NYFW, Unbuttoned

Sergio Hudson, SS26

There’s nothing like New York Fashion Week to remind you that the city runs on caffeine, Ubers, and the collective delusion that heels are a practical mode of transportation. I’ve spent the past week running between showrooms, posting up on my laptop in coffee shops across the city, and seeing some of the most beautiful clothes. In between, it’s been subway delays, frantic Uber rides, rain-soaked blowouts, and trying to answer work emails while hurrying to an event. That’s the duality of Fashion Week — breathtaking collections set against very unglamorous logistics. And while we treat NYFW like gospel, up close it’s messier,and more human than the Instagram stories suggest.

Like when my uber got stuck in traffic so I ended up walking the last 10 minutes to a show in my Amina Muaddis, showing up flushed from the late afternoon humidity. Or the late nights spent hunched over my laptop, answering emails and writing orders — some nights were so long I came dangerously close to dozing off mid–pivot table.

And then there were the in-between moments — running into the same industry people on every corner, afternoon coffees that single-handedly kept me going, and coffee shop Wi-Fis nowhere near strong enough for Fashion Week traffic. Not to mention the tote bag strap permanently imprinted on my shoulder from lugging around multiple chargers and the backup flats I never actually changed into.

But we do it all for the fashion, and this SS26 market, I noticed two things:

First, clothes are getting dressed again. After seasons of bare midriffs and “pantless” looks, there’s a return to true tailoring. TWP leaned into unfussy but elevated pieces — trousers and shirting that feel like the backbone of a modern uniform. Rohe focused on clean, flattering silhouettes and jackets with real structure, each punctuated by a twist — a peplum shape or unexpected color pop — that set it apart.

But, secondly, the drama isn’t dead. Altuzarra brought sheer layers and fluid shine, while Brandon Maxwell balanced day and night with crisp plaids for polish by day with sequin details to carry you into the night.

And that’s the best part of NYFW — it holds both. Serious clothes that remind us of fashion’s craft and longevity, and playful flourishes that make us fall in love with it all over again.