Best of NYFW Spring/Summer 2026

By Mikaila Rivas ‘26

         Each September, the fashion world turns on its heels and all eyes are on New York City in anticipation for the upcoming looks of the Summer/Spring 2026 season.  

       New York Fashion Week happens twice a year in September and October, showing looks for the succeeding season to provide buyers, manufacturers, and media the opportunity to prepare for the corresponding season. NYFW, a part of the “Big Four” fashion weeks allows for designers to show their collection to audiences full of reporters, celebrities, industry experts, but arguably most importantly clients.  The week is full of stylish looks, but below are the looks that caught my eye and occupy my thoughts, even a month later.  

Tyler McGillivary 

McGuillivary’s show titled “Mermaidmen” was inspired by the classic 2000’s movie Aquamarine and certainly lives up to its nostalgic, yet pertinent reputation. The show tells a unique story of a woman's prior negative reputation through the eyes of a mermaid, who were often portrayed as temptresses, yet McGillivary comments they fundamentally come “back around to being really powerful and woman-forward.” The looks notably play into the internet’s acclaimed aesthetic “Siren Core” featuring flowy, shell-printed, and fishnet dresses, sailors hats, and shells as a pin on dresses and earrings.

The looks also feature swimsuits, dresses and skirts with a sailor’s map on them, paired with small red detailing, perhaps a reference to “X marks the spot.” Some models wore dark green fisherman boots, which serve as a fascinating contrast to the assorted dresses in light blues.  

The actress Sara Paxton who plays Aquamarine in the movie even made an appearance and modeled a beautiful layered green dress with a conch shell purse. It is rare I mention make-up for a fashion piece, but the highlighted glow, pinkish blush on the models faces, and simple makeup looks truly captured the simplicity of a “mermaiden” and was an eminent part of the fashion looks.  

Weiderhoeft 

Jackson Weiderhoeft is one of the true fashion designers who truly shows their love

for women with their art.  The dresses are nothing short of stunning and feature structured, yet beautiful silhouettes.  Most dresses are in the hues of yellow, black, red, and blue and feature a striking corset that is embodied with beautiful beads, sparkles, layers, or classic florals designs that accompany the detailed bottom of the gowns.  

The collection also features a suit jacket with a light black and white design and a single more casual look, yet still very elegant with a nearly see-through shirt and thick, soft-appearing pant.  

Dauphinette

Dauphinette’s personal and complex collection, it is meant to serve as a reflection of the emotional times the designer Olivia Cheng had experienced.  Forbes says, “both her

internal melancholy and outwardly joyful dressing and designs” unfold throughout the show. 

Strikingly, embellished tops in muted tones served a sparkle on the runway and so did blouses that featured shimmery detailing. The looks seemed to touch on some trends from past fashion era, including pantaloons from the Regency Era of the early 1800’s paired with a corset and a croissant-shaped hand bag. The most surprising part of the show was its opening with Vivian Wison, who opened the show with a scream and wore a bug-covered two piece tulle-like set. After a three-season long break, Cheng certainly picked up right where she left off. 

Anna Sui

Anna Sui is quite the acclaimed fashion designer and she keeps that fashion title, as in

this collection she showcases her classic nostalgic bohemian looks that certainly hold a place in my heart as the favorite of my favorites. 

Sui’s designs featured muted tones of whites, oranges, yellows, blues, purples, and pinks. Each model sported a blue eyeshadow and many wore layered pieces with belts over skirts or skirts over pants. The bottom wear was quite flowy, ideal for movement in for some light summer wind. Although the fabrics were loose, they presented a beautiful silhouette that was made possible with beautiful see-through lace design and wide belts with large circular silver buckles. Flowers were a recurring theme for this set and as a Ready-to-Wear collection it certainly meets its purpose. 

ALmée Couture 

ALmée Couture certainly showcased the most breathtaking dresses of the week. The designer, Taing Sokhang, is the first-ever Cambodian designer to present at NYFW and

certainly made a grand debut. The masterpieces of gowns shined on the runway and were handcrafted out of primarily gemstones, crystals, and sequins and sewn to display stories that are more than meets the eye.

The collection titled Spirit of the Forgotten is truly a take on heritage, as the gowns tell of the rich environment and culture of Cambodia with the rivers, wild blossoms, and even sacred temples of Angkor. Most memorably, the collection is dedicated to Sokhang’s father, who unfortunately passed away around the time the designer landed in New York. The gowns were an unforgettable moment of fashion week and raised the bar for couture fashion. 

NYFW S/S 2025 was certainly a week not to forget. Next year, one can only wonder what trends fashion designers have created that will make it mainstream. But for now, I’m sure we can all appreciate and anticipate what the designers above have in store for us.

All Photos Courtesy of Wiederhoeft, Jenn Xu, Giovanni Giannoni/WWD, ALmée Couture 

Source: wwd.com

Edited by Kavya Chacko '26, Catherine Polatidis '26, & Ms. Brilliant

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