Khaite Fall 2026: A Journey to New Heights
The Khaite fall 2026 runway show was a spectacle to behold, with a 60-foot high, curved LED wall displaying the words 'Now you are here. Here you are now'. This installation, designed by Griffin Frazen and his team, set the tone for a collection that explored the pressure of pushing boundaries and the search for authenticity. The show was a testament to Catherine Holstein's vision and her ability to create compelling, fast-growing fashion businesses.
The collection was inspired by the film 'F for Fake', an Orson Welles documentary from 1973 that delves into the world of forgeries and fakers. It's a thought-provoking exploration of how we value art and authenticity, and who gets to decide what's real. The collection itself was a mix of dark romance and provocative ideas, with a focus on the 'crushing weight of words'.
The Khaite woman was portrayed as a bold and confident individual, with a sharp vision for fashion. The collection featured dark romance elements, such as a velvet bustier gown with a big, '80s-style gazar skirt, and Victorian-collared black lace blouses with long, skinny trousers. The collection also played with the idea of trickery and provocation, contrasting hyperfeminine lace lingerie dresses with 'ghoulish' ultra-long, dark nails or slick leather opera gloves.
The collection also featured unexpected details, such as embroidered monkeys on sheer blouses, which were symbolic of deception and alluded to the eccentric documentary men of the '70s. The collection also featured exaggerated military-style marching band jackets, buttons, and trims, floral velvet suits, big bow ties, and Alfred Hitchcock-inspired cross chains. Two striking evening skirts were adorned with Milton Avery paintings.
The collection added another dimension to Holstein's authoritative mix of soft versus hard, ultra-cropped against long and lean. It's a new take on her ongoing examination of how garments fit on the body after having had two children in the last three years. While the collection's subliminal messaging may not be immediately apparent, the clothes are sure to turn heads and make a statement.
