The fashion calendar has turned, and with it comes that unmistakable frisson in the air — the promise of silhouettes reimagined, palettes recalibrated, and a new mood taking hold. All eyes are trained on New York Fashion Week, where the Autumn/Winter 2026 collections are unfolding from February 11-16 in a crescendo of spectacle and savoir-faire.
While fashionistas dissect hemlines and buyers take notes, the front row tells its own story — one written in flashbulbs and finished with immaculate tailoring. From restrained minimalism to theatrical glamour, here’s rounding off some defining celebrity moments that are transforming the shows into fashion’s most compelling stage.
At the Ralph Lauren Autumn 2026 Ready-to-Wear show, Anne Hathaway delivered a masterclass in contemporary romance. Cloaked in a semi-sheer black lace halter gown adorned with rippling ruffles, the silhouette cascaded into a sweeping train that trailed behind her like a whispered secret. A rich brown fur stole enveloped her shoulders, injecting texture, volume and cinematic drama. The The Devil Wears Prada actress Old Hollywood glamour, refracted through a thoroughly modern lens .
At Calvin Klein, coordinated nonchalance took centre stage. Jackson White and Grace Van Patten embraced double denim with studied ease: light-wash jeans paired with matching jackets and pared-back neutrals. White’s classic trucker jacket, softened by a shearling-style collar, lent tactile warmth to the duo’s insouciant aesthetic. Sleek black boots grounded the look, underscoring denim’s enduring reign as fashion’s most democratic staple.
François Arnaud arrived at Calvin Klein in a slate-toned jumpsuit that distilled utilitarian chic into a single, streamlined gesture. Clean lines and muted colour proved that restraint can be just as commanding as excess.
For Calvin Klein, Dakota Johnson offered a study in quiet luxury. A sharply tailored cropped jacket met a fluid, ankle-grazing skirt in a dialogue of structure and softness. Dark sunglasses framed her gaze, while loose waves nodded subtly to vintage screen glamour. A petite ivory top-handle bag punctuated the monochrome palette.
Lily Collins balanced polish with provocation at Calvin Klein. Beneath a sleek black overcoat, a textured crimson cropped top plunged daringly, injecting vibrancy into the restrained ensemble. High-waisted trousers and pointed leather boots elongated the silhouette, while a razor-sharp bob and minimal adornment kept the mood resolutely modern.
Few command a front row like Jodie Turner-Smith. Her vibrant yellow playsuit, punctuated by sharp graphic lines, was heightened by a tailored long coat that lent statuesque elegance as she attended the Calvin Klein Fall 2026 show. Sheer black tights, pointed pumps and leather gloves dialled up the drama, while oversized hoops, slim sunglasses and a headscarf delivered unapologetic high-fashion edge.
K-pop sensation Jennie brought polish with personality to Calvin Klein in a mint-green suiting set. The relaxed blazer and straight-leg trousers were offset by a striped button-down and cinched with a brown belt, sculpting the silhouette with subtle authority. Black pointed heels and slim spectacles reinforced the quietly powerful, boardroom-adjacent allure.
Never one to whisper when she can roar, Julia Fox turned the Marc Jacobs show into her personal theatre. A sheer lavender bodysuit set the tone, layered beneath an oversized cream plush coat that revelled in excess. Towering white lace-up platform boots and dramatic smoky eyes propelled the ensemble into hyper-femme fantasy.
At Michael Kors, glamour arrived with a gleam of gold.
Dakota Fanning embodied modern delicacy in a black frayed satin charmeuse draped tank dress that skimmed the body with liquid ease. The subtle texture of the fabric caught the light with every movement, offering dimension without excess. Against the inky backdrop of her dress, a gleaming gold necklace from the Spring 2026 collection emerged as a focal point — bold yet refined, its sculptural presence adding warmth and radiance to the otherwise monochrome ensemble.
Rachel Zegler opted for sculpted minimalism, pairing a white viscose bodysuit with the house’s black tissue wool crepe draped culottes from Spring 2026. The interplay between the fitted bodice and the fluid, sculpted volume of the culottes created a silhouette that felt both directional and timeless. Once again, a gold necklace from the collection served as a luminous punctuation mark, elevating the neutral palette with understated opulence. A deep rust lip introduced a note of drama — the kind that transforms restraint into allure.
Meanwhile, Ariana DeBose delivered a masterclass in tonal tailoring. She layered an espresso linen blazer over a whisper-light silk voile shirtdress, both from the Spring/Summer 2026 Michael Kors Collection, embodying tailored finesse. Barrel trousers in a matching hue grounded the look, reinforcing the designer’s enduring affinity for relaxed sophistication. The tonal palette exuding metropolitan confidence.
At Carolina Herrera, the front row unfolded in a language of refinement — feminine, sculptural and impeccably poised.
Nina Dobrev arrived in a black off-shoulder rosette top paired with matching slim-cut trousers, proving once again that monochrome need never mean monotony. Architectural fabric rosettes traced the neckline and waist, adding dimensional drama without overwhelming the silhouette. The long sleeves slipped just off the shoulder, striking that elusive balance between allure and restraint. She kept her beauty pared back — a sleek parted ponytail, matte statement black earrings — allowing the textural detailing to command attention. A high-gloss red clutch provided a flash of lacquered confidence, punctuating the ensemble with decisive flair.
Ariana DeBose, attending the same show, redefined polished elegance in a crisp white oversized blouse with voluminous sleeves, tucked into a sculpted black midi skirt softened by gentle ruffle detailing. The proportions felt deliberate and directional: drama in the sleeve, structure at the waist, fluidity at the hem. Accessories were restrained yet impactful — bold sunglasses, statement earrings and a structured lilac mini bag that lent a contemporary twist. Classic black pointed pumps anchored the look, ensuring the overall effect remained timeless rather than trend-bound.
At Tory Burch, the mood was one of nuanced strength — femininity sharpened with intention, silhouettes tailored yet expressive.
Amanda Seyfried embraced elevated power dressing in a metallic gold crinkled blazer, worn slightly undone for studied insouciance. Beneath, an ice-blue high-waisted skirt — slit daringly to the thigh and dusted with delicate silver embellishment — shimmered with every step. The interplay of dusty blue and molten gold felt both romantic and resolute. A soft grey suede structured handbag introduced quiet elegance, while the house’s signature black-and-white pieced pumps, finished with a two-tone metal toe ring, underscored the look’s modern precision.
Tessa Thompson delivered a confident lesson in colour theory. A belted beige midi skirt met a collared crop top in a matching neutral, creating a streamlined foundation. Over it, a sunshine-yellow hooded jacket injected volume and verve — an exuberant counterpoint to the minimal base. Metallic jewellery added textural intrigue, yet it was the unexpected green pumps that truly animated the look, proving that sophistication need not shy away from bold chromatic play.
Meanwhile, Pamela Anderson distilled the collection’s ethos to its purest essence. A black collared blouse paired with a stark white belted pleated midi skirt delivered graphic clarity and timeless appeal. Sheer black tights and leather mules adorned with gold chain detailing added subtle polish, while a structured black handbag reinforced the understated luxury. The result was minimalist elegance at its most assured.
At Coach, the aesthetic leaned into a compelling tension — softness tempered by grit, nostalgia filtered through a contemporary lens.
Elle Fanning appeared almost storybook in an ivory slip dress layered beneath a diaphanous star-and-cloud overlay, the effect ethereal and dreamlike. Yet the romance was grounded by a camel leather jacket trimmed in faux fur along the collar, lapels and cuffs — a tactile counterbalance that introduced urban pragmatism. A pecan-brown quilted Tabby bag added heritage polish, while chunky white boots lent the ensemble a playful, slightly rebellious finish.
Emily Bader channelled ’90s-inflected minimalism with an open leather blazer worn over a cropped white tank and a low-rise black denim skirt finished with a back slit. The silhouette was clean, structured and faintly subversive. Slim sunglasses amplified the cool-girl detachment, while a sleek baguette bag aligned seamlessly with the pared-back downtown mood.
Storm Reid injected glossy edge into the proceedings with a cropped black leather bomber jacket, its subtle sheen catching the light. She paired it with a suede midi skirt featuring a front zip and visible topstitching, embracing texture as statement. A tucked-in red knit introduced a jolt of colour, sharpened further by navy pointed pumps. A black suede crossbody with gold hardware completed the look — modern, metropolitan, unmistakably self-possessed.
At Ralph Lauren, heritage elegance met contemporary cool.
Emilia Jones embraced sleek contrast in a black leather corset paired with a tan midi skirt. The structured bodice lent quiet strength, while the softer skirt introduced fluid movement and tonal warmth. Black boots grounded the look with pragmatic polish, resulting in an ensemble that felt understated yet distinctly directional.
Lili Reinhart leaned into old-money refinement with a deep-V brown textured blazer cinched by an oversized leather belt. Beneath, a black-and-gold pleated fringe skirt shimmered subtly, catching the light with each step. A small structured handbag reinforced the air of vintage sophistication. The overall impression was one of considered opulence .
Pictures courtesy: Instagram pages of Jennie, Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera, Ariana DeBose, Tory Burch, Emily Bader, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, and Elle Fanning, and posts made by The Wall Group in collaboration with the official Instagram page of New York Fashion Week.
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