In recent years, Fashion Week has not just been a showcase of new collections, but also of important messages to share with the world and of new ways to create fashion. Topics of sustainability, diverse cultures and inclusive practices have surpassed trends, embedding themselves in brands’ ethos and becoming a key part of the catwalks.
There’s a growing call for organizers to push progress in the industry too. In January, the British Fashion Council announced it would adopt Copenhagen Fashion Week’s sustainability requirements for showcasing at London Fashion Week. This will be rolled out gradually, starting with its NEWGEN emerging designer platform from January 2026.
Until then, there are still plenty of brands on the schedule, kicks off in New York on September 11 before heading to London, Milan and Paris, with a values-driven approach. Here are some of the shows, presentations and events to look out for during the spring/summer 26 season.
New York Fashion Week
Sloan (September 11 9:00 ET)
Opening New York Fashion Week is a presentation from Sloan, a small-batch production label made by Mexican artisans. Its network of home workers allows women to earn income around flexible hours that support them to manage family life alongside it. The brand creates elegant, minimalist designs built on the pillars of empathy, humanness and care.
Collina Strada (September 11 18:00 ET)
One of the most anticipated NYFW shows of recent years, Collina Strada has become known not just for embedding sustainable practices such as using upcycling and innovative, low-impact materials but putting on a joyful show that engages people with climate awareness. Expect vibrant colors and textures, diverse model casting and an uplifting soundtrack.
Maria McManus (September 12 9:00 ET)
Increasingly alarmed by fashion’s impact on the environment, Maria McManus founded her own label in 2020 on the principles of use less water, utilize fewer chemicals and create less waste. Her elevated essentials are crafted with the most luxurious (and least polluting) materials.
Private Policy (September 12 11:00 ET)
Each Private Policy collection is approached like a publication, exploring a new story each issue. Past collections from the genderless brand have explored themes such as the interconnectedness of all living things on earth, racism towards Asian communities and the dark side of the pharmaceutical industry.
Melke (September 13 12:00 ET)
Melke is one of the few brands who pledges to be plastic free – including recycled plastic. A dedication to non-toxic clothing that can return to the earth safely at end of life is core to its mission alongside proving that sustainability can be fun and whimsical too.
London Fashion Week
Unhidden (September 18 17:30 BST)
Unhidden is the first adaptive brand to become a member of the British Fashion Council. It creates inclusive, stylish and socially responsible clothing for people with and without disabilities, spotlighting the disables community through its shows.
eBay Endless Runway (September 18 18:00 BST)
A celebration of fashion through pre-loved clothing, eBay returns with its Endless Runway at London Fashion Week this season. A New York edition will also take place on 10 September This season eBay has partnered with designers Erdem, Altuzarra, Kallmeyer and Ahluwalia to bring archival pieces to the show. Everything will be available to shop straight from the runway via eBay Live.
Patrick McDowell (September 20 10:00 BST)
It’s been a big year for the British brand founded on circular principles. The brand makes limited edition creations from deadstock and low-impact materials at its London studio. In May they were presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Award for British Design by the Princess of Wales and were worn by Carrie Bradshaw in the final season of And Just Like That putting the brand and Tencel on the fashion map.
Ahluwalia (September 20 14:00 BST)
Fresh from giving a keynote speech on championing circularity and culture at the World Design Congress earlier in the month, Priya Ahluwalia will present her next menswear and womenswear collection at London Fashion Week. Crafted from vintage and surplus clothing, the brand explores Ahluwalia’s duel Indian and Nigerian heritage and London roots.
Tolu Coker (September 21 14:30 BST)
Tolu Coker was named a “sustainability trailblazer” by Vogue on its January 2024 cover. The British-Nigerian designer and artist champions ethical and inclusive ways of designing and manufacturing as well as messages of social change. Often creating unisex designs from deadstock materials, all items are made in London.
Milan Fashion Week
Dhruv Kapoor (September 23 16:00 CET)
Indian designer Dhruv Kapoor challenges norms with a design philosophy of fearless self-expression and is limiting its environmental impact with 40% of the collection coming from surplus textile factory. As well as incorporating zero waste design principles, the brand continuously supports Indian craftsmanship and has worked with social change initiatives including a project with Ara Lumiere which supports acid attack victims.
Marco Rambaldi (September 26 10:30 CET)
This Italian brand stands for inclusivity, gender bending and upcycling. Hearts are a signature motif in the collections, a symbol of LGBTQIA+ rights and feminism, common themes, love for the planet through reclaiming old materials such as doilies and transforming them into something new, and love for Made in Italy.
Federico Cina (September 26 18:00 CET)
A finalist in the contemporary sustainable fashion category at the Munich Fashion Awards this year, Federico Cina stands for humanity, craftsmanship and sustainability through a love of his home region of Romagna. He uses symbols of his home region in his designs and works with artisans in the region to create them supporting local production and preserving heritage crafts.
Stella Jean (September 27 13:30 CET)
Designer Stella Novarino has repeatedly spoken out against a lack of support for diversity and inclusion at Milan Fashion Week, even refusing to showcase in 2023. Nevertheless, the Italian-Haitian designer is back bridging Italian design and artisans in developing countries including Peru, Haiti, Burkina Faso and Mali to revive endangered crafts and support global communities.
CNMI Sustainable Fashion Awards (September 27)
Now in its eighth year, the Italian fashion body will continue to celebrate the achievements of those embracing sustainability at a glittering ceremony on the Saturday evening of Milan Fashion Week. Ten awards will be given in fields including excellence in craftsmanship, climate action, circular economy, and human capital and social impact.
Paris Fashion Week
Ganni (September 30 10:00 CET)
Making its debut on the official Paris schedule, Danish brand Ganni will bring its responsible production ethos matched with Scandi cool girl vibes. A certified B Corp it has invested heavily in innovation through its Fabrics of the Future initiative bringing unusual materials to the catwalk in the past including a leather alternative made from olive tree waste and regenerated polyester made from textile waste.
Stella McCartney (September 30 20:00 CET)
The original luxury vegan brand, Stella McCartney returns to Paris for spring/summer 26. Last season, the collection used 99% conscious materials including the debut use of Yatay M, a leather alternative made from mycelium in a mock croc design. As the designer continues to invest in innovative new materials, it’s not just the aesthetic that’s worth paying attention to.
ICICLE (October 1 9:30 CET)
Since 1997, ICICLE has championed an ethos of natural fashion crafted with respect for the environment. A vertically integrated company means they have tight control over their production to produce exquisite silk, linen, cashmere, cotton and wool using slow, low-impact methods rooted in Chinese craftsmanship.
Gabriela Hearst (October 1 16:30 CET)
Carbon neutral runway shows, plastic free and a long-time supporter of Save The Children, Gabriela Hearst makes luxury and ethics go hand-in-hand. After leaving her role as creative director of Chloe two years ago, she’s back to refocusing on her own line, fusing her South American roots with a slow fashion philosophy.
Vivienne Westwood (October 4 15:30 CET)
The legacy of fashion’s infamous punk lives on through her widower Andreas Konthaler. Expect a wardrobe made for activists with organic, recycled and regenerative materials transformed into clothing with plenty of attitude.