February 6, 2026 |
Brrrrrrrr – with the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics kicking off this evening, what once lived purely on icy slopes has been reimagined on one of the world’s biggest stages – Fashion Week – with multiple AW26 shows bringing snow gear to the runway. From sleek aerodynamic outerwear to cosy après-ski layers, ski-wear was everywhere this season: with bold silhouettes and high-tech fabrics meeting movement and performance. Brands such as Dsquared2, Dries Van Noten and more gave vintage ski aesthetics a fresh remix, tinging it with technological futurism. Think gritty, retro alpine vibes filtered through a new, glossy lens. Aside from AW26, a number of brands, including Moncler, Ralph Lauren and Emporio Armani, have also designed the kits for certain country’s teams. So whether you are hitting the slopes, or merely attempting to survive the biting cold while you watch your country go for gold, seek inspiration on what to wear from these collections which blur the line between function and style. Perhaps they will peak your interest… Lillie Elston
RALPH LAUREN
It should come as no surprise that the après-ski mania saw Milan as its first backdrop, kicking things off with a heat wave of impeccably styled cool-kids looks on the Purple Label and Polo Ralph Lauren AW26 menswear runway. The collection unveiled signature utility pieces reimagined through surprising fabric pairings (sport coats in fine cashmere? Check!) as well as heritage staples in bold, rugged tones. If that’s not enough, checkered scarves, neon jackets tied around the waist and leather cowboy belts added an edgy, effortless je ne sais quoi to the timeless elegance of Lauren’s designs. With navy tailored suits paired with silver-finished puffer jackets and ski suits styled with bow ties, the runway ensembles looked ready for a 007-coded evening. Gstaad cocktail hour turned enemy-chase down the slopes? Why not. Cecilia Nuvola Bechini
DSQUARED2
If anyone understood the assignment of slopes-ready runway looks, it was the Canadian Caten brothers from Dsquared2. If the catwalk can’t go to the mountains, then the mountains must come to the catwalk. And indeed, it did: the brand’s AW26 show sent bundled up (and dressed down) models to walk down it’s recreation of a ski slope – faux snow, pine trees, the whole lot. Opening the show was the talk of the town, actor Hudson Williams of the HBO global success Heated Rivalry, who trekked down the slope-inspired runway in ski boots and a jacket that was part-bomber, part-shredded denim jacket. What followed was a series of show-stopping ensembles reimagining ski attire in all kinds of creative ways: red-lacquered, oversized ski jackets, waterproof sporty corsets, dizzying, sexy footwear that was the ultimate Dsquared2 take on ski boots, with goggles serving as hair bands and puffy, bold ushankas finishing the looks with a fuzzy flair. With toned torsos peaking out of chunky winter coats and accentuated, sensual silhouettes wrapped in alpine attire, snow-ready sportswear never looked so fine. CNB
Guess
In a faraway Swiss alpine scene, the AW26 Guess show served up a platter of cool winter glamour and laid-back après-ski vibes. Wrapped-up models hit the icy runway in monochrome, silhouettes styled with cable knits, plush faux furs and sculptural overcoats. A snowy leopard print popped up throughout, while underlayers were buttoned down beneath the outerwear to keep out wintry gusts. Slouchy jeans and leggings appeared tucked into fax fur-lined snowboots and the looks were finished off with peak-reflecting sunnies. Guess’ take on winter style is chic, cosy, comfortable yet fabulous – a podium finish for modern mountain fashion. LE
Brunello Cucinelli
Brunello Cucinelli’s AW26 collection presented a rewritten uniform for the outdoors-y man. Directly influenced by nature, the luxurious materials used had a technical sensibility tucked neatly into their classical mood. Over woolen layers subtly tied across shoulders, peak-reminiscent outerwear featured structured panelling, wide lapels and mechanical zips. The final two looks were actual snowsuits, with matching gloves in hand. Indeed the garments blanketed the body, yet they possessed a weightless air – perfect for sliding off the slopes and straight into first place. LE
Wooyoungmi
Drop your shoulders from your ears and unclench your jaw, Wooyoungmi has gifted us with a collection that expels the frosty breath from your numbing nostrils this autumn to winter 2026. With the South Korean designer Madame Woo’s home land occasionally peeking above freezing this time of year, the fun-sponge-weather inspired contemporary winter dress codes with dandy-esque tailoring and leaving a rudely cool impression. Craft knits narrate stories from Mongolia and Tibet, streamlined by tailored suits with XL collars from the ’60s and draped Afghan coats atop. From puffers to parkas with faux fur halos, there’s plenty options to layer with. Prefer to airily watch the Milano-Cortina Olympics in a toasty, pap-ready fit? Wooyoungmi has you covered. Fi Munday
Dries Van Noten
A concoction of Fair Isle après-ski knits, turtlenecks layered with large lapelled jackets and draped wool capes created the eclectic line-up that was the Dries Van Noten AW26 collection. Models strutted past in a flurry of multi-layered, multi-coloured fabrics that somehow avoided becoming what should have been jarring clashes. Instead, colours bled into each other as if they were something from a maximalist’s daydream. The brand gave us sneak peeks of chunky, woolly socks worn over boot tops and floral grandma-like button ups under blocky argyle knits. It was the kind of cosy that’s best enjoyed kicking back and relaxing by a crackling fire in the mountain chalet. LE
Louis Vuitton
Pharrell Williams, men’s creative director at Louis Vuitton, beckoned us from his prefabricated home, The Drophaus, to get suited and booted just in time for the winter games. Through a frosted lens, the future of winter sports, timelessly slouchy yet angular, cropped up in the AW26 collection through a rainbow of grey, accented with pockets of warm tones. With the Olympics’ about to open its doors, Pharrell carried cosiness forward, with classy, constructed pieces that placed longevity in the driver’s seat, resulting in a collection that offered menswear a chic, high performance edge that so often gets lost amongst the chill. FM
Top image: photography courtesy of Dries Van Noten. Photography courtesy of Ralph Lauren, Dsquared2, Guess, Brunello Cucinelli, Wooyoungmi, Dries Van Noten, Louis Vuitton.
