New York Fashion Week Embraces Sincerity in 2026

Designers move away from archetypes and callbacks to focus on personal style.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The best collections at New York Fashion Week's Fall 2026 shows weren't about cerebral references or classic power dressing, but rather about designers embracing their personal style and emotional connections to clothes. Tory Burch, Ashlyn, Daniella Kallmeyer, Colleen Allen, Henry Zankov, Hillary Taymour of Collina Strada, and Zane Li of Lii all presented collections that felt sincere and intuitive, moving away from hyper-specific inspiration or techniques. This new approach to 'New York style' is a departure from the city's past associations with glamour, flash, and minimalist chic.

Why it matters

The shift in New York fashion reflects a broader desire among designers and consumers to move away from overly curated, nostalgic, or conceptual approaches to dressing. Instead, there's a focus on clothes that feel authentic and allow wearers to express their true selves, rather than adhere to outdated archetypes of New York style.

The details

Designers like Tory Burch, Ashlyn, and Daniella Kallmeyer are creating pieces that blend sophistication and eccentricity, offering new takes on power dressing. Meanwhile, Colleen Allen, Henry Zankov, and Hillary Taymour of Collina Strada are exploring more romantic, dreamier aesthetics that still feel bold and confident. Even younger labels like Lii are offering a refreshing take on minimalism. Overall, the common thread is a focus on intuition, sincerity, and allowing personal style to shine through.

  • New York Fashion Week's Fall 2026 shows took place in February 2026.

The players

Tory Burch

An American fashion designer who founded the Tory Burch clothing and accessories brand.

Bunny Mellon

An American philanthropist, art collector, and interior designer who was known for her elegant and sophisticated style.

Ashlyn

A fashion label founded by designer Ashlyn Park, known for creating a new kind of uniform for ambitious, creative, and chic women.

Daniella Kallmeyer

A fashion designer who creates everyday clothes with unique and elevated details.

Colleen Allen

A fashion designer who explores romantic and dreamier aesthetics in her collections.

Henry Zankov

A fashion designer who elevates and pushes ideas around femininity and power through his colorful and dynamic collections.

Hillary Taymour

The designer behind the Collina Strada label, known for creating clothes that find comfort and humanity in the face of societal challenges.

Zane Li

The 25-year-old designer behind the Lii label, offering a refreshing take on minimalist fashion.

Mike Eckhaus and Zoe Latta

The designers behind the Eckhaus Latta label, known for their intuitive and sought-after designs.

Anna Sui

A veteran New York fashion designer who has defined a certain 'thrown-together-perfectly' style for generations of artistically-minded women.

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What they’re saying

“This isn't about Bunny Mellon or my dad, per se, but I thought 'Who are the two most stylish people I know?' and it's them. It's not even about the way they look at fashion, but the way they're effortless and never try too hard.”

— Tory Burch

“I always want it to feel colorful and dynamic, but we're also in a time right now where we can't express ourselves in any other way than what's going on.”

— Henry Zankov

“The world is trying to turn us, but we're hanging on to humanity, even as our fangs sharpen with disillusionment.”

— Hillary Taymour, Designer, Collina Strada

The takeaway

The new 'New York style' embraced at the Fall 2026 shows represents a shift away from overly curated, nostalgic, or conceptual fashion toward a more sincere and intuitive approach. Designers are focusing on creating clothes that allow wearers to express their true selves, rather than adhere to outdated archetypes, reflecting a broader desire for authenticity in fashion.