Highlights from New York Fashion Week AW26

Melancholy, Tarot-inspired fashion and minimal Bauhaus chic designs dominated the runways this season.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Despite the frigid weather, New York Fashion Week still had hundreds of runway shows this February. Full-length gowns, retro-inspired styles and minimal chic designs were standouts on the runways. Designers like Christian Cowan, Contessa Mills, PUBLIC SERV-CE, Marc Jacobs, and Khaite presented their latest collections, showcasing a range of themes and aesthetics.

Why it matters

New York Fashion Week is a highly anticipated biannual event that sets the tone for upcoming fashion trends. The designers and collections featured provide insight into the evolving styles and cultural influences shaping the industry. These highlights offer a glimpse into the creative visions and diverse perspectives that captivated audiences at this season's shows.

The details

Christian Cowan's collection, titled 'Before the Door Opens,' focused on the intimacy of the bedroom, featuring vintage 1950s-inspired looks like corsets and lace-trimmed lingerie. Contessa Mills presented 'The Queen of Cups,' a Tarot-inspired collection with a poetic, womb-like setting. PUBLIC SERV-CE's 'Dark Matter' show featured a stark, Bauhaus-inspired aesthetic with a star-studded model lineup. Marc Jacobs' 'Memory. Loss' collection had a melancholic tone, with rectangular silhouettes, grey wool, and plaid maxi dresses. Khaite's fall collection went goth, with velvet jackets, furry coats, and all-black suiting.

  • The fashion shows took place during New York Fashion Week in February 2026.

The players

Christian Cowan

A fashion designer who presented his 'Before the Door Opens' collection at New York Fashion Week.

Contessa Mills

A fashion designer who presented her 'The Queen of Cups' collection at New York Fashion Week.

PUBLIC SERV-CE

A fashion brand that presented its 'Dark Matter' collection at New York Fashion Week.

Marc Jacobs

A renowned fashion designer who presented his 'Memory. Loss' collection at New York Fashion Week.

Khaite

A fashion brand that presented its fall collection at New York Fashion Week.

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What they’re saying

“I have always been fascinated by the moment before you step out the door. There is something powerful about that private ritual, when you are alone with the mirror and deciding who you are about to be. This season, I wanted to expose that process and make it the spectacle itself.”

— Christian Cowan

“Memories, both bittersweet and beautiful are a faculty of purpose influencing current and future actions- who we are, what we create, what we leave behind and what we carry forward. We allow our senses and instincts to guide us, respecting the appearance of these thoughts by preserving them.”

— Marc Jacobs

The takeaway

New York Fashion Week continues to be a platform for designers to showcase their creative visions and push the boundaries of fashion. This season's highlights demonstrate the industry's ability to adapt to changing times, with designers exploring themes of intimacy, nostalgia, and minimalism to captivate audiences and set the tone for future fashion trends.