The Fashion Week list: the creative directors who divide and set trends in 2026

At Bottega Veneta, Blazy has redefined "quiet luxury" with exceptional craftsmanship and a focus on quality. His success offers a counterpoint to the spectacle of fashion, sparking a debate about the true value of luxury.

As one of the strongest independent voices, Serre continues to set trends with her crescent moon and her focus on sustainability. Her ability to create a community and her own universe distinguishes her as a leader for the future of fashion.

Taking on the challenge at Gucci, Demna fuses luxury with pop culture and viral purpose. His disruptive vision and ability to spark conversations make him one of the most polarizing and followed figures of 2026.

At the helm of Dior, Anderson promises an era of intellectualism and subversive craftsmanship. His approach, which challenges the conventions of traditional luxury, will mark a bold new direction for the historic maison.

His arrival at an established house like Chanel introduces a fresh, Mediterranean energy that divides purists. His mastery of visual storytelling and social media redefines the concept of virality and desire in fashion in 2026.

After his acclaimed tenure at Valentino, his appointment at Balenciaga is one of the most anticipated. It is anticipated that his focus on haute couture and romanticism will both clash with and complement the house's avant-garde legacy.

His appointment at Blumarine promises a radical change, moving away from the Y2K aesthetic that recently defined the brand. His new, more sophisticated and mature direction will be one of the most talked-about and analyzed shifts of the season.

He continues to be the master of drama and theatricality at Maison Margiela. In a 2026 that seeks excitement, his collections are a masterclass in storytelling and excess, solidifying his status as a provocative genius.

Since Celine, Slimane has remained true to his rock and androgynous aesthetic, ignoring fleeting trends. His commercially successful yet critically divisive vision keeps him an unavoidable reference point for 'cool'.

As creative director of Diesel and Y/Project, Martens is the king of deconstruction and experimentation with denim. His ability to make complexity desirable positions him as a leader of the avant-garde for 2026.

With her eponymous brand, Philo opposes the speed of fashion with an intellectual and timeless luxury. Her return is a phenomenon that divides the industry between her devoted followers and those who question her business model.

At Bottega Veneta, Blazy has redefined "quiet luxury" with exceptional craftsmanship and a focus on quality. His success offers a counterpoint to the spectacle of fashion, sparking a debate about the true value of luxury.

His vision for Gucci, a departure from the previous maximalism, will be fully consolidated by 2026. His focus on a more classic and sensual luxury, embodied in 'Ancora Rosso', divides opinions but defines a new era for the brand.

The resurgence of the 'boho-chic' aesthetic at Chloé under his direction is one of the major trends of 2026. His nostalgic yet modern interpretation of the brand's femininity is generating renewed interest and debate.

As Sarah Burton's successor at Alexander McQueen, his vision is one of the most anticipated and analyzed. It is expected to recapture the rawness and provocation of the brand's beginnings, a decision that will undoubtedly be controversial.

He has revitalized Mugler with architectural and viral designs that radically celebrate the body. His bold and unapologetic approach makes him a key figure who constantly challenges the boundaries of fashion.

At the helm of Tom Ford, Hawkings faces the challenge of maintaining the brand's legacy of sensuality and glamour. His interpretation of opulence and sex appeal for 2026 will be crucial in defining the future of the label.

With his eponymous brand, he is a champion of fluid and sensual fashion that blurs gender boundaries. His explicit aesthetic and celebration of the body make him one of the most influential and discussed figures of his generation.

Her work at Carven is leading the renaissance of Parisian fashion houses with a focus on chic, wearable minimalism. Her pragmatic vision of luxury offers an alternative to extravagance, setting a key trend for 2026.

His appointment at Blumarine promises a radical change, moving away from the Y2K aesthetic that recently defined the brand. His new, more sophisticated and mature direction will be one of the most talked-about and analyzed shifts of the season.