Meet the Designers Making Their New York Fashion Week Debuts for Fall 2026 – Latest Fashion Trends & Style Tips February 10, 2026 at 06:30PM
📰 Meet the Designers Making Their New York Fashion Week Debuts for Fall 2026
✨ Fashion Insights & Trends:
The six-day fashion extravaganza that is New York Fashion Week has officially returned for the Fall 2026 season, kicking off on Feb. 11.
Marking the week's grand opening (and one of the season's most anticipated debuts), Rachel Scott will stage her first runway for Proenza Schouler. But we're also watching plenty of emerging and seasoned designers alike who will make their NYFW debuts this season, including those officially entering the CFDA's calendar for the first time.
For one, it's already a big year for Lorena Pipenco: The Romanian-British designer was recently named one of the graduate finalists of the Fashion Trust U.S. 2026 Awards, and now her namesake label is also making its official on-calendar debut as NYFW's closing show on Feb. 16. Meanwhile, Cult Gaia and 7 For All Mankind — established contemporary labels in their own right — are gearing up for their first-ever NYFW runways on Feb. 15 and Feb. 13, respectively.
Ahead, meet all the designers making their NYFW debuts for Fall 2026.
7 For All Mankind
Photo: Romain Duquesne/Courtesy of 7 For All Mankind
Los Angeles-based premium denim label 7 For All Mankind entered the industry in 2000 and quickly made a name for itself, but now it's set its sights on NYFW. Under the new creative direction of Nicola Brognano (formerly at Blumarine), 7 For All Mankind will stage its first-ever runway show on Feb. 13 at 3 p.m.
Akki
Photo: Clive Wu/Courtesy of Akki
At 8 years old, Akki Zhao moved from Osaka to Chongqing to Boston. After learning what it's like to lose a sense of home, Zhao founded her namesake label as a space for multicultural expression. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology's womenswear program and completed a year of study at Politecnico di Milano, but some of her most formative training came from studying under a master patternmaker in Guiyang, China, who introduced her to traditional Chinese dress. Akki will make its NYFW debut with a presentation on Feb. 13.
Alix of Bohemia
Photo: Courtesy of Alix of Bohemia
While studying art history in Scotland, Alix Verley Pietrafesa's fashion journey began with a spontaneous purchase of a sewing machine. Pietrafesa began constructing handmade garments inspired by the women in her family, the 1970s and the Bohemians of post-war Paris. Alix of Bohemia officially got its start in London in 2012, and now, Pietrafesa designs each collection in New York alongside her partner, Sebastian. Alix of Bohemia will make its runway debut as part of the CFDA's official schedule on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
Andrew Curwen
Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Curwen
Emerging NYC-based designer Andrew Curwen has a taste for romantic fatalism and intimate darkness. The Parsons alum previously worked at Area, Elena Velez and Jane Wade before going all-in on his eponymous label. Curwen's garments embrace sartorial dramatics, with a touch of gothic charm. Marking the label's debut on the official CFDA schedule, Andrew Curwen will present its sophomore collection "Nocturnal Conditions" on Feb. 15 at 9 p.m.
Avon Anglers
Photo: Courtesy of Avon Anglers
Menswear brand Avon Anglers was founded by Patrik Rzepski, a New York-based designer who previously ran his own namesake label for 12 years. Rzepski has worked with LVMH in a consulting capacity, alongside creative work with brands such as AWGE, DKNY, JW Anderson and Loewe. Avon Anglers makes its debut on the CFDA calendar as part of New York Men's Day on Feb. 11.
Caroline Zimbalist
Photo: Courtesy of Caroline Zimbalist
Caroline Zimbalist has been designing clothing and accessories since she graduated from Parsons, and officially founded her namesake line in 2023. Her brand intertwines fashion, craftsmanship and conceptual design. Zimbalist first began showing off-calendar during NYFW in 2024. Caroline Zimbalist will hold its CFDA calendar debut presentation on Feb. 12.
Contessa Mills
Photo: Courtesy of Contessa Mills
To find inspiration, Contessa Mills turns to a tarot deck. Each of the New York-based designer's collections are inspired by a tarot card, which weaves mysticism throughout her garments. For Fall 2026, Mills hones in on the Queen of Cups, with a focus on "emotion, fluidity and restraint." Contessa Mills' first presentation on the CFDA official calendar is set for Feb. 11.
Cult Gaia
Photo: Courtesy of Cult Gaia
While studying at FIT and interning at Narciso Rodriguez and Jason Wu, Jasmin Larian Hekmat began hand-making flower crowns for her friends, which soon turned into her own accessories brand, Cult Gaia. The label is known for sculptural pieces like its Ark Bag and statement ready-to-wear. Marking a major step for the label, Cult Gaia's first NYFW runway is set to take place on Feb. 15 at 2 p.m.
Fruity Venus
Photo: Courtesy of Fruity Venus
Noah Pica and Paul Negron founded New York-based womenswear label Fruity Venus from their Queens apartment. Fruity Venus emphasizes thoughtful, local production while creating original garments that people want to live in. Fruity Venus will stage its first presentation during NYFW on Feb. 16.
Hilá
Photo: Courtesy of Hilá
With an ethos grounded in feminine liberation, Hilá is a contemporary women's event-wear label blending "East coast edge and West Coast sensuality." Founded by Hilá Arshadnia, the label handcrafts its garments between New York and Los Angeles. Hilá will present its Fall 2026 collection as part of the CFDA's official calendar on Feb. 12.
Jasper
Photo: Courtesy of Jasper
Designer Kooshan Dunn channels his multicultural heritage into Jasper, a contemporary fashion house that aims to create timeless, yet still-new classics. The name "Jasper" nods to both the semi-precious stone and to its Persian meaning, "treasurer." Fresh off of the label's first-ever NYFW presentation last season, Jasper is now showing on the CFDA's official calendar on Feb. 12.
J. Press
Photo: Courtesy of J. Press
J. Press certainly isn't a newcomer to the fashion space — it was first founded at Yale in 1902 and pioneered "the Ivy League look." Jack Carlson, founder of American menswear brand Rowing Blazers, took the reins at J. Press in September 2025. Now, J. Press is hosting its first runway on the CFDA calendar on Feb. 16. The Fall 2026 collection will bring to life "Take Ivy," a book published in 1965 and photographed by Teruyoshi Hayashida that helped define American collegiate style.
Lettonne
Photo: Courtesy of Lettonne
Founded by DJ and designer Anita Murnieks, Lettonne is an interdisciplinary fashion studio that emphasizes material experimentation. On Feb. 12, Lettonne will stage its inaugural runway collection inspired by Kartlis Deda, the "Mother of Georgia" monument in Tbilisi, Georgia. The collection explores the juxtaposition between vulnerability and strength through structured silhouettes and protective armaments (both functional and decorative).
Mel Usine
Photo: Courtesy of Mel Usine
Stephen Biga's sophomore collection for Mel Usine marks the label's CFDA calendar debut on Feb. 13. Biga cut his teeth at Proenza Schouler, Gabriela Hearst and Rodarte before launching Mel Usine in 2024. At its core, Mel Usine aims to create a dialogue between "the historicity of dress with the codes of modern wardrobing."
Menyelek
Photo: Courtesy of Menyelek
Raised in Baltimore with Jamaican and Rastafarian roots, Menyélek Rose learned crochet from his grandmother and still employs those skills in his namesake label Menyelek, which launched in 2013. Menyelek is making its NYFW debut on Feb. 14 with its Fall 2026 collection entitled "The Victorian Daughter." Pulling from Victorian-era codes of dress, the collection spotlights "emotional restraint, familial expectation and the weight of what is inherited — both materially and emotionally."
Ossou
Photo: Guarionex Rodriguez, Jr./Courtesy of Ossou
Women's ready-to-wear brand Ossou takes its name from the Latin word for bone and grounds itself in the idea of durability. Creative directors Nina Khosla and Talia Shuvalov aim to elevate the modern wardrobe with refined denim, shirting, jackets and knits. Ossou is debuting on the CFDA calendar with its inaugural presentation on Feb. 11.
Pipenco
Photo: Courtesy of Pipenco
Romanian-British designer Lorena Pipenco was recently named one of the graduate finalists for the Fashion Trust U.S. 2026 Awards, and now she's making her official CFDA calendar debut as NYFW's closing show on Feb. 16. A Parsons School of Design graduate, Pipenco taps into the immigrant struggle of identity through her designs. Pipenco counts stars like Doja Cat, Karol G and Melanie Martinez among its celebrity clients.
Veejay Floresca
Photo: Courtesy of Veejay Floresca
In 2025, Filipina designer Veejay Floresca made history as the first-ever transgender winner of "Project Runway U.S." Floresca's debut NYFW presentation is scheduled for Feb. 16. Her design ethos is grounded in architectural silhouettes and a balance between softness and strength.
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