Battle Of Versailles: Which Fashion Week Lands On Top?
Since 1943, New York Fashion Week has been the one most talked about fashion events in the world. Like years before, NYFW extended from September 11th to the 16th. The industry-craze commenced with Michael Kors Spring 2026 ready-to-wear collection. With fifty-six stunning looks, Kors has outdone himself yet again. Models strutted the runway in shades of black, brown, nude and baby-pink. These colors seem to be a growing trend for the upcoming spring; blending conventional autumn colors with pastels of the blooming season.
Models’ hair was styled down; their textures were either left natural or given slight beach waves. Though not every model conformed to this look, Anok Yai sported a shaved head that came as a shock to many. After years of vowing to embrace her coily hair texture, critics were amazed Yai made such a radical change to her appearance. But she wasn’t the only one making a statement. Paloma Elsesser confidently strutted the runway – being thirty-three years old, plus-sized, and only 5 foot 6 – Elsesser has broken every industry standard. Elsesser wore an all-black look, paired with open-toed heels and a fringe purse.
Tory Burch’s Spring 2026 collection also made a splash. This collection had a series of unorthodox pieces, Burch said, “I wanted the balance of precision and imperfection”. Models had matching hair; long and straight with side-part bangs reminiscent of the 2000’s. The runway was full of color, from butter yellow to bold red. Patterns were all over the place: translucent, striped, and polka-dotted. Despite Burch making such wild styling choices, each look came together beautifully. One of the most talked about in the show was Emily Ratajkowski, better known as Emrata. After a short hiatus from modeling due to a hairstylist sabotaging her with what she called “the worst haircut of my life”, she’s back. Ratajkowski wore a long white skirt paired with a beige tank-top and makeup artist, Diane Kendal, gave her a timeless face, with warm tones and bronzed cheekbones.
After a noteworthy NYFW came to a close, H&M opened London Fashion Week on September 18th. The glamorous show spared no expense, featuring multiple supermodels and having a musical performance from Lola Young. The show was held in a vast building, with seven-hundred seats. Some of the stars in attendance were rapper Central Cee and top-model Gabbriette.
Model Jacqui Hooper opened the show; a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Following behind was internet-sensation Alex Consani, making history as one of the first openly transgender women to walk the show. Despite the dazzling production, some online were quick to criticize the Head Designer & Creative Advisor Ann-Sofia Johansson, for choosing a string of nepo-babies to walk. Some of the most notable products of nepotism featured were names like Amelia Gray, Lila Moss, Romeo Beckham, Jude Law and Iris Law. Critics were disappointed in the brand for picking these faces over models who have been working in the fashion industry for years, with little to no recognition. Still, the controversy didn’t overshadow the collection.
The garments had a gothic feel, blended with street-fashion and office attire. Looks were a variety of dark colors, with pops of red. The model’s skin was kept clean though some were given smoky-eyes for a juxtaposition, lips were lined in black.
Whilst H&M shook things up, they weren’t the only ones thinking outside the box. Milan Fashion Week turned heads this year after Gucci’s unconventional showcase. Socialites attended the brand’s premiere of short-film “The Tiger” which featured names like Kendall Jenner and Demi Moore.
Models attended the film premiere wearing the brand’s Spring 2026 collection, stopping for red-carpet photos on the way. With award show season quickly approaching, we can expect stars to show off these new looks.
Next, Versace. After twenty-eight years of Donatella Versace being head of the brand, she stepped down. Dario Vitales was appointed as the new Chief Creative Officer. Vitales debuted his first collection with Versace three days after Milan Fashion Week kicked off.
The runway was filled with fresh faces, intentionally, to waver in a new era for the brand. Each dress was an anomaly compared to shows presented in the past. Vitales decided to not display the famous medusa logo on any looks and shied away from using the signature metallic colors: gold and silver. Instead, he wanted to promote a more steamy vibe – bed head, messy and loose fitting clothes, giving each look a slightly disheveled and suggestive feeling.
He wanted to make a bold statement, though this choice didn’t go over well online. Many influencers and fashion-fans were disappointed in the display, calling it a “mockery” and “a disgrace to Gianni Versace”. Some went as far as crying out for Donatella to return to her position. Even though Vitales hasn’t made a formal statement responding to the backlash, publications such as MEGA Magazine have shown their support, saying “If you get it, you get it, and Vitale gets Versace”.
In the midst of the Vitale hate-train, the final city – Paris, launched their show season. Paris Fashion Week has often held the top-spot amongst the fashion capitals. For decades, Paris has secured a reputation for being the biggest of the events, with international press coverage and priceless haute couture. But this year, the media questioned if they’d be able to keep up the momentum.
The most talked about moment of PFW was supermodel Bella Hadid’s comeback on the YSL SS26 Runway. This was the models first appearance since taking a break from the industry after a long battle with Lyme disease. Hadid has mentioned her chronic illness making life “unbearable” due to the constant pain. Still, she powered through, reminding everyone why she has been awarded “Model of the Year” a total of three times.
Hadid walked in a tangerine-yellow sculptural gown, designed by Creative Director Anthony Vaccarello. The gown had a trent-coat feel, with boxy-padded shoulders and a cinched waist. She was further adorned in large jewelry: earrings that touched her collarbone and oversized sunglasses. Like the other models, Hadid’s hair was slicked back into a bun.
Of all the ups and downs during the season, Hadid’s surprise comeback was certainly an unforgettable moment – but at last, the shows came to an end. So, after twenty-six days of makeup, model breakdowns and couture collections – which fashion week reigns supreme? With luxury houses Gucci and Versace displaying some of their best shows in years, Milan Fashion Week took the crown. Versace’s show was one of the most viewed from the Spring-Summer 2026 collections and Gucci’s runway-movie premiere, went viral on every major platform.
After another strong Fashion Week season, critics can’t wait to see if Milan continues their reign. Will Paris come back to take their crown? Or will another city swoop in and shock everyone? We’ll have to wait and see..
