For Khaite, less is more. Though there is an inherent beauty embedded within the intricacies of the label’s elegant designs— a closer look draws the viewer’s attention to astute craftsmanship and clean lines. Although the Khaite woman possesses a minimalist poise, she’s anything but simple. She’s characterized by duality — graceful, yet strong — and these opposing elements converge harmoniously in the label’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection.
She’s confident, but it’s easy to be when you’re perfectly primmed in envy-inducing tailored ensembles. But designer Catherine Holstein wanted to empower her wearers to feel confident even when they aren’t dressed in an extremely polished manner. She wanted to show that haphazard can be haute as well. As such, she roughened some of the looks’ proper edges with raw touches — asymmetrical silhouettes, adventurous shapes, rough hems — showing a different side of Khaite, presenting Khaite undone.
The collection was showcased at The Shed, on a runway defined by sharp, jagged pathways broken up by pools of water. The show’s notes referred to this as an allusion to “walking on shaken ground.” Fog floated through the room as the array highlighted playful textures that incorporated tactile fur dots, flower appliques and thick knit fibers into matching skirt and top sets, button-downs and blouses. Warped silhouettes gave this version of Khaite a novel edge; textiles appear twisted, folded or pinched, yielding designs that elevate mundane versions of wardrobe staples.
Some leather jackets are cropped just under, or cheekily above, the bust — the daring older sister of the trusty layer we all know and love. The power pantsuit is presented in a new light, with tulle exploding from necklines in both knee and ankle length capri variations, while daring skirts showcase split hems or oversized fits. It’s not unusual for Holstein to marry elegance with a provocative sense of grit, but this foray into the unexpected felt exceptionally intentional.
That carefree vibe carried over into the show’s beauty looks as well. Makeup was kept minimal — models donned smudged charcoal eyeliner at most — so the skin prep was integral to executing that “chic, but barely even trying” essence. Monastery cleansing and moisturizing products were used to prime the models’ skin, providing a natural glow that amplified the raw beauty of each look. The founder of the beauty brand, Athena Hewett, shared that this organic feel was intentional; it echoed the collection’s resounding message that beauty doesn’t always have to be so buttoned up.
Dive into this new expression of Khaite and view the full collection above.
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