From New York’s Runways to Zegna’s Results, Lessons in Honoring the Past While Building the Future
New York Fashion Week kicks off this week with Ralph Lauren returning to his private studio on Madison Avenue for an intimate presentation of his Spring 2026 collection. It feels fitting that America’s most enduring fashion storyteller opens the week, a reminder that legacy isn’t a weight but a platform. The city’s schedule remains anchored by its stalwarts—Michael Kors, Khaite, Tory Burch, Altuzarra, and Coach—while Wes Gordon takes Carolina Herrera abroad to Madrid, and Veronica Leoni at Calvin Klein faces the tall order of carving meaning for the Collection line in an era where quiet luxury is everywhere.
Meanwhile in Milan, Ermenegildo Zegna Group reported strong results for the first half of the year: net profit up 53% despite challenges at Thom Browne and slower growth at Tom Ford Fashion. The Zegna label itself held steady, lifted not only by product but also by an approach that places marketing as essential, not expendable—6.8% of revenues dedicated to telling their story, with the recent Dubai destination show as proof that risk can pay off.
And this week, the industry also bows its head at the passing of Giorgio Armani, a man who defined a generation of restraint, elegance, and modernity. Armani’s quiet discipline reshaped what men and women wear, and in his absence we’re reminded that a singular vision can change not just wardrobes but culture.
Legacy and renewal—both are in play this season. Ralph Lauren’s return, Zegna’s reinvention, Armani’s enduring impact. The best of fashion has always been about striking that balance: respecting what has been built while daring to reimagine what comes next.
As we head into another round of shows, let’s keep that lesson close. Honor the legacy, embrace the renewal, and keep moving forward—because fashion, like life, doesn’t pause.
PS: We’ll be bringing you every show, live and in real time, straight from New York’s front rows—because the best seat is always the one with the clearest view
Warm Regards,
Kenneth Richard
Chief Impressionist
