February 11, 2026 |
For the last few years, quiet luxury has dominated New York fashion week. And while Ralph Lauren is beloved for its exceedingly tasteful cashmere sweaters and smart tailoring, let it be known that this season, Mr Lauren has proclaimed it’s time to move on. For autumn 2026, it’s all about the spirit of adventure – having a sense of fun with fashion, a sentiment that’s been sorely lacking lately. Instead of a closet of neutrals, this woman is about making her wardrobe her own, reflecting a confident, renegade spirit. And with a stacked celebrity showing that included the likes of Anne Hathaway, Lana Del Rey, Ariana DeBose, Rebecca Hall and more, it seemed less of an abstract concept created by a designer and more like a fact embodied by the front row.
The tone was set from the get go as Gigi Hadid opened the show, making her first NYFW appearance. Clad in a turtleneck layered under a tweed corset coordinated set adorned with a silver chain belt, it felt quirky and reflective of a woman who has a strong sense of personal style. That same conviction could be seen throughout, whether it be a sparkling shirt worn with a paisley tie and pageboy hat or a green velvet minidress cinched at the waist with a brown leather belt. From strong shoulders to chainmail to brocade, textures and silhouettes leaned towards the grandiose. Minimalism? Never knew her. Welcome to an era when more is definitely more.
Details count in a Ralph Lauren show, and autumn 2026 was no different. One jacket was designed to reverse from shearling pile to cracked metallic foil while another featured hand-distressed leather. A third, a leopard-print shearling, got its bubble shape courtesy of a hidden crinoline layer. Eveningwear, always a strong suit, also received the same level of care. Take, for example, a high-neck sequin column dress, which used flocked velvet to create a moody effect while a different gown showcased a double dyeing technique, layering brown and dark blue for a certain luminescence. Even the tops had their moment in the sun, namely one that had a unique juxtaposition of glass-bead fringing that gave it a delicacy. From painting to the addition of leather strips, you could see the level of craftsmanship required for these looks.
As for the accessories, they anchored the idea that this Ralph Lauren woman loves an unexpected finishing touch. Whether it was riding boots or embroidered velvet slippers, footwear was functional yet stylish. Meanwhile the jewellery was delightfully vintage-inspired, be it the brooches attached to sashes on blazers or the slew of dangly earrings that peeked out of bouncing hair. Handbags spanned practical to glamorous as the Ralph bag was trotted out in both tote and mini crossbody forms while a new Deco Lock clutch included a chain handle that sat on the hand like a bracelet.
Following a men’s show that proved the brand’s staying power and ability to reinvent itself, it seems like Mr Lauren has done it again with his women’s collection. Textured, fresh and just a bit off-kilter, it was a reminder that fashion can and should be fun.
Photography courtesy of Ralph Lauren.
