At Ralph Lauren Fall/Winter 2026, Heritage Meets Fantasy

At the onset of New York Fashion Week, Ralph Lauren once again reminded us that endurance, when paired with craft and imagination, will always lead the way. At 86, and fresh from returning his men’s line to Milan and outfitting Team USA for the Winter Olympics, the designer unveiled his Fall 2026 women’s ready-to-wear collection, expanding on the already abundant Ralph Lauren world.

Staged once again at the Jack Shainman Gallery downtown, the show took place against towering murals of a moody, misty forest. “I love the adventure of fashion,” Lauren said in his shownotes, describing a collection inspired by “a renegade spirit, and the confidence of the woman who will wear it in her own personal way, to tell her own story.” It was a fitting backdrop for a lineup of looks that explored the nuances of contrast, injecting a sense of whimsy into heritage codes.

The opening look—Gigi Hadid in a dark knit turtleneck, Donegal tweed corset and pencil skirt, secured with a chain-link belt—set the tone. From there, tailoring and texture pulled their weight in tandem. Floral jacquard blazers met hand-worked leather trousers; longline coats were softened with leopard-print shawls; knits sparkled with metallic embroidery. There were flashes of modern armour, too, in the form of a sheer hooded tunic that glimmered like chainmail, liquid-silver jackets with power shoulders, and eveningwear that gleamed in the light, while an earthy palette of forest greens, stone greys and rich browns grounded the fantasy.

Lana Del Rey, seated in the front row with her husband, Jeremy Dufrene, in leather and cowboy boots, embodied the collection’s mood perfectly.

With Fall/Winter 2026, Ralph Lauren emphasised the power of myth and romance when embraced boldly. There were no gimmicks or nostalgia appeals, just an enduring House doing what it does best: crafting luxury in a way that is tangible and timeless, but never stuck in time.