Fashion Report: The SS26 runway trends defining the next fashion era

Fashion

With new creative directors at a number of major fashion houses, the mood for Spring/Summer 2026 feels charged with curiosity and experimentation.

Here, Emirates Woman dives into how that design shift played out on the runway.

Craft Work

Surface becomes a conversation for Spring/Summer 2026. An aesthetic austerity of tassels, embellishments, feathers, floral appliqués, and fringe ripple and bustle across multiple runways as seen at Bottega Veneta, Chanel, McQueen, to name a few, inviting movement and a desire to touch, even in a screen-heavy era.

Feminine Forms

For Spring/Summer 2026, designers lean into the corsetry and hourglass cues without overly defining and restricting it – as seen at Alexander McQueen, Khaite, Schiaparelli, Givenchy, and more.

Go Bold or Go Home

Forget quiet luxury – over-the-top looks step forward for the new season.

From exuberant prints to bold colour palettes, the runways delivered high-impact fashion that spark joy. Gucci and Valentino lead the way with a collection that reads like a character study. Elsewhere, the likes of Prada and Loewe by Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez brought a sense of optimism with a crayon box of primary hues.

Shape Shifter

This season, tailoring takes on volume and attitude with Chloé, Balenciaga, and Dior leading the force with puffball skirts, razor-sharp pleating, precise sculpting, and peplum hems, pushing into a voluminous territory that still reads polished.

Tailored to Perfection

From Givenchy to Schiaparelli, brands doubled down on tailoring – giving it a modern, feminine twist for Spring/Summer 2026. There was technical and structural experimentation, making it a conversation starter for the new season.

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Images: Supplied