Browse this page to see all the looks from the collection
With her Khaite Spring/Summer 2026 collection, Catherine Holstein presented a compelling vision, showcasing strength within self-consciousness. After the show, during which models walked a misty, angular runway, Holstein spoke backstage about her belief that true confidence stems from insecurity. This idea may seem contrary to the typically fierce and provocative image of the Khaite woman.
Yet the show proposed a more raw and exposed beauty, a thoughtful departure from overly polished perfection. Holstein aims for her clothes to be unmistakably Khaite, a goal this collection certainly achieved, regardless of one’s appreciation for the direction.
The show began with a familiar yet altered silhouette, which Holstein considers a palette cleanser. A model wore a leather blazer, dark blue jeans, and black heels. However, the blazer was sliced up the side and twisted across the body, creating a subtly skewed look. This single gesture introduced the collection’s main idea of purposeful imperfection. Leather, denim, and footwear are foundational categories for the brand. This season, Holstein demonstrated her ability to continually reinterpret these essential elements, proving that a good product is the most effective marketing tool.
This season, Holstein looked to her own past for inspiration. She recalled cutting up her clothes as a teenager – a rebellious act of personalization that she wanted to revisit. This youthful energy was evident in ultra-cropped toppers and tiny, folded bandeaus. Trousers featured askew hems, and jeans had deep cuffs, evoking a sense of naiveté. Draped tops coiled around the torso, and other garments were deconstructed to appear less formal and more personal. The designer filtered her experiences directly into the clothes.
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Certain looks directly challenged conventional ideas of luxury. Corset tops were exaggerated into bulbous hourglass sculptures or ripped open and stuffed with tulle at the bust. The designer explained that this was about taking risks and avoiding a result that was too pristine or “well-done.“ Western details, a recurring theme for the designer, appeared in the form of large buckled belts, fabulous pony hair trousers, and slit skirts. These pieces were set against the urban grit of distressed leathers and fisherman jackets. Sheer shirting with hand-stitched floral embroidery was meant to appear imperfect, not flawless.
Even the pieces that closed the show maintained this ethos of raw yet controlled style. Kendall Jenner and Binx Walton appeared in chunky, hand-crocheted knits paired with large, polka-dot skirts hitched to the hip.
The accessories also drew attention, ranging from cute leather moccasins with small kitten heels to caramel-colored, low-heeled slingbacks that were worn with dark-rinse denim. These elements solidified a look of sophisticated ease, suggesting a woman who strides forward with quiet, unbothered confidence, rooted in her reality and subtle imperfections.
© Photo: Khaite