Between New York and London: How Fashion Capitals Defined the New Season

Sep 24, 2025

Every season, fashion weeks around the world rewrite the language of style and open new windows onto the future. This month, the spotlight turned to New York Fashion Week, followed by London Fashion Week, two events different in spirit but united in essence, blending artistic vision with bold experimentation, and striking a balance between nostalgia for the classics and a fearless leap into the future.

September 2025 was more than just another entry on the global fashion calendar, it became an inspiring journey between New York and London, where creativity met courage, and tradition merged seamlessly with innovation.

New York Elegance in the Heart of a Restless City:

In New York, the city that never sleeps, the shows held from September 11 to 16, 2025, reflected the city's vibrant and multifaceted character. Michael Kors presented a refined collection that balanced simplicity with luxury, embodying a kind of effortless femininity perfectly attuned to modern urban life. Tom Ford, by contrast, leaned into provocation, playing with tension between opulent fabrics and rebellious cuts, a reminder that New York remains the stage where elegance constantly pushes its limits. Proenza Schouler brought forward a distinctly modern vision with geometric lines and metallic fabrics that radiated power, while Tory Burch found the sweet spot between boldness and ease, offering designs that felt both wearable and futuristic.

One of the most striking elements was the dominance of red, seen in dramatic gowns and daring silhouettes, that conveyed power and confidence. Beauty trends walked hand in hand with fashion, classic brown eyes and bold red lips emerged as defining statements of the season, emphasizing the dialogue between clothing and makeup.

Ralph Lauren SS2026

London Where Classicism Meets Modernity:

London followed soon after, bringing its untamable spirit from September 18 to 22, 2025, under the organization of the British Fashion Council (BFC). What sets London apart is its closeness to the audience. Beyond the elite runways, pop up shops and interactive experiences gave visitors the chance to engage with fashion in a personal and tangible way. London doesn't just showcase dreams, it invites its audience to co-create them.

At Burberry, we saw how the house reinterpreted its iconic trench coat, anchoring its heritage while propelling it into modernity through unexpected colors and surprising details. The week closed with this iconic show, attended by a constellation of global stars. Simone Rocha, on the other hand, delivered pure poetry, diaphanous fabrics intertwined with delicate embellishments in a collection that felt like a dreamlike visual canvas. JW Anderson shook things up with an unapologetically experimental collection, blurring the line between eccentricity and genius, asking questions rather than giving answers.

One of the most memorable moments came when Naomi Campbell opened a runway show, a reminder that fashion icons never lose their shine, no matter how time passes.

Naomi Campbell Burberry spring 2026 show

Key Trends for Spring/Summer 2026

Looking beyond the names and the spectacle, this season outlined a clear map of upcoming trends:

Colors: Alongside the dominance of red, soft pastels like sky blue and dusty pink offered a delicate counterbalance.

Fabrics: Sheer, airy textiles like organza and chiffon were everywhere, paired with eco conscious fabrics such as organic cotton and recycled silk.

Silhouettes: Asymmetry took center stage, from one shoulder cuts to layered looks that created dynamic movement.

Accessories: Tiny mini-bags and oversized hats made a strong comeback, while bold, statement jewelry commanded attention.

Footwear: Metallic-detailed flat sandals and sculptural heels defined the season in both New York and London.

Beauty: Alongside daring makeup, the return of natural, textured curls highlighted a global embrace of individuality and identity.

Between New York and London, one truth was undeniable, fashion today is no longer just seasonal clothing, it is a global language tackling issues of sustainability, championing emerging designers, and drawing audiences into the heart of the experience.

In my view, what made this season special was the harmony between heritage houses and rising talents, between classicism and experimentation, and between fashion and beauty as an integrated ecosystem. Fashion, more than ever, reflected culture, identity, and global narratives.

Personally, what struck me most in New York was the designers daring to redefine modern elegance, while in London, it was the subtle details that transformed garments into living works of art. Across both capitals, I felt that fashion had transcended its role as an industry of clothing, it had become a cultural and artistic discourse, telling the stories of cities and opening new horizons for self expression.

As the fashion world looks ahead to Milan and Paris, the echoes of New York and London remain vivid reminders that fashion is not only what we wear, it is what we live, dream, and carry as part of our identity.

Bader Al-Kulaib

Sheikh Fahad Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah

Dr. Noura Almashan

Dr. Munira Al-Arouj

Nour Abdul

Eisa Alhabib

Deema Al-Ghunaim

Lama AlOraiman

Sheikha Dana Nasser Al Sabah

Nadia Bader Al-Hajji

Henadi Al-Saleh

Jafar Islah

Abdullah Ghazi Al-Mudhaf

Abeer Al Awadhi

Shahad Alsabeeh

Talal Al Ajmi

Faisal Alagel

Bader Nasser Al-Kharafi

Shaikha Al Majed

Farah Almutawa

Donna Sultan

Dana Al-Mutawa and Sheikha Sharifa Al Sabah

Laila Almutairi

Adel Alwasis

Hashim and Amna Naseeb

Dr. Abdullah Al Sumait

Shaikha Al-Hajeri

Shaima Hassan

Sheikha Bibi Al-Yousef Al-Sabah

Free Jabriya

Lulowa Al-Mulla

Salman Al-Kandari

Al-Jawhara-Al-Mahdi

Mohamed-El-Hemaly

Hussain Bumejdad

Soaad Al-Faqaan

Maryam Alrefaei

Abdulmohsen AlMarzouq‏

Dr. Faisal Al-Roomi

Noor Al-Nafisi

Shaymaa Al-Terkait

Khalid Muthafar

Dalal AlHajeri

Mahmoud Dawood Al Marzouq

Fahad Al Ghanim

Abdullah Behbehani

Sara Al-kattan

Dr. Manal Aldaihani

Ali Khajah

Raheel Al Roudhan