Episode Details

In this Fashion Thursdays with Diane episode of Too Young To Be Old, Diane Gilman breaks down New York Fashion Week Fall 2026 with her signature wit, honesty, and decades of industry experience. From legacy designers to new names on the runway, she asks the big question: where has all the excitement gone in American fashion?

Diane contrasts New York’s “elevated everyday” with the fantastical couture she saw in Paris, and explains why this season felt a bit like a vegan, gluten-free meal: technically correct, but ultimately unsatisfying. She talks about monotone dressing, why everything seems to be brown, mossy, or gray, and why so many collections feel like echoes instead of fresh ideas.

In this episode, Diane covers:

• Why New York Fashion Week 2026 felt safe, quiet, and almost “watered down” instead of bold and groundbreaking
• Her favorite piece of the week: a stamped crocodile leather blazer from Khaite (aka Kate) and why it’s gorgeous but totally unrealistic for most real women’s bodies and lifestyles
• Ralph Lauren’s show: classic, beautiful, monotone and… a little too predictable
• Calvin Klein and the loss of designer DNA: how the brand feels off-message and interchangeable with labels like The Row
• Seven For All Mankind on the runway: lots of gray, lots of monotone, and how Diane can recreate most looks with pieces she already owns
• Michael Kors: why “nice” isn’t enough anymore, even from a generational genius
• The dominance of monotone dressing (ivory, black, gray) and how it’s used to get you to buy full head-to-toe outfits
• Newer names like Monse / Montserrat and the fantasy vs. reality of floor-length winter coats if you actually live in New York City
• Coach on the runway: high-priced streetwear that you could basically thrift for a fraction of the cost
• Why vintage and resale feel more exciting, unique, and inspirational than most new collections right now
• The aging of America’s iconic designers (Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors) and what that means for the future of fashion
• How the atmosphere of economic uncertainty is making brands more cautious, less daring, and more repetitive
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Special Offers & Resources Mentioned:

✨ Use the code 'DIANEG' to receive a discount on Mito Red Light products! Visit https://mitoredlight.com/?afmc=DIANEG to learn more!

Connect with Diane Gilman:

1. YouTube: @thedianegilman
2. Facebook: TheDianeGilman
3. Instagram: @thedianegilman
4. TikTok: @thedianegilman
5. Website & Mailing List: TheDianeGilman.com

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