NYFW SS26: Emerging Designers Redefining the Future of Fashion
NYFW is approaching. Here are the emerging designers making their mark on fashion’s future.
📍By Yongwen Yuan | Estimated Read: 10 Minutes
Introduction:
From Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen’s sculptural, avant-garde tailoring to LeBlanc Studios' celebration of Latin American culture and Vettese’s homage to her Italian roots, the past Fall 2025 New York Fashion Week showcased not just evolving aesthetics, but deeper values shaping the industry. These designers pushed beyond style to address sustainability, cultural diversity, and individual expression, proving that NYFW has long been a stage for creative visions and breakthrough design talent.
(Left to Right: 2025 Fall NYFW Emerging Designers Highlight, Vettese, LeBlanc Studios, Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen RTW; Image Source: Wmagazine, Phi Vũ, Vogue Runway)
This year is no exception. Closr is proud to present the complete NYFW schedule along with our curated list of designers to watch, those pushing innovation, storytelling, and purpose-driven style forward.
(Official NYFW Runway Week 1 Schedule with Designers to watch; Source: Council of Fashion Designers of America)
(Official NYFW Runway Week 2 Schedule with Designers to watch; Source: Council of Fashion Designers of America)
(Official NYFW Presentation Schedule with Designers to watch; Source: Council of Fashion Designers of America)
ZIMO
(Designer Zimo Yan, Image Source: hypebae)
Founded by Zimo Yan, ZIMO sits at the intersection of art and urban culture, known for its ability to transform conceptual ideas into wearable statements. The brand explores contrasts: masculine and feminine, structure and fluidity, while embracing innovative fabric treatments and bold, sculptural silhouettes. Each collection reflects Yan’s unique perspective, merging traditional Chinese influences with a distinctly New York edge.
(ZIMO FW2025 Mirrored Mirage, Image Source: ZIMO Official Page)
ZIMO's designs often challenge gender conventions and celebrate individuality, creating pieces that function as both fashion and personal expression. This season, the brand will host a by-appointment presentation on September 16th, offering an intimate look at its latest collection and vision for the future.
(ZIMO FW2025 Mirrored Mirage, Image Source: ZIMO Official Page)
RÙADH
(Designer Jac Cameron in studio, Brand Concept Image; Image Source: Monocle, @margoducharme)
Taking its name from the Scottish Gaelic word for “red,” RUÀDH draws inspiration from historic notions of strength and beauty, reinterpreted through a lens of quiet resilience and subversive femininity. Founded by Jac Cameron, a Scotland native who relocated to New York, the brand is deeply rooted in artisanal craftsmanship and ecological balance.
(Spring Summer 2025 Collection; Source: RUÀDH Main Page)
RUÀDH’s collections focus on enduring materials, organic silhouettes, and impeccable detailing, often inspired by natural formations and sustained by regenerative cultivation practices. Each piece is sensory and instinctual yet fiercely pragmatic, capturing a minimalist aesthetic that prioritizes both sustainability and timeless design. This season, RUÀDH will host a by-appointment presentation on September 12th, offering an intimate look at its nature-inspired and purpose-driven designs.
(Spring 2025 Collection; Source: RUÀDH Main Page)
Jane Wade
(Designer Jane Wade in Studio; Image Source: Hypebae)
Jane Wade has built a reputation as a designer unafraid to challenge traditional dress codes, merging utilitarian influences with refined tailoring. Her collections often play with exaggerated proportions, elongated coats, cropped jackets, and modular layers, crafted to be reconfigured or worn across multiple settings.
(Jane Wade SS/25 the Audit; Image Source: Jane Wade Official)
Neutral palettes are punctuated by bold color blocks or unexpected textures, creating visual tension while maintaining a minimalist core. Her work views garments not just as clothing but as tools: multifunctional pieces that adapt to diverse lifestyles, bridging the gap between workwear and high fashion.
(Left to Right: Fall 2025 featuring Lisa Rinna, Fall/24 Out of Office Icebag, Fall/25 the Merger; Image Source: Jane Wade Official)
This bold perspective will take the stage at NYFW on September 14th at 9 PM, where Jane Wade is set to present her latest collection on the runway.
Zankov
(Designer Henry Zenkov in Own Design; Image Source: Wmagazine)
Zankov, founded by Henry Zankov, is defined by its rich interplay of color, texture, and movement. Known for its bold knitwear and painterly approach to garment construction, the brand celebrates vibrant palettes and unexpected pattern mixing, often juxtaposing saturated tones with soft neutrals for a dynamic visual rhythm. The silhouettes embrace a sense of ease while still maintaining strong architectural lines, giving each piece both comfort and presence. Zankov’s work often transforms traditional knitwear into statement pieces, emphasizing both craftsmanship and emotional resonance.
(Zankov 2025 Fall Winter "I Can't Help Myself"; Image Source: Zankov Official Page)
This distinctive aesthetic will be showcased at NYFW on September 15th at 12 PM, where Zankov will present its latest collection on the runway. Expect a range of visually striking knits and expressive layering pieces designed to embody movement, individuality, and a playful approach to contemporary fashion.
(Troye Sivan in Zankov; Image Source: Zankov Official Page)
At Closr, we believe fashion becomes culture when it’s created with intention. As the industry evolves, we’re spotlighting the designers who are rewriting its rules and championing identity, sustainability, and storytelling through every stitch. Explore our Closr Cause collection as we continue to follow and celebrate emerging designers at NYFW.
Meet the emerging voices shaping what’s next in fashion with Closr, one purpose-led collection at a time. Discover more at shopclosr.com.