A striking red and pink fringe ensamble by Russian fashion label Big Brooch.
Image: Supplied
From different fabrics to colours, textures and silhouettes, Moscow Fashion Week (MFW) 2026 was a sensory sensation.
Held at the Central Exhibition Hall “Manege” in the heart of the city from March 14 until March 19, the gathering featured over 200 designers from across Russia and internationally.
Each collection featured an array of traditional motifs, timeless classics and avant-garde experimentation.
A grey suit with fur details is a stand-out power dressing moment from Elisabetta.
Image: Supplied.
Here are some of the top MFW 2026 trends:
Confidence, professionalism and authority in both womenswear as well as menswear at the style spectacle were reflected in several ranges at MFW 2026, as power dressing was one of the trends which reigned supreme.
My favourite interpretation of this was from Elisabetta, whose entire collection was anchored by magnificently designed structured coats.
Using mostly neutral tones such as beige, grey and black, many also featured feminine faux-fur details. Other cape designs were also a hit, as well as her take on a power suit.
Other designers who included power dressing in their MFW 2026 collections were Edder, Ianis Chamilidy and Stas Lopatkin.
Madame & Mister Sibarita used a gorgeous turquoise shade for many of their men’s and womenswear items
Image: Supplied.
This trend, which refers to the use of transparent or semi-transparent fabrics in clothing to reveal parts of the body underneath in a controlled, styled way, also emerged as a favourite at MFW.
With the use of various fabrics such as chiffon, organza, tulle and mesh to reveal layers or silhouettes, designers put their own spin on sheer pieces.
One of the standout interpretations came from Madame & Mister Sibarita, who used a gorgeous turquoise shade for many of their men’s and womenswear items. This included a sheer full-length skirt with eye-catching feather detailing, as well as a matching blazer with satin cut-offs.
The Vow, 404 Not Found and Chinese designers Xuaujin and Capparel also used sheer details to showcase modern sensuality, layering as a style element, artistry and expression.
Fringe, which refers to strips of fabric, leather or thread that hang from a garment or accessory, also featured prominently on the MFW 2026 runway.
Part of its appeal lies in the way it creates movement, texture and visual interest. It is also a unique way to add depth to clothing, resulting in statement pieces which steal the show.
One of the most memorable MFW 2026 fringe moments came from Russian fashion label Big Brooch, which reflected this trend in a striking ombré red and pink off-the-shoulder, knee-length dress.
Paired with red stiletto heels and a blush pink handbag, the garment glided across the catwalk with its mix of shades. Meanwhile, Fashion Factory School, Viva Vox and Esve also included fringe elements in their garments.
A bold leather look from Moscow-based design house Addicted_To…
Image: Supplied
My favourite trend also appeared to be the fabric of choice for MFW 2026 designers, as leather dominated this year’s runway.
In fact, Moscow-based design house Addicted_To… opted for a mostly glossy black patent leather collection.
My favourite from the week, some of the standout pieces included a patent leather peplum top with matching leggings, a full-length leather boobtube dress, and a mini leopard print dress. It was the main character energy, complemented by metallics and a striking pink leopard print - a whole mood that demanded to be seen.
From a full-length leather coat of my absolute dreams, to mini dresses and tops paired with thigh-high boots, it was the perfect blend of edgy and sleek.
In addition, Istanbul-based brand Emre Erdemoğlu delivered a collection full of fitted silhouettes and bold leather pieces with accent details.
It featured embossed crocodile-effect biker jackets and leather biker jackets with metallic studs. Emre and Xaka also included leather prominently in their collections.
Polka dots featured prominantly on the MFW runway, including in Moscow fashion brand Too Match's collection.
Image: Supplied
Another one of my favourite textures which I was delighted to see, and was prominent at MFW 2026 was polka dots.
The classic fashion pattern is made up of repeated, evenly spaced circles on fabric. The dots are usually the same size but can vary from tiny (subtle) to oversized (bold and graphic).
They are one of fashion’s most recognisable prints because they sit between playful, retro and elegant, depending on how they are styled.
Moscow fashion brand Too Match opted for a full polka dot moment with one of their looks, which included a black blouse with fine white dots.
The outfit’s statement piece was the skirt - a full-length fitted piece with delicate white bottom detailing. This playful look is bold, romantic and feminine.
Other MFW 2026 designers such as Sasha Barbakov and Sergey Sysoev also incorporated this timeless pattern into their ranges.