New York Men’s Day opened New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026. The all day event is an eclectic assortment of emerging brands. The Designers showcased here are Clara Son, FIT Collective, Max Esmail, Oxblood Zebra, and Joseph McRae. NYMD is an AgentryPR initiative intended to help nurture emerging talent and consolidate the showing of contemporary menswear and genderless collections. 
Presented by: Project, a platform for men’s contemporary apparel, and Coterie, a platform for women’s contemporary apparel. Sponsored by GrimoireNY, Smart Water, Coca Cola, Gola Classics, and Victinox. Location Mercedes-Benz of Manhattan. Photojournalist Fred J. DeVito, Imagemaker.

Scene: Clara Son’s collection, titled Reset. The presentation featured a surrealist mock bedroom set where models posed in front of full-length mirrors to emphasize the theme of self-reflection and personal evolution. The collection focuses on post-genderism, blending unconventional elements with classic influences to create elegant, minimal menswear. Notable pieces include ruched jackets with harness details, waxed canvas textures, and ruched stripe tops paired with “curtain pants”.
Like her previous Reminiscence and Exuvia collections, Reset uses fashion to tell a story of transforming life’s challenges into a cohesive visual narrative.
Talent for the show: Key Hairstylist Kien Hoang and team for Oribe; Key Makeup Artist Michelle Webb, and team for Augment Tokyo, team support Academy of Freelance Makeup; Stylist Nyeelah Lewis; Casting Noella Diaz; Movement Director; Vive Khamsingsavath; Footwear: Florsheim; Interns: Hugo Arvizu and Alexander Sablow; Public Relations: AgentryPR.

Scene: The FIT Collective.This curated showcase featured the work of recent graduates from the Fashion Institute of Technology’s (FIT) menswear program, highlighting the next generation of American design talent. The presentation was noted for its collective energy and for functioning as a space for high-visibility mentorship within the industry.
Designers: Mitchell Godfrey, Lucas Coburn Allen, Anderson Guerrero, Christian Allen, Coolidge Abel-Bey, Griffin Queen, Max Mullertz, Jake Savoca, Jaden Villegas, Johan Cruz, Loren Crowe, Morgan McAndrew, Basil Cho, Oliver Perry Reinard, Parker Bel-Devaney, Kazu Okamoto.
FIT Faculty Professors: Christopher Uvenio Assistant Chair, Tetsuo Tamanaha, Michael Maccari, Nilcem Stitt,, Wonki Lee, Steven Schacht, Igor Kozlenko, Ruobing Zhao, Eugene Ree.
Talent for the show: Key Hairstylist Ashley Brecken and team for Oribe; Key Makeup Artist Michelle Webb, and team for Augment Tokyo, team support Academy of Freelance Makeup.

Scene: Max Esmail’s collection, titled Confidant. The collection marks a departure from the architectural, Bauhaus-inspired minimalist aesthetic of his debut and leans into a darker, more cinematic narrative. It features a “mob-boss allure” characterized by sharp tailoring, dark tones, and vintage leathers. Max Esmail (Maxwell Amadeus Kamal Coombs Esmail) is a London-born, US-based designer who founded his namesake brand in 2024.
The Confidant collection is heavily influenced by the underworld of crime and gangster/dystopian sci-fi films that Esmail grew up watching. Highlights include sleek, high-end menswear such as tailored suits, leather outerwear, and accessories like luxury watches, all designed with a “criminal edge”.
Talent for the show: Key Hairstylist Christian Ceja-Compin and team for Oribe; Key Makeup Artist Michelle Webb, and team for Augment Tokyo, team support Academy of Freelance Makeup; Watches Tag Heure; Shoes Allen Edmonds; Glasses Vintage Frames Company.

Scene: Oxblood Zebra’s collection, titled Off-Script: The Rule Breakers’ Uniform designed by Reuben Shaw. The collection is characterized by a rebellion with refinement aesthetic, blending sharp tailoring with deconstructed elements to challenge traditional corporate attire. The collection focuses on tailoring with a pulse, emphasizing individuality over standard work uniforms. 
Oxblood Zebra’s presentation highlighted several distinct stylistic choices:
Dual Identity: The brand name represents the intersection of oxblood (rich legacy and power) and zebra (untamed individuality).
Tailoring Techniques: Looks featured blazers with sharp precision softened by draped trousers, asymmetrical layers, and shirting that blurred lines between polished and deconstructed.
Talent for the show: Key Hairstylist Mandee Tauber and team for Oribe; Key Makeup Artist Michelle Webb, and team for Augment Tokyo, team support Academy of Freelance Makeup; Creative Consultant Denny Balmaceda; Jewelry Urban Society; Dress Footwear Florsheim; Sneakers Gola; Team Vernon Hadley, Chase Whiteside, and Ayana White; Public Relations: Concept Jones.

Scene: Joseph McRae’s collection, titled Bloom ’25. The collection celebrates the designer’s 10-year anniversary and draws inspiration from the classic film and musical The Wiz. 
Described as a Dysphoria of Prints, the collection pays homage to the story of Dorothy, symbolizing self-discovery and the concept that home is about embracing one’s truth. The collection features gender-fluid designs with a heavy focus on striking shapes, architectural structure, and bold textures.
The collection highlights oversized, interchangeable pieces, such as half-and-half puffer jackets and flowing pants in muted tones, focusing on themes of transformation. 
McRae utilized his signature washable neoprene to create structured silhouettes. The presentation highlighted stacked beanies, one-size-fits-all jackets, and branded sweatshirts.
Talent for the show: Key Hairstylist Kien Hoang and team for Oribe; Key Makeup Artist Michelle Webb, and team for Augment Tokyo, First Assistant Monique Marquerite, team support Academy of Freelance Makeup.