With the end of the Spring/Summer 2026 Fashion weeks around the world, the industry of couture has had an exciting month. New debuts, changing trends and the same brands fighting for top spot on our Pinterest boards are just some of the highlights
New Debuts
What makes this new season so exciting? Vogue has dubbed this season “The Great Reshuffle” because so many creative directors have moved from one company to another, replacing their colleagues and leaving us all in anticipation of what they will bring to their new respective positions. Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta all received new creative directors — each of whom had much to prove from their new status.
Under the Chanel brand label, newly appointed Creative Director Mattieu Blazy emerged with his first ever ready-to-wear collection. His works featured oversized structured blazers, hanging silks and an Elysian feeling that both embodied modernity but harkened back to the origins of the Chanel brand. The clothing was at once oversized but elegant, balancing a modern silhouette with the class of colors and design representative of Chanel.
Though Jonathan Anderson has already released a collection for Dior’s menswear department, this was his first go at the womenswear collection. Debuting in Paris, the collection showcased Dior’s signature ethereality through capes, flowing silks and whimsical details that called back to romantic fashion details of ruffs and cloaks.
Balenciaga’s newly appointed Creative Director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, brought his A-game for his first ever collection under the fashion house. Keeping both the neutral tones of blacks and beiges, Piccioli also added calculated pops of yellows and oranges to designs ranging from loose to fitted. Though his designs still felt very representative of the way in which Balenciaga has positioned itself in the fashion industry, with designs that align with the current trends of the season.
Finally, Bottega Veneta, which has long been known for its leather accessories — bags, wallets, etc. — has just released a new collection under the direction of its new creative director, Louise Trotter. Debuting during Milan Fashion Week, the release maintained the usual focus on neutral tones and pastels. The textures, as with every Bottega Veneta release are to die for — leathers, feathers and furs — adding to the often simple designs. Trotter created a line mixing simplicity with textures and movement representative of the Bottega Veneta brand.
Trends to Keep in Mind
We can’t all buy straight from the runway, but any fashionable person should keep in mind the trends of the season. Whether trying to show off on a trip to New York or attempting to be the stylish classmate, these are the takeaways from the Spring 2026 fashion weeks.
According to Vogue, there are several key style takeaways from the 2026 Spring fashion weeks. Firstly, some of the more interesting trends.
Wearing leather paired with leather has controversially come into popularity. So have things like balloon pants, funnel-neck leather jackets and spirited skirts. Sure, these are not for the ordinary students hoping for a more stylish figure in their 8 a.m. classes, but it is for those wishing to fit into the fashion scene in New York.
Less controversially, however, we have a resurgence of the cropped jacket and trouser combo, the popularity of the cardigan and a focus on layering (with special focus on formulating outerwear as outfits of their own). If you are looking to upgrade your outfit, adding ties and bows seems to be in fashion, and adding scarves as a feature seems to be the new way to make dressing more chic.
When it comes to colors to wear this season, there seems to be a universal consensus. Firstly, black, as per usual, remains the most trendy choice. It can be paired with anything and gives off the quiet luxury feel that many brands are now aiming for. Secondly, many people have an adoration for navy blue, but this season it seems that they should trade in that shade of blue for its green equivalent — hunter green. Whether as a statement piece or a whole outfit, hunter green seems to be conveying the same level of class and elegance, just with a slightly different color. In addition to that, greys and pinks are making a comeback to the forefront of styling, and yellow has also managed to become less of an exotic side note and more a classy centerpiece in the Spring/Summer 2026 collections and for everyday style choices. The real message from many of the style choices from the runway is to layer colors. So, goodbye to the monotone sets and hello to putting together outfits that bring together neutral tones and exotic hues, creating eccentric yet put together looks that have heads turning.
Lusine Boyadzhyan is a Junior in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at lboyadzhyan@cornellsun.com.
