Ralph Lauren and Public School Shine at New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2026

On February 10, 2026, Ralph Lauren unveiled his Fall/Winter 2026 collection at the Clock Tower Building in Manhattan, showcasing a blend of rugged romance and modern metallics. The show featured a transformed gallery space adorned with hand-painted pastoral scenes and antique rugs, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of the English countryside. Supermodel Gigi Hadid opened the show in a wool corseted top and column maxi skirt, setting the tone for a collection that emphasized a dialogue between softness and strength. The collection included chainmail elements, tweed jackets, and leather gloves, reflecting Lauren's long-standing aesthetic while incorporating contemporary details.

Winter 2026: Heritage in Motion – Oui Speak Fashion (OSF)®

At 86, Ralph Lauren continues to demonstrate creative momentum, recently returning to the Milan Men’s Fashion Week calendar and designing Team USA's uniforms for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The collection highlighted over 50 custom-developed fabrics, focusing on craftsmanship and wearability rather than fleeting trends. Lauren's approach reinforces his belief that heritage is an evolving narrative, bridging the past with modern interpretations.

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)

Public School, the design duo of Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne, made a notable return to New York Fashion Week after a seven-year hiatus, presenting a menswear collection that resonated with the current fashion landscape. The show, held in a Chelsea warehouse, featured 32 looks that blended classic staples with innovative designs. The collection included a Canadian tuxedo, wool blazers, and versatile outerwear, emphasizing a straightforward color palette of blacks, grays, and blues.

Harper's Bazaar

Chow and Osborne's return comes at a critical time for menswear, which has struggled to find its footing in the fashion week calendars. Their collection offered a realistic proposition for how the modern New York man can dress, contrasting with the more established brands like Ralph Lauren that often dominate the scene.

Harper's Bazaar

While Ralph Lauren's collection was praised for its craftsmanship and timelessness, some critics noted that many designs seemed reminiscent of past collections, raising questions about the brand's ability to innovate. This sentiment reflects a broader concern within the fashion industry, where the rapid pace of change often leaves established brands appearing out of touch.

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)

Public School's return was met with enthusiasm, yet it also highlighted the challenges of maintaining relevance in a fast-moving industry. The duo's absence from the runway for several years underscores the pressures designers face in balancing creativity with the demands of the fashion calendar.

Harper's Bazaar

Ralph Lauren described his muse for the collection as embodying a "renegade spirit," emphasizing confidence and personal expression in fashion. He stated, “I love the adventure of fashion,” indicating a desire to inspire wearers to tell their own stories through clothing. Meanwhile, Public School's Chow and Osborne articulated their need to step back from the industry’s frantic pace, suggesting that their return was a response to a renewed sense of purpose.

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)

As New York Fashion Week progresses, the focus will remain on how brands like Ralph Lauren and Public School navigate the evolving landscape of fashion. Upcoming shows will continue to explore themes of sustainability, wearability, and personal expression, reflecting the diverse needs of contemporary consumers. The ongoing dialogue between heritage and innovation will likely shape the future of fashion in the coming seasons.

RTE (Radio Television of Ireland)