. Sequins, texture, fantasy — this was the brand saying, “We’re here, we’re loud, and your weekend plans just got a dress code.” Sparkle doesn’t whisper here — it screams, flirts, and throws glitter in your face (in the best way).
Galore moment: When you walk into the bar and everyone has already been watching you.
Come back here for more updates as we progress into the week of looks…
