There’s no place quite like Manhattan during the collections, especially when the city graciously served us a rare pocket of sunshine sandwiched between two roaring February blizzards. New York Fashion Week remains the premier event in the industry, drawing top designers and celebrities from around the globe to witness the season’s defining moments. From the Upper East Side to downtown pop-ups, the home team of American fashion delivered a week that was an ode to both heritage and the future. Whether it was Michael Kors marking 45 years at the Metropolitan Opera House or Ashlynn Park of Ashlyn exploring new materials, treatments and shapes, the energy was electric.
The Icons: This season once again, we’re reminded why these names are the pillars of American luxury.
Michael Kors: Marking 45 years in the business, the collection was superlative, showcasing bold elegance through looser, relaxed tailoring. Held at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Centre, the show matched the grandeur of its venue, as a true "love letter" to New York.
Tory Burch: Staged at the Breuer building with stunning warm wood panels, the collection was polished and wearable but with a kooky, eccentric twist. Particularly eye-catching were the sardine accessories and the swinging fish and leather flasks.
Calvin Klein Collection: On Friday the 13th, creative director Veronica Leoni presented her strongest vision yet. The collection focussed on a minimal palette, sloped shoulders and soft tailoring that paid homage to the brand’s cultural peak.
Altuzarra: At the Woolworth Building, Joseph Altuzarra used novels as inspiration for a collection rich in textures. The layering of suede, leather, cashmere and shearling was like a warm embrace, especially against the New York chill.
Anna Sui: The feel-good moment of the week took place at the National Arts Club, with an ultra-glam crowd including Debbie Harry and Marc Jacobs. Anna Sui showcased retro '60s flower brocade pant suits trimmed in faux fur.
The Visual Storytellers: For those who see fashion as art, these designers provided a fresh perspective.
Ashlyn: Seoul-born, New York-based designer Ashlynn Park used her 2025 award funding to highlight her sculptural DNA, exploring innovative materials and treatments.
Diotima: Rachel Scott delivered an intimate yet powerful collection, which beautifully balanced sculptural tailoring with intricate knit and crochet details.
Colleen Allen: Inspired by Louise Bourgeois, Colleen Allen’s collection featured lush, cocoon-like wraps and intentionally tattered lace. She also introduced her first accessory: a versatile bustle bag.
Marina Moscone: Presenting at the Chelsea Hotel with her dog Gia, Marina Moscone’s clothes were modern and spare, and the romantic, florally feathery shoe clips were a complete standout.
The Debuts & Comebacks
The energy shifted downtown for the returns and debuts that everyone was talking about.
Public School: Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow made a buzzy return to NYFW; the highlight being a satiny red bomber styled over a slouchy double-breasted suit that perfectly captured modern menswear.
Lii: Zane Li continues to redefine American sportswear with minimalist yet playful shapes. This season saw more pastel pinks and mint greens alongside his signature bold blues.
Zankov: A "grunge-meets-prep" aesthetic dominated this collection. The vampy colour palette and psychedelic ski knits felt like a natural maturation for the brand.
Sanderlak: The new label from the former creative director of Sies Marjan debuted with a pop-up inspired by Los Angeles and coastal Californian hues.
Descendant of Thieves: Their Spring preview showcased a refined colour palette and a mixture of fabrics that brought vital texture and life to the garments.
The Accessories:
No look was complete this season without the carefully curated details and this season’s these were defined by a few key accessory trends: Fforme and Campillo both embraced textural interest with pony hair and pendant necklaces, while Tory Burch and TWP introduced a utilitarian yet chic edge with leather flasks and swinging fish charms. Additionally, Colleen Allen introduced her first-ever accessory: a bustle bag designed to be held or tied around the waist. Together, these pieces underscored the unmistakable New York look.
Courtesy: @nyfwcollections
