New York Reclaimed by Landeros New York Spring 2026
Last Thursday, inside the pulse of Winter NYFW, Landeros New York did more than present a collection. It reclaimed the DNA of New York City. The aura of the event felt intentional from the moment I stepped in. The networking atmosphere was vibrant but focused, the kind of crowd that understands when something meaningful is unfolding. The runway set was epic without trying too hard. It framed the vision clearly and set the tone for Fall 2026.
What struck me immediately was how rooted the designs felt in authentic New York fashion. Not the tourist version. Not the watered down Instagram aesthetic. This was premier fashion energy reminiscent of 1996 to 1997, modernized with restraint and clarity. The silhouettes were retro yet sharpened for today. Sleek. Calm. Ready to wear. There was an interesting balance happening. High fashion discipline met modern streetwear sensibility. That line is thin. Over the past five years, streetwear has fully entered the luxury lane, sometimes overpowering it. Landeros did not let that happen. Instead, the brand controlled the fusion. It felt deliberate.
Andre G. Michael Jr understood exactly what he was building with Landeros New York. This was not about chasing trends. It was about reminding the city what its fashion legacy looks like when done with structure and confidence. He assembled what felt like an Avengers level team to execute the moment. Casting and creative direction were led by Julius Poole, who curated a lineup that reflected range without losing cohesion. Jenesee Utley styled the models with precision, ensuring that each look read as complete rather than experimental chaos. Michelle Webb of AOF Make Up handled beauty, keeping the faces clean yet commanding. Hair was executed by Gary Baker of Unite Hair TV, adding polish without distracting from the garments.
The runway itself lasted about twenty minutes. That was more than enough. There was no filler. No unnecessary theatrics. The point was made. Landeros will be central to Spring 2026 in NYC because the brand understands the city’s rhythm. It does not scream for attention. It commands it.
Shoshana Sebring opened the show in a black oversized trench fur. She floated down the catwalk with elegance that felt timeless. It was the calm before the storm. The trench carried authority but did not overwhelm her frame. It reminded me that power in fashion does not always need embellishment. Sometimes volume and texture speak loudly on their own.
Aidan Botha followed in a black satin like jacket paired with flowing satin bottoms. The fabric moved with intention. He sold the look instantly. There was no need for a buyer to imagine how to style it. Jenesee Utley did the work already. The set felt complete. In a market where consumers crave clarity, that matters.
Then came Aidan Pais, who shifted the temperature of the room in a cheetah trench coat layered with a black fur scarf. That coat will move quickly in the spring. It hit the sweet spot between statement and wearability. Animal print has history in this city. On that runway, it felt revived rather than recycled.
Bilad Al Sudan received the biggest reaction of the night. The attendees erupted as he stepped out in a radiant two piece blue leather set accented with mild spiked shoulders. The detailing was sharp but not aggressive. It felt like armor for the modern New Yorker. Confident. Alert. Ready for whatever the city throws at you.
NYC’s own Moon Choi delivered what I consider the look of the night. A bluish purple rain jacket paired with a matching dress and a sheer top underneath created a layered narrative. Practicality met drama. The color story alone demanded attention. That is the look of the spring. It captures unpredictability, which is exactly what New York weather and New York life share.
Pamela Homles followed in a goddess like fur trench with high boots. Her presence was dominant. The look felt current and strong without abandoning femininity. It represented modern power dressing without leaning corporate.
I realized what Andre G. Michael Jr accomplished. He did not attempt to reinvent New York. He reminded us what it looks like when a brand respects its foundation. The tailoring had purpose. The textures had weight. The styling told buyers exactly how these pieces live outside the runway. In a week packed with presentations competing for virality, Landeros New York focused on permanence. That confidence is what separates a participant from a leader. The city has always rewarded designers who understand its duality. Glamour and grit. Luxury and hustle. Discipline and creativity.
Landeros did not borrow from New York culture. It embodied it. And if Spring 2026 belongs to any defining aesthetic in this city, it will be the one that understands where it came from. On Thursday night, that aesthetic walked under the Landeros banner.