From Runway to Reality: Sharon Graubard Breaks Down FW26

As the excitement of Fashion Week fades, the Fall/Winter 2026 scene is coming into focus, revealing nuanced shifts in color, texture, and silhouettes. This season invites brands and designers to approach their collections with intention, balancing creativity with purpose, and translating the runway’s inspiration into pieces that resonate with today’s consumer.

To give readers a deeper perspective, we spoke with Sharon Graubard, founder of SG Files, a leading trend forecaster whose expertise helps brands translate runway signals into actionable insights.

Q&A with Sharon Graubard

1. From what you’ve seen during Fashion Week, what stood out most about the Fall/Winter 2026 season?

A: The use of craft has moved from the hippie handicraft look to very sophisticated, sculptural items that emphasize materiality and technique. Think of Mathieu Blazy’s work at Bottega Veneta, with dimensional “yarn furs” and artisanal knits. For the past several seasons I’ve been talking about the influence of true workwear (as in utility clothing and uniforms as opposed to “career wear”), and those inspirations are having a moment, with elevated chore jackets, dense knits and sturdy skirts and trousers coming from Prada and Miu Miu, Jil Sander, and many other collections. I also feel for all the long and languid looks at Chloe, which offers a new, sensual, body-skimming silhouette.

Q: Which color stories do you feel will be most influential moving forward?

A: Camels, winter whites and other neutrals are key, especially in minimalist styles that are given dimension with artisanal touches. Classic autumnal colors like olives, browns and oranges look right, sometimes accented with aqua or purple. The most forward combos are the mix of purples and browns, which I saw at Miu Miu, Acne, Chloe, Ulla Johnson and others.

Q: Were there any surprising fabric or texture directions that brands should be paying attention to?

A: I love all the fake furs and pile fabrics. Some of the faux furs look like they come from animals, but others are almost plant-like, in natural whites to beige tones. I’m also seeing sheer knits and crushed satins. All kinds of velvets are coming back. And plush corduroy, especially at Anna Sui. Rich brocades and fabrics with a bit of sparkle add luxe appeal to everyday pieces.

Q: Patterns always evolve, what prints or motifs do you think will resonate with FW26

consumers?

A: Plaids of all kinds are key, often worn mixed together. Yarn-dyed striped shirting makes a big comeback and goes into Spring 27.

As for prints, winter florals, especially the rose motifs as at Erdem and Antionio Marras. I’m also seeing big placed motifs, like birds at Marni, florals at Altuzarra and Givenchy, cat portraits at Valentino or Man Ray art images at Sacai.

Animal is always there, but leopard works particularly well next season. A faux leopard coat works whether worn over jeans for an eclectic boho look or thrown over a black ensemble for chic glamour.

 

Q: How do you see the balance between timeless essentials and trend-driven pieces shaping up this season?

A: Timeless essentials are more important than ever. I call them “killer basics” rather than the old term “dumb basics”, which was what they were called when I started in the fashion industry. Rather than generic, a killer basic should be the best-fitting, highest quality item one can afford, because these are the wardrobe workhorses. I’m referring to the perfect black pants, the perfect white shirt, the perfect jeans, the perfect trench coat or pea jacket. But every customer’s killer basic is slightly different; it helps to know one’s own style.

And because a major function of fashion is to express personal style, one needs those special pieces. I call them “collectibles” as opposed to classics. It might be a luxe Victorian jacket or an asymmetric skirt or a beaded and embroidered item. It might be a vintage piece or a one-of-kind look bought from a local designer. Keeping things a long time, repairing and upcycling are essential if we are to reduce the impact of cast-off clothing. But that said, a bit of novelty might even come from a fast-fashion style that speaks to the moment. These are the items that offer individuality and refresh the seasonal look.

Q: Beyond the runway, what cultural or lifestyle influences do you see shaping consumer preferences for FW26?

A: In this culturally fraught moment, people are looking for clothes that offer comfort, that give confidence, and that they can wear again and again. With dry cleaning costs up and with more awareness of the eco-impact of chemicals, consumers look for clothing that is easy-care, washable, and versatile. There is more emphasis on identity and expression, spurring the desire for statement pieces, especially in

 accessories, that give a look personality. There is always that tension between standing out and disappearing, with some people preferring a look-at-me approach and others making a quiet impression.

I called the F26 season “The Human Touch” because there is so much inhumanity in the world right now, and we need things that give joy, that connect us and heal us. Fashion is still made by hand, and clothing is a connector between the wearer and all of those that planted and harvested the fibers, spun the yarn, woven the fabrics, made the patterns, sewed the garments and on and on. The designers and brands that appeal to us go beyond the garment and include the values of company and the way the brand creates or resonates with a particular community.

The consumer is becoming more aware of the ethics behind fashion, whether environmental, political or social. But beyond that, the way we dress is communication with others. I always say we dress the unconscious, and clothes are a way of bringing that inner self forward, and of sharing who we are with others.

Q: If you could give one piece of advice to brands designing collections for FW26, what would it be?

A: Start with the fabric. See what speaks to you. Is it cozy brushed cottons, or new tech activewear blends, or silky jerseys. Touch it, stretch it, crush it. See what the fabric wants to do. I always say fabric and color are the paint and clay of fashion. We are in a moment when everything is “in”, it’s about context and design and knowing your customer, and, most importantly, tapping into your own brand DNA.

Clothing is usually an emotional purchase, a want rather than a need, but practicality still plays a big part. Clothes need to function both aesthetically and realistically. Think about both aspects, make things that are authentic as possible, both in material and conception. Think about craft, about the little touches that add personality: a reinforcing bar-tack, a thoughtful pleat, a pocket that is deeper than average. The emotional resonance is in the details, the fit, the feeling — all the things that make an article of clothing into an object of desire.

The Season in Perspective
The Fall/Winter 2026 season invites us to slow down and feel. It’s a moment for us to reconnect with the textures, tones, and emotions woven into what we wear. As Sharon Graubard shared, this is a time when craftsmanship takes center stage, and individuality speaks softly through thoughtful details. From the quiet luxury of velvets and winter whites to the sculptural knits and expressive prints that stir nostalgia and novelty alike, fashion is once again reminding us of its humanity. In an age of noise, these collections whisper something timeless: beauty is not only seen, but felt in the touch of fabric, the weight of craft, and the stories stitched into every seam.

If you’re feeling inspired by Sharon’s insights, you can explore even more of her perspective with 40% off any individual F26 Trend and Color Forecasting file using the code STARS40. Whether you’re treating yourself or looking for a meaningful holiday gift for the fashion lover in your life, each file offers a beautifully curated look into the season ahead — something special to learn from, savor, and share.

Link to F26 Trend and Color Forecasting:

https://www.thesgfiles.com/store