Gucci Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear, Photo Courtesy of Gucci
Whether Demna Gvasalia is comparable to the “emperor’s new clothes”—a genius ahead of his time or simply selling overhyped, ordinary, or ugly items—is one of the most debated topics in modern fashion.
While some view his work as brilliant, subversive commentary on consumerism, others see it as a high-concept hustle that turns ordinary items into luxury goods, mocking consumers in the process.
As is typical with Demna’s boldest collections, the online reaction to Gucci has been polarizing. I didn’t know what to expect from his Gucci runway debut. Let’s just say, notwithstanding some honestly good pieces, including a great pea jacket and a very chic 60 ’s-inspired knee-length coat I could imagine Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wearing (see lead shot), it was not the largely vampy, sleazy display that followed.
Demi Moore, wearing Gucci, attends the Gucci Fall 2026 show in Milan, wmagazine.com
If nothing else, the collection proves how cyclical fashion is. It is a welcome respite for those who are a bit tired of voluminous, body-obscurant fashion and sick of hearing that skinny jeans, leggings, and jeggings are dead, to be avoided like the plague.
Fendi Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear, Photo by Launchmetrics Spotlight for The Impression
I was a bit underwhelmed with Maria Grazia Chiuri’s debut as creative director of Fendi. The show, which I kept mistaking for Dior under Chiuri’s tutelage, focused on craftsmanship and emotional durability, but lacked the usual Fendi excitement.
It shifted away from the vibrant, playful, and high-drama aesthetic established by its predecessors, prioritizing sober wearables and commercial staples over spectacle. I wanted more!
Bottega Veneta Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear, Photo by Spotlight Launchmetrics for The Impression
Quite frankly, what I was expecting at Fendi was the plush, tactile, luxurious touchy-feely collection that was delivered with Louise Trotter’s sophomore outing at Bottega Veneta. A one-note wonder, Trotter is not! And she is proof that there is a way around using real animal fur.
Bottega Veneta Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear Photo by Spotlight Launchmetrics for The Impression
The “fur” seen on recent Bottega Veneta runways and in stores is a combination of engineered synthetic materials and other alternatives. Trotter uses recycled fiberglass to create shaggy, fur-like textures described as “feeling like fur, moving like glass.”
For fall 2026, Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons focus on the “continuous necessity of change,” presenting 60 looks through only 15 models who shed or added layers to showcase a controlled chaos of and the fluid nature of daily dressing.
Prada Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear Photo by Spotlight Launchmetrics for The Impression
While I found the Prada fall-winter 2026 collection to be a bit confusing at first, I understand the concept. The essence is a meditative exploration of the multifaceted, layered nature of modern women’s lives, blending practicality with luxury through a transformative process in clothing.
Prada Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear, Photo by Umberto Fratini for Gorunway.com
What Prada always excels in is that deliberate fusion of opposing worlds—luxury and utility, comfort and tailoring, history and rebellion—into a single, wearable look. Prada coats are always exemplary and collectible. Carolyn Bessette- Kennedy wore her many Prada coats on repeat.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy wearing Prada in New York, Photo by Lawrence Schwarzwald
An online auction for Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe, hosted by The Fashion Auctioneer (it closes on March 3), features authentic pieces from her personal closet—including a trio of Prada coats she cherished and her favorite camel-toned iteration (seen above), estimated to fetch $20,000 – $30,000.
One of CBK’s signatures is her neat knee-length coats, worn over wide-legged jeans or well-tailored trousers. It’s a combination and proportion that is practical, flattering, urbane, and hard to beat.
Marni Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear, Photo by Giovanni Giannoni for WWD
For her Marni debut, Meryll Rogge resurrected and highlighted knee-length coats from the brand’s early original DNA, specifically the late 90’s/early 2000s era of founder Consuelo Castiglioni. Meryll describes them as “extremely fresh”, surprisingly relevant, and a way to start a new, grounded, and slightly eccentric chapter for the brand.
The reason Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s style is striking such a chord these days is the same reason traditional Milanese fashion does: its focus on pieces that feel intentional rather than trendy, that look so good.
Milanese fashion houses that typically exemplify sprezzatura (studied nonchalance) and quiet luxury—characterized by impeccable tailoring, high-quality materials, neutral hues, and understated elegance—include Giorgio Armani, Max Mara, Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana, Jil Sander, and Tod’s.
Tod’s Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear, Photo by Giovanni Giannoni for WWD
Although its roots are in the Marche region rather than Milan, Tod’s is firmly embedded in the Milanese fashion scene and represents the pinnacle of “Made in Italy” craftsmanship. The fall 2026 collection is a step forward for Creative Director Matteo Tamburini, who continues to gain confidence, moving the brand beyond just classic staples into more experimental territory while remaining true to its roots.
Jil Sander Fall 2026 Ready-to-Wear, Photo by Giovanni Giannoni for WWD
I could not help but look at Jil Sander and think that Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy would adore this entire collection. Designed by Simone Belotti, it is a confident, sophisticated evolution of the brand that successfully blends minimalism with a new, personal, and slightly surreal narrative.
Belotti focuses on an intimate, restrained, and precise aesthetic, successfully moving beyond mere reproduction of the house codes to add his own perspective. Not an easy feat, look at Calvin Klein!
LATEST COMMENTS:
Wonderful, what a website it is! This website presents valuable data to us, keep it up.
What a great talent Ruben is …… in addition to being a thoroughly lovely man. And the legacy of his…
Hi, I am looking to relaunch my website, with an interactive plateform. Can you recommend someone with the creative and…
An Explosion of stunning and playful creativity inspired by the Glorious BEAUTY of ORCHIDS!!!