SS26 trends at COTERIE set a new bar for contemporary and advanced contemporary style.
FASHIONING A WORLD
OF IMAGINATION
The latest SS26 trends are redefining women's fashion with elevated fabrics, sophisticated silhouettes designed for layering, rich craftsmanship, and an inspiring palette of hues. These key aesthetics align perfectly with the four trend concepts featured in Fashion By Informa's SS26 Women's Advanced Contemporary and Contemporary Buyer's Guides: Elemental Flow, Future Classics, Avant Craft, and Vibrant Escape.
For this editorial, renowned NYC fashion stylist Dione Davis brought her fashion prowess and imaginative vision to curate striking looks that embody these seasonal trends. All featured products were exclusively sourced and styled by Davis from exhibiting brands at the September 2025 edition of COTERIE, showcasing how these trend forecasts translate into real, wearable pieces available in the marketplace.
Take a journey into fresh iterations of familiar fashion favorites—and discover some of the season's dreamiest escapism through the lens of COTERIE's expert trend curation and Davis's distinctive styling perspective.
ELEMENTAL FLOW
Davis’ interpretations of Future Classics center on classics with a twist; she even layered three trenches in a single look for a brilliant effect. “Say you pack three trenches: one black, one classic, and then you have a mini trench,” says Davis. “You can wear all three and now it looks like a cool, avant-garde evening dress.” In another striking example of Future Classics, Davis styled a Mina Binebine vest and top with a Fozia Endrias skirt to bring a garçon look with a feminine touch to a workwear aesthetic. “I really like Romanticism when it comes to classic shirting,” says Davis. “The menswear vest can be transformed into a three-piece suit layer if you want, but also when it’s paired with the skirt, I think it’s such an elegant look. We’re getting back to a level of modern elegance, and this really brings it home.”
Trench Coats and Romper by Mmam
FUTURE CLASSICS
Future Classics is a fresh yet timeless take on classic, coastal summer style. It’s an elegant aesthetic marked by smart patterns and prints, simple silhouettes, and a heritage feel. For example, “People are really leaning into shirting again,” says Davis. “I think that’s a really lovely hero piece to add to what you already have in terms of the tailoring in your wardrobe.”
The trend also applies to footwear and accessories. “I really look to the emerging designers to show me a reimagined version of the pump,” explains Davis. “So when I saw the All Black kitten heel shoe on the COTERIE show floor, I thought it was exactly what I love but also a bridge between Avant Craft, Future Classics, and Vibrant Escape because it has the elements of craft, handmade, and detail, but it’s also a classic pump you can wear with a simple outfit and it will look so dynamic.”
“Resort/Destination footwear has to be versatile,” says Marty Rose, agent and distributor at All Black by ACL Footwear Co. “Women want a shoe style that can take them from casual to dressy and be comfortable enough to wear all day, if necessary.” Sophiko Mukhulishvili, co-founder and creative director of Cosmo, echoes the need for versatility: “Today’s consumers seek authenticity, versatility, and emotional connection. They want accessories that transition seamlessly from city life to resort settings while carrying cultural meaning and refined craftsmanship.”
Shop a global curation of brands and trends across contemporary and advanced contemporary womenswear at the next edition of coterie: February 24-26, 2026
Studio Production Credits:
Producer: Gauge Theory Creative Photographers: carlos & ALYSE
Stylist: dione davis; Assistant Stylist: coniese banton Photo Assistant: teague shoup; Hair & Makeup: morningstar jackson
Content Manager: elise cucchiarelli; Coordinator: quinn francis
Model: hody yim, One management
AVANT CRAFT
Avant Craft’s SS26 textural experiments are of the elegant, elevated, and wearable variety—a theme Davis enjoys bringing to life. “For the double-layered dresses,
I was thinking about vacation packing and what it looks like for the modern woman—sometimes it’s not one dress, it’s two that you need,” she says. The stylist considered what bold, dynamic silhouettes would work for day-to-day beach events with flip-flops and a bikini but would work just as brilliantly at night. And while editorials tend to hone in on the fantasy side of fashion, Davis grounds her imagination in principles of wearability. For example, she styled a BTB Los Angeles bag with dresses by Studio Namnyak and 2113 TV, explaining, “The yarn detail on the fringe and the bag have a beautiful contrast that still feels quiet enough to be digested by the average woman.” Regarding the same look, Namnyak Odupoy, founder and creative director of Studio Namnyak, had this to say: “The fringed dress from our SS26 collection is a celebration of the movement of bodies, of journeys, and of stories carried across borders. Its fluid silhouette and tactile fringe evoke the rhythm of travel and the quiet strength of women in motion. It’s a piece designed to sway with intention, capturing the essence of resortwear: expressive, effortless, and
deeply personal.”
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Bikini by jade swim; Shorts by lAmarque; Coverup by muche et muchette; Bag by el bags-tsantilis
Leather Skirt (styled as a top) by emelda leather; Fringe Skirt and Romper (styled as a top) by saylor
Published October 2025
Pictured Left: Underlayer Dress by studio namnyak; Bag by btb los angeles; Pictured Right: Bags by zanatany concepts
Elemental Flow is described as a dreamy and ethereal palette of lightweight layers, painterly pops of colors, interesting draping, and volume play—the perfect trend to witness a top stylist bring to life. In one look, Davis styled a slipdress and sash over pants that created a liquid-like, lightweight effect. “I call this advanced evening. I love a dress over pants; it creates layers. We all have and love slipdresses but it doesn’t feel like a moment until it feels styled. So, I wanted to play with these really rich saturations in color paired together because I think it’s also a new way to show people how to dress for weddings,” Davis explains. The look’s slipdress and sash are by exhibiting brand, Jacoba Jane. Jacoba Gibson, the brand’s founder and creative director, says, “The orange/golden dress with sash was drawn from the warmth of late summer evenings, when the sun is low and everything is bathed in golden light. It’s a color story that feels both joyful and dramatic, a celebration of silk’s ability to glow against the skin.” The sheer pink pants are by LAMARQUE. “I loved exploring the sheer trend through this fabric—the fluidity, lightness, and dimension that this material gives to these pieces makes them so elevated and modern,” says the brand’s design director, Ifigenia Hill.
Described as “a refined take on warm-weather dressing” in Fashion by Informa’s Women’s Contemporary Buyer's Guide, Vibrant Escape features incredible palettes of rich colors, polished mix-and-match ensembles, lush prints, and softly tailored silhouettes. “Today’s resortwear customer is seeking pieces that feel sexy yet elegant—designs that turn heads while remaining refined. Fabric quality is extremely important, as is affordability. Our clients want clothing that feels luxurious and well-made without being unattainable, allowing them to invest in pieces that will travel with them from the beach to dinner, season after season,” says Bindefeld. The owner of Jade Swim, Brittany Kozerski Freeney, has noticed a similar trend among shoppers. “They want versatility and confidence. Today’s shopper is investing in fewer, better pieces that multi-task like swimwear that feels polished enough for poolside but can slip under linen pants or a wrap skirt
for cocktails,” she explains. “Fit and function matter more than ever: support and fabrics that hold up to salt, sun, and travel. And there’s a growing desire for elevated simplicity; consumers want a refined, minimal aesthetic that can take them from the beach and beyond.”
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Babydoll Dress by jacoba jane; Bodysuit with Scarf and Pants by shan; Tube Top by lamarque
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VIBRANT ESCAPE
“For Avant Craft, I always think of things that are made by hand,” says Davis. “And for the woven bags, I like the idea of nesting bags because I know when I’m moving around the city I have my giant bag I can put my laptop in and then when I get home, I can just keep my essentials in the small one and drop off my laptop; that can apply to the beach as well.” In “Fashioning a World of Imagination”, she styled two Zanatany Concepts bags that she found at COTERIE to illustrate the concept. The brand’s founder and creative director Nashwa Hassanaly says, “Each piece is handcrafted in Madagascar by women local artisans using ancestral techniques passed down through generations. The raffia, sourced sustainably from native palms, is dyed and woven by hand, giving every bag its unique character. The textured red bag, for example, required intricate weaving and finishing to achieve its depth and vibrancy, while the belt bag highlights precision in shaping and stitching to balance durability with elegance. Our craftsmanship is about more than design—it’s about preserving artisanal heritage and bringing it to a global stage.”
A textural black coverup by Muche et Muchette appears in another Avant Craft look. “I have a deep appreciation for artisanal techniques,” says Muriel Bindefeld, designer and owner of Muche et Muchette. “Our most delicate, intricate styles—especially those with hand-worked lace and crochet—are produced in India, where artisans bring generations of craftsmanship to each garment. Other parts of our collection are produced with trusted partners in China, where we are able to achieve high-quality finishes that complement our vision. This balance allows us to honor artisanal traditions while maintaining the versatility and accessibility our
customers love.”
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The brands that exhibited at COTERIE for SS26 truly made an impact. Not only did they offer highly impactful representations of four of the top trends of the season but the caliber of their designs and the quality of their productions even left a lasting impact on Davis, a seasoned industry professional. “It was really nice seeing all of these emerging brands. It was inspiring. Everyone had an amazing story. It made me feel good about the future of fashion. These are deeply intelligent people who are thoughtful and it made me very hopeful for the future of advanced contemporary and contemporary fashion.”
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“For me, timelessness comes from two things, respect for tradition and respect for design,” says Mina Binebine, founder and creative director of her namesake label. “I’m always inspired by artisanal Moroccan techniques, embroidery, hand-woven fabrics, and intricate beading, but I interpret them with a clean, contemporary silhouette. It’s about creating pieces you can wear today, in ten years, or pass them on, and they’ll still feel relevant.” Fozia Hussen, creative director at Fozia Endrias, also marries tradition with contemporary design. “Having the skilled weavers allowed us to create our own textiles and textile designs made in the country. Each piece reflects a deep respect for nature and culture, crafted through sustainable practices such as natural dyeing, recycling, and slow production. By celebrating Ethiopia’s rich textile heritage and promoting mindful consumption, Fozia Endrias strives to redefine modern fashion with integrity, beauty, and purpose,” she explains.
Shirt and Vest by Mina binebine; Skirt by FOZIA ENDRIAS
Kitten Heel by all black
Skirt by muche et muchette; Shoes by tkees
Striped and Blue Blouses by ravellA; Vest and Skirt by FLENO; Bag by COSMO; Hair Clip by ANNA PRATA INTERNATIONAL
Full Look by MmAM; Jewelry by ANNA PRATA INTERNATIONAL
Dress and Sash by jacoba jane; Pants by lamarque; Cuff by anna prata international
Leather Skirt and Leather Skirt (styled as a top) by studio hope; Trench, Blouse, and Pants by lamarque; Necklace by anna prata international
SS26 FOOTWEAR BUYER'S GUIDE
Discover key footwear trends, products, and brands to shop at COTERIE in our exclusive SS26 Footwear Buyer's Guide.
READ NOW
SS26 WOMEN'S ADVANCED CONTEMPORARY
BUYER'S GUIDE
Discover key women's advanced contemporary trends, products, and brands to shop at COTERIE in our exclusive SS26 Buyer's Guide.
READ NOW
SS26 WOMEN'S CONTEMPORARY BUYER'S GUIDE
Discover key women's contemporary trends, products, and brands to shop at COTERIE in our exclusive SS26 Buyer's Guide.
READ NOW
For another Elemental Flow look, Davis styled a babydoll dress over two tops and pants, finishing the look with a pair of fringed shoes, all sourced from the show floor. “I wanted to show that these brands that make elegant, draped pieces don’t have to be simple. They can be avant-garde, and they can be worn again and again....” Gibson adds, “The white babydoll was inspired by a sense of purity and nostalgia. I wanted to capture the lightness and ease of youth, but in a refined silhouette that feels elevated.”
Davis favors pieces that “give you a lot of mileage in your wardrobe.” Sinae Kim, CEO of Studio Hope, agrees. “The key to layering for SS26 is bottoms,” she says. “Right now, layering on top of skirts and pants is a huge trend that’s moved into SS26. People are having a lot of fun with lace, satin, scarves, and even suiting material. Since the interest and volume is focused on the bottom half, we highly recommend keeping the tops simple when trying to wear this trend,” she explains.
Davis enjoys the idea of incorporating corsetry to bridge the worlds of beach resortwear and resort looks in the city. “I like the juxtaposition of having something that has a lot of movement with something that’s relatively structured and pared back… escapism in the city.” In one example, she styled an Emelda Leather skirt as a top for an unforgettable aesthetic. “This design was born from a desire to celebrate adaptability and strength. It reflects our belief that leather garments should move with the body and offer freedom in styling like our own skin,” explains Munevver Hovarda, head of design at Emelda Leather. “The piece was crafted to echo the textures found in nature—layered stone, sunset at the seashore, ivy and shifting earth—translating these organic forms into wearable structure.”
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Interested in showcasing your latest collection to an audience of highly engaged fashion buyers, influential industry professionals, and press at an upcoming event?
Future Classics is a fresh yet timeless take on classic, coastal summer style. It’s an elegant aesthetic marked by smart patterns and prints, simple silhouettes, and a heritage feel.
For example, “People are really leaning into shirting again,” says Davis. “I think that’s a really lovely hero piece to add to what you already have in terms of the tailoring in your wardrobe.”
The trend also applies to footwear and accessories. “I really look to the emerging designers
to show me a reimagined version of the pump,” explains Davis. “So when I saw the All Black kitten heel shoe on the COTERIE show floor, I thought it was exactly what I love but also a bridge between Avant Craft, Future Classics, and Vibrant Escape because it has the elements
of craft, handmade, and detail, but it’s also a classic pump you can wear with a simple outfit and it will look so dynamic.”
