NYFW Day 6 wraps with Ivy League tailoring, glamorous gowns and ‘ICE Out’ statement pins
TOI GLOBAL | Feb 18, 2026, 20:32 IST
Day 6 marked the conclusion of New York Fashion Week 2026, featuring classic Ivy League tailoring from J. Press and glamorous eveningwear from Dennis Basso. Designer Veejay Floresca added a political dimension to the runway, with models wearing “ICE Out” pins signaling opposition to recent immigration enforcement policies.
The final day captured the breadth of NYFW balancing heritage aesthetics, high-glamour design and socially conscious messaging—before the fashion world moves on to the next global style capital.
The final day captured the breadth of NYFW balancing heritage aesthetics, high-glamour design and socially conscious messaging—before the fashion world moves on to the next global style capital.
The final curtain has fallen on New York Fashion Week, with Day 6 delivering a mix of polished tradition, after-dark glamour and pointed political expression. The last official presentations and runway shows concluded Monday, Feb. 16, closing out a week that blended heritage fashion houses with emerging voices and social commentary.
One of the day’s standout settings came from J. Press, which staged its presentation at the New York Historical museum and library. The venue underscored the brand’s deep-rooted aesthetic: Ivy League tailoring with crisp lines, collegiate prep influences and understated refinement. Models walked in structured blazers, classic knitwear and sharply tailored trousers, reinforcing the label’s long-standing association with East Coast academic style. The collection felt like a visual love letter to tradition—polished but modernized for today’s customer.
In contrast, designer Dennis Basso leaned into drama and elegance with a presentation inspired by New York after dark. Show notes described the lineup as an “ode to New York at night” and to “the women who illuminate it.” The collection featured cocktail dresses and sweeping evening gowns in rich textures and fluid silhouettes. Sequins, luxe fabrics and architectural cuts reflected the city’s nightlife energy, offering a cinematic counterpoint to the daytime polish seen earlier in the schedule.
The most overt political moment of the evening came from Veejay Floresca, a Project Runway alum who unveiled a diverse lineup of gowns and tailored suits. Several models wore “ICE Out” pins during the presentation—a visible statement opposing recent immigration enforcement policies under President Donald Trump.
Floresca, who has spoken publicly about being an immigrant, framed the pins as an expression of solidarity. The subtle yet unmistakable accessory transformed the runway into a space for activism, reflecting a broader trend of designers using fashion as a platform for social commentary. In recent seasons, political messaging—whether through slogans, symbols or casting choices—has become increasingly woven into the fabric of Fashion Week itself.
As the week concludes, Day 6 encapsulated what makes New York’s fashion scene distinctive: reverence for heritage, celebration of glamour and a willingness to engage in the national conversation. From Ivy-inspired tailoring to evening elegance and immigration-focused messaging, the closing shows offered a final reminder that fashion in New York is as much about identity and values as it is about style.
The final curtain has fallen on New York Fashion Week, with Day 6 delivering a mix of polished tradition, after-dark glamour and pointed political expression. The last official presentations and runway shows concluded Monday, Feb. 16, closing out a week that blended heritage fashion houses with emerging voices and social commentary.
One of the day’s standout settings came from J. Press, which staged its presentation at the New York Historical museum and library. The venue underscored the brand’s deep-rooted aesthetic: Ivy League tailoring with crisp lines, collegiate prep influences and understated refinement. Models walked in structured blazers, classic knitwear and sharply tailored trousers, reinforcing the label’s long-standing association with East Coast academic style. The collection felt like a visual love letter to tradition—polished but modernized for today’s customer.
In contrast, designer Dennis Basso leaned into drama and elegance with a presentation inspired by New York after dark. Show notes described the lineup as an “ode to New York at night” and to “the women who illuminate it.” The collection featured cocktail dresses and sweeping evening gowns in rich textures and fluid silhouettes. Sequins, luxe fabrics and architectural cuts reflected the city’s nightlife energy, offering a cinematic counterpoint to the daytime polish seen earlier in the schedule.
The most overt political moment of the evening came from Veejay Floresca, a Project Runway alum who unveiled a diverse lineup of gowns and tailored suits. Several models wore “ICE Out” pins during the presentation—a visible statement opposing recent immigration enforcement policies under President Donald Trump.
Floresca, who has spoken publicly about being an immigrant, framed the pins as an expression of solidarity. The subtle yet unmistakable accessory transformed the runway into a space for activism, reflecting a broader trend of designers using fashion as a platform for social commentary. In recent seasons, political messaging—whether through slogans, symbols or casting choices—has become increasingly woven into the fabric of Fashion Week itself.
As the week concludes, Day 6 encapsulated what makes New York’s fashion scene distinctive: reverence for heritage, celebration of glamour and a willingness to engage in the national conversation. From Ivy-inspired tailoring to evening elegance and immigration-focused messaging, the closing shows offered a final reminder that fashion in New York is as much about identity and values as it is about style.
One of the day’s standout settings came from J. Press, which staged its presentation at the New York Historical museum and library. The venue underscored the brand’s deep-rooted aesthetic: Ivy League tailoring with crisp lines, collegiate prep influences and understated refinement. Models walked in structured blazers, classic knitwear and sharply tailored trousers, reinforcing the label’s long-standing association with East Coast academic style. The collection felt like a visual love letter to tradition—polished but modernized for today’s customer.
In contrast, designer Dennis Basso leaned into drama and elegance with a presentation inspired by New York after dark. Show notes described the lineup as an “ode to New York at night” and to “the women who illuminate it.” The collection featured cocktail dresses and sweeping evening gowns in rich textures and fluid silhouettes. Sequins, luxe fabrics and architectural cuts reflected the city’s nightlife energy, offering a cinematic counterpoint to the daytime polish seen earlier in the schedule.
The most overt political moment of the evening came from Veejay Floresca, a Project Runway alum who unveiled a diverse lineup of gowns and tailored suits. Several models wore “ICE Out” pins during the presentation—a visible statement opposing recent immigration enforcement policies under President Donald Trump.
Floresca, who has spoken publicly about being an immigrant, framed the pins as an expression of solidarity. The subtle yet unmistakable accessory transformed the runway into a space for activism, reflecting a broader trend of designers using fashion as a platform for social commentary. In recent seasons, political messaging—whether through slogans, symbols or casting choices—has become increasingly woven into the fabric of Fashion Week itself.
As the week concludes, Day 6 encapsulated what makes New York’s fashion scene distinctive: reverence for heritage, celebration of glamour and a willingness to engage in the national conversation. From Ivy-inspired tailoring to evening elegance and immigration-focused messaging, the closing shows offered a final reminder that fashion in New York is as much about identity and values as it is about style.
The final curtain has fallen on New York Fashion Week, with Day 6 delivering a mix of polished tradition, after-dark glamour and pointed political expression. The last official presentations and runway shows concluded Monday, Feb. 16, closing out a week that blended heritage fashion houses with emerging voices and social commentary.
One of the day’s standout settings came from J. Press, which staged its presentation at the New York Historical museum and library. The venue underscored the brand’s deep-rooted aesthetic: Ivy League tailoring with crisp lines, collegiate prep influences and understated refinement. Models walked in structured blazers, classic knitwear and sharply tailored trousers, reinforcing the label’s long-standing association with East Coast academic style. The collection felt like a visual love letter to tradition—polished but modernized for today’s customer.
In contrast, designer Dennis Basso leaned into drama and elegance with a presentation inspired by New York after dark. Show notes described the lineup as an “ode to New York at night” and to “the women who illuminate it.” The collection featured cocktail dresses and sweeping evening gowns in rich textures and fluid silhouettes. Sequins, luxe fabrics and architectural cuts reflected the city’s nightlife energy, offering a cinematic counterpoint to the daytime polish seen earlier in the schedule.
The most overt political moment of the evening came from Veejay Floresca, a Project Runway alum who unveiled a diverse lineup of gowns and tailored suits. Several models wore “ICE Out” pins during the presentation—a visible statement opposing recent immigration enforcement policies under President Donald Trump.
Floresca, who has spoken publicly about being an immigrant, framed the pins as an expression of solidarity. The subtle yet unmistakable accessory transformed the runway into a space for activism, reflecting a broader trend of designers using fashion as a platform for social commentary. In recent seasons, political messaging—whether through slogans, symbols or casting choices—has become increasingly woven into the fabric of Fashion Week itself.
As the week concludes, Day 6 encapsulated what makes New York’s fashion scene distinctive: reverence for heritage, celebration of glamour and a willingness to engage in the national conversation. From Ivy-inspired tailoring to evening elegance and immigration-focused messaging, the closing shows offered a final reminder that fashion in New York is as much about identity and values as it is about style.