Lauren described the collection as inspired by a “renegade spirit” and the confidence of a woman who will wear the pieces in her own way.
Ralph Lauren presented his Fall Winter 2026 women’s collection on February 10 in New York, just ahead of the official New York Fashion Week calendar. The show followed a busy month for the 86-year-old designer, who recently returned to the Milan runway with a full menswear show combining Purple Label and Polo.
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A countryside mood in Manhattan
The show took place at the Jack Shainman Gallery in downtown Manhattan. The space was transformed with floor-to-ceiling painted forest murals and layered antique and Persian rugs. Antique-style seating lined the room, creating the feeling of an English country estate inside a city gallery.
Softness and strength combined in one look
The collection opened with Gigi Hadid in a dark turtleneck layered under a brown skirt set, cinched with a silver waist chain. From there, the lineup moved through gray-toned corset blazers, velvet dresses, tailored wool coats, tweed skirt suits, and crystal brooches.
Lauren described the collection as inspired by a “renegade spirit” and the confidence of a woman who will wear the pieces in her own way. That idea showed up in the styling. Tailored suits were belted at the waist. Chain details appeared over corseted jackets. Shawls, some oversized like throws, were pinned with vintage-style brooches. A leather bustier was paired with wool trousers and layered under a chunky cardigan. A tweed blazer added structure to a strapless beaded evening dress.
Metallic elements ran throughout the show. Silver belt chains, shimmering brooches, and jackets with a knight-like sheen gave certain looks the feeling of subtle armor. There were pieces that nodded to medieval references through chainmail-inspired textures, too. Even a plunging silk velvet evening gown with chain straps stood out requiring no additional accessories.
The color palette stayed consistent with Lauren’s codes: deep browns, forest greens, charcoal grays, black velvet, and muted metallics.
Craftsmanship and commercial confidence
The collection comes at a strong time for the company. In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, Ralph Lauren’s revenues increased 10 percent year-on-year to $2.4 billion, continuing double-digit growth from the first half of the year. The brand exceeded its own expectations, with strong full-price sales during the holiday season.
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The renewed interest in Ralph Lauren is also visible culturally. Searches for vintage Ralph Lauren pieces have surged, and many Gen Z consumers who once saw the brand as something their parents wore are now embracing it.
Founded in 1967, Ralph Lauren is one of the few American brands from that era still consistently showing up. More than 50 years in, the house has a clear design language and the recent Fall Winter 2026 focused more on refining it.
The F/W 2026 collection stayed rooted in the brand’s core elements: equestrian references, structured tailoring, tweed, wool, velvet, riding boots. This season, those pieces were styled with sharper silhouettes and stronger detailing. Metallic belt chains, crystal brooches, and subtle armor-like finishes added contrast to classic fabrics. Corset jackets were more defined. Coats were longer and more structured. Evening dresses in velvet and silk were kept clean, or with minimal accessories.
The collection showed how established design codes can be refined more, making them timeless. Just as what Ralph Lauren is known for.
Watch the full show below
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