New York Chic. Tory Burch AW26

| Design & Culture by Ed

You can always rely on Tory Burch – she never disappoints and consistently makes New York Fashion Week worthwhile. Her autumn-winter 2026 collection delves deeper into the interwar period she has been exploring of late, offering stunningly effortless drop-waist flapper dresses, elegantly contrasted with a subtle garçon-esque flamboyance in more utilitarian ensembles. Enter the meaty corduroy trousers – inspired by her father’s well-worn pair – and chunky sweaters layered over crisp shirts, collars peeking out from underneath. The strong lineup of highly wearable, unpretentious pieces was enlivened with silver fish pins and pendant necklaces. Woven raffia baskets for winter? Unexpected – and undeniably cool. This is a collection for the Leandra Medines of the world: women who dress eccentrically and instinctively, with wit, intelligence, and attitude.

ED’s SELECTION:


Tory Burch Pierced Pumps



Tory Burch Colorblock Wool Skirt

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Underwhelming. Proenza Schouler AW26

| Design & Culture by Ed

Proenza Schouler officially opened New York Fashion Week with Rachel Scott’s official debut (following last season’s “dialogue” with the studio). On the positive side, the Proenza woman no longer resembles a hybrid of Philo’s Céline, the Meiers’ Jil Sander, and Lee’s Bottega Veneta, as she often did in the later years of Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough. The downside? The collection left you feeling somewhat underwhelmed. It was proper and prim – there was nothing wrong with the gray sleeveless dress featuring a sculptural roundness in the skirt, nor the neat midi-length skirt suits that followed – but it makes you wonder: will this be remembered a week from now?

This is a brand that needs to exit the stale “quiet luxury” jargon and reclaim a spark of excitement (which was actually present last season). Rachel Scott is the designer behind Diotima, a brand admired for its exquisite crochet and knitwear; I wish she were more confident about infusing that special, upbeat energy she transmits so well there. Debuts are never easy, and they don’t always land exactly as the designer intended. Scott certainly has a thing or two to reflect on.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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