What to Expect at NYFW 2026: Runway, Street Style & Backstage Beauty Trends

From the runway to the sidewalks and backstage, NYFW 2026 is setting the tone for what’s next in fashion and beauty. Get the inside scoop on the season’s biggest trends in nails, hair, street style and more, plus a look at what our own Neroli team will be creating backstage in New York.

It’s that time of year again. The lights, the runways, the buzz.

New York Fashion Week returns September 10–15, 2026, opening with Diane von Furstenberg and closing with Thom Browne. At Neroli Salon & Spa, Fashion Week holds a special place in our hearts, and this year we’re giving you the ultimate insider preview. We’re taking you inside the trends hitting the runway, the street style turning heads outside the tents, and the nail and hair artistry happening backstage, created in part by our very own team.

This season, four members of the Neroli family are heading to NYFW. Emily, one of our nail artists, is a returning NYFW veteran making her way back for another season. This time, she’ll be creating manicures for designers including Fang, Jane Wade, Campillo and more.

Joining her backstage are three of our hair stylists. Elise, who works out of our Downtown and North Shore locations, is attending NYFW for the second time. Kaya and Sally, both from our East Side location, will be making their NYFW debuts on hair teams behind the scenes. We can’t wait to bring you along for the experience.

So, what can you expect from the September 2026 NYFW shows?

Let’s dive in.

1. Runway Trends to Watch

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Every September, New York becomes the epicenter of global style, and this season’s Spring/Summer 2027 collections are already setting the tone. Here’s what’s predicted to dominate the catwalks:

Elevated Sportswear

Sporty silhouettes are trading the gym for the runway, with tailored track-inspired pieces, technical fabrics, and elevated basics giving athletic style a luxury upgrade.

Billowing, sheer, and lightweight materials are taking over for warm-weather dressing, with designers layering airy fabrics for movement and romance on the runway.

Designers are redefining what elegance looks like for 2027. Think unexpected tailoring, fresh silhouettes, and a mix of polish and ease rather than traditional formality.

This season is all about contrast: clean, pared-back basics shown alongside bold, statement-making pieces, sometimes in the very same collection.

2. Street Style: What the Front Row Will Be Wearing

If the runway is the heartbeat of NYFW, the sidewalks outside the venues are its pulse. Street style photographers flock to capture fashion insiders, influencers, and editors, and this year’s off-duty looks are shaping up to be bold and a little playful:

Balloon Pants

Sporty silhouettes are trading the gym for the runway, with tailored track-inspired pieces, technical fabrics, and elevated basics giving athletic style a luxury upgrade.

Billowing, sheer, and lightweight materials are taking over for warm-weather dressing, with designers layering airy fabrics for movement and romance on the runway.

Designers are redefining what elegance looks like for 2027. Think unexpected tailoring, fresh silhouettes, and a mix of polish and ease rather than traditional formality.

Layering is getting more unexpected this season, with playful combinations of textures, proportions and pieces creating street style looks that feel anything but predictable.

Color is making its way into the details, with bright tights, funky hats, statement bags and unexpected pops of color adding personality to otherwise polished looks.

3. Backstage Nail Trends at NYFW 2026

While the clothes take center stage, nails remain an essential finishing touch — and this year’s backstage trends are split between two extremes: ultra-natural minimalism and high-impact maximalism. Our very own Emily from Neroli Downtown will be right in the middle of it, creating looks that perfectly complement the designers’ visions. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s trending in nail art:

Bare & Milky Minimalism

Sheer, barely there pinks and milky neutral bases are keeping nails clean, quiet and low maintenance, putting the focus on healthy, well groomed hands rather than heavy polish.

Pearl charms, metallic beads, dangling chains, and full chrome finishes are turning manicures into miniature accessories in their own right.

Dramatic, elongated shapes are providing a striking contrast to the season’s more understated sets.

Dark sapphire, oxblood, rich burgundy, and chocolate brown are dominating the color story for a moody, sophisticated finish.

4. Backstage Hair Trends at NYFW 2026

Hair is having just as big a moment backstage this season, and three of our stylists, Elise, Kaya and Sally, will be part of the teams bringing these looks to life. We won’t spoil which shows they’re working, but here’s what’s trending on the hair side of NYFW:

Wet-Look Hair

Sleek, glass-like finishes are giving hair a polished, second-day-skipped shine.

Dramatic side partings are becoming a styling statement all on their own.

From soft waves to crimped strands, texture is being used to add dimension without looking overworked.

Slicked-back buns and halo braids are proving that polished doesn’t have to mean fussy.

Get the NYFW Look for Yourself

You don’t have to wait for Fashion Week to come to you. Book an appointment with Emily, Elise, Kaya, or Sally and get the same runway-inspired nails and hair straight from the artists working backstage at NYFW 2026. Whether you want bare, milky minimalism, full chrome nail art, a wet-look finish, or an effortless halo braid, our team can bring the trends home to you.

Book your appointment today and let NYFW come to you.