Christian Siriano Brings Old Hollywood Glamour to NY Fashion Week/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Designer Christian Siriano turned Macy’s Herald Square into a silver screen-inspired runway for New York Fashion Week. His Spring 2026 collection moved from monochrome glamour to bold Technicolor gowns, drawing inspiration from Marlene Dietrich. The show highlighted inclusivity, Hollywood guests, and dramatic performance flair.
Christian Siriano’s Old Hollywood Glamour: Quick Looks
- Venue: Macy’s Herald Square, transformed into a cinematic set.
- Inspiration: Marlene Dietrich’s mix of masculine and feminine fashion.
- Collection: Transitioned from black-and-white stripes, polka dots, and plaid to bright Technicolor gowns.
- Celebrity Guests: Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah, Lizzo, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Lambert.
- Runway Highlight: Coco Rocha opened and closed the show in signature dramatic style.
- Inclusivity: Models of all sizes, genders, and backgrounds.
- Signature Pieces: Tiffany blue ball gown, Barbie pink deconstructed tuxedo dress, bubble gowns, oversized hats.
- Performance Feel: Siriano wanted the show to feel like “escapism” and a Hollywood performance.
- Business Move: Siriano continues as Macy’s I.N.C. brand creative director.
- Backstage Drama: Final gown sewn minutes before the show, highlighting Siriano’s hands-on artistry.
Christian Siriano Brings Old Hollywood Glamour to NY Fashion Week
Deep Look
Christian Siriano once again proved why he’s a staple of New York Fashion Week, blending cinematic storytelling with fashion innovation. On Friday night, the Herald Square Macy’s department store shed its athleisure racks and transformed into a theatrical set, complete with cream curtains that unveiled a silver-screen fantasy.
A Cinematic Collection
The Spring 2026 collection was an ode to Marlene Dietrich, the German-born screen legend who blurred gender lines by pairing masculine tailoring with feminine glamour.
Siriano explained:
“A lot of the collection is black-and-white, but full of texture… sequins, polka dots, stripes. Then, just like a movie turning from black-and-white into Technicolor, we end in vibrant color.”
Models strutted in polka dots, stripes, and plaid, evoking the monochrome era of cinema, before transitioning into bright tiffany blue and Barbie pink gowns reminiscent of mid-century Hollywood’s dazzling color reels.
Star-Studded Front Row
The guest list mirrored the Hollywood inspiration: Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Lizzo shared the front row, applauding as Coco Rocha opened the show with her trademark supermodel strut in a bold striped-and-polka-dot blazer with a matching skirt and hat.
Rising star Natasha Rothwell of The White Lotus attended her first-ever fashion show, leaving stunned:
“For my first fashion show, it was everything. I want to spend an insane amount of money.”
Adam Lambert matched the night’s drama, arriving in a bronze belted blazer coat and oversized shades.
Inclusivity Remains Core
Siriano has built his reputation not just on glamour but inclusivity. Models of all body types, genders, and backgrounds walked the runway. In an industry where some labels are quietly retreating from inclusivity, Siriano doubled down:
“It’s just important to have a mix of beautiful people.”
Signature Styling
Old Hollywood touches included slick-backed buns with a pin curl wave, while modern twists added blazers styled with only tights. Accessories came bold, with flat-top and oversized whimsical hats stealing the spotlight.
Standout designs included:
- Bubble gowns and voluminous silhouettes.
- Barbie pink tuxedo dress deconstructing traditional tailoring.
- Tiffany blue ball gown evoking cinematic fantasy.
- Polka dot off-the-shoulder gown closing the show in dramatic flair.
Behind the Curtain
Backstage, Siriano’s team scrambled until the last moment, hand-finishing Rocha’s final look — a billowing black-and-white polka dot gown. True to tradition, Rocha’s dramatic exit cemented the show as one of the season’s highlights.
Siriano’s Expanding Influence
The designer, who first rose to fame as the 2007 Project Runway winner, continues shaping American fashion. He now mentors new talent on the show alongside Heidi Klum and Law Roach.
As creative director for Macy’s I.N.C. brand, celebrating its 40th anniversary, Siriano also emphasized retail’s role in keeping fashion accessible:
“By bringing Fashion Week to Macy’s, I hoped to bring customers back to retail shopping.”
Fashion as Escapism
Closing the night, Siriano said his aim was more than just showcasing clothes:
“I love my shows to be a performance. I want people to feel transported to a different world. Fashion is escapism, and we need that so much right now.”
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