MILAN & PARIS SS26
Fran, founder of MOYA reflects on a Fashion Week full of inspiration.
What We Saw & What They Wore.
This September/ October’s buying trip to Milan and Paris was about discovery. Visiting new designers, seeing our favourite labels' new collections, and understanding how each city is dressing for the season ahead. Between appointments, we walked, watched, and absorbed. What people wear in these cities always tells you as much as what’s on the racks and what’s in the shows.
Notes on Summer 2026 trends.
Across both cities, a few themes stood out while we were enjoying soaking up the new collections. Natural fabrics mainly, cotton, linen, and light knits are central, while denim continues in all categories. Fabrics made their own statements, rich in texture and depth: brocade, tapestry-like weaves, heavily textured cottons, and knits with fringe or hairy finishes, embellished fabrics of all weights from organza through to wools. Crochet remained relevant, and suede has now taken the lead over leather across many collections. Shapes are fluid but defined, the kind of structure that moves with the body.
The strongest colour stories continue around Butter, Browns, and Olive, now accented by fresh Wild Tangerine and Soft Blue. Shirtmaker dresses were everywhere in every form. Skirts, slide into domination reimagined in softer fabrications, twisted through the centre front of straight silhouettes, to give a sarong effect or in crisp fabrics cut into clean A-line shapes. Both directions felt modern and wearable, a subtle evolution rather than a reinvention.
The underlying message was creative contrast, the kind of mix that keeps dressing modern. A sports top with a leather or suede skirt; soft with structured, casual with refined. I saw a woman in the markets in a sequin skirt with a stripe cotton shirt she looked extraordinary. It’s this juxtaposition that we all know and love to create a fresh new look.
Cropped Jackets in every version, from boxy, swing, or bomber, were in every collection and seen on all the style mongers. Layered over longer shirts or worn neatly with a mini skirt as a suit.
In shoes, the ballet flat merging with the sneaker is the newest and coolest look. Still easy and comfortable with a feminine elegance. Pumer, Miu Miu and Patricia Pepe had perfected this look. The low profile sneakers are everywhere in all colours and animal prints. Moccasins have evolved to a handmade looking soft collapsing leather or pony skin with heavy blanket stitching. The high summer sandal is now the elevated thong, often with a heel. Bags are harking back to the 50’s with sharp, clean shapes in boardy leather, think Mad Men. For the more casual look, Raffia detailed bags are even stronger for SS26.
For us at MOYA, style lives in the everyday. In pieces that move with you and feel as good as they look. We’re drawn to clean lines, natural fabrics, and subtle detail, the kind that speaks quietly but lasts. Inspired by cities that do effortless dressing best, we’re curating what’s next: Anine Bing lands this November, with Blazé Milano to follow in 2026.
Milan; Fashion, Food & Fun
Milan moves at a quiet rhythm. The city feels composed, elegant, without effort, direct without rush. People dress with structure: pressed cotton, clean silhouettes, neutral tones punctuated by something unexpected, an amazing bag, a super cool shoe, or large gold earrings, even at breakfast. And it is all done with confident ease and edge.
Convivium in Brera was a favourite. A recommendation that we were pleased with was given to us by a friendly stranger in the street. It was formal but never stiff, with a quiet atmosphere that was peaceful after a busy day. The ossobuco was taste perfection, the Milanese risotto, buttery and yum, and the sardines were fresh, lightly battered, and delicious. We hadn’t booked, arriving around 8 pm, peak time in Milan, but luck was on our side; there were a few tables that remained free, as if waiting for us.
Lunch at Obicà Cusani, was the opposite mood: busy, casual, full of energy. We waited about twenty minutes for a table and didn’t mind at all. Watching the crowd, locals in navy blazers, tourists in wild sneakers, was part of the fun. The pizza was excellent, the sardine croquette, frankly, the best I have ever had. A fast and delicious chain that is always reliable.
At Il Barreto, in the city centre, the people watching was unmatched. Someone described it as “The Real Housewives of Milano,” and they were right. It’s the kind of place where everyone looks ready for a camera. I tried not to stare, but definitely did.
Later, we found a small wine bar in a little side street, Via S Maurilio, run by a former Sicilian football player, tall, warm, and charismatic. The space was relaxed, the wine list was good, and the music even better. It’s the kind of place you’d return to on instinct.
Paris: Fashion, Food & Fun.
Paris always feels more spontaneous. Appointments here are layered between cafés, small wine bars, and unexpected corners of conversation. This city dresses differently, still polished, but with more movement: denim, silk, and designer shoes, add a scarf tied with a sophisticated c’est la vie.
Terra Bar à Vin, in Le Marais, was recommended by Madi Davies, it served small plates of modern French food, like tapas, but distinctly Parisian, and yummy. The room was tiny and alive with energy. They run two sittings and mean it. Our 7 pm table ended at 9 on the dot.
Roger la Grenouille in Saint-Germain, was a slower experience. Relaxed, with an old-world ambience, and the food is deeply traditional French. The ambience was unhurried, the service charmingly French (our waiter was young, cheeky, and disarmingly polite). We had a Saturday lunch booking and lingered longer than planned. All the dishes that we chose were delectable, with kind service, and a calm setting, it was ideal for the final day of a very full week.
Our last night was Bar Freddie’s, the little sister to the famed Semilla — and right next door, in Saint-Germain. No booking policy, so we arrived early, left our name, and waited at a nearby bistro. The food was worth every minute of the wait, thoughtful, modern, perfectly balanced. Dessert was a standout: lemon cheesecake on almond crumble with berry compote and a basil leaf. Simple, clever, and delicious.
Among all the appointments, I managed to take a drive to Giverny, where Monet lived and painted for forty-three years. His gardens are still a masterpiece, lush, layered, and alive with colour. It’s an inspiring, peaceful detour, where the palette of Summer 2026 suddenly made perfect sense: nature at its most composed and expressive.
I also stopped by the temporary LV Dream exhibition at 26 Quai de la Mégisserie. A thoughtful walk through Louis Vuitton’s history and its Art Deco beginnings. From the brand’s earliest leather luggage to its present day identity as a global symbol of luxury, it was a reminder of how craftsmanship and style endure through change and time
The Mood for Summer 2026
Across both cities, a few themes stood out. Natural fabrics are returning, cotton, linen, and light knits are central. The colour palette is grounded: brown, sand, stone, soft blue, with flashes of citrus and corals. Shapes are fluid but defined, the kind of structure that moves with the body.
This translates into clean silhouettes, breathable fabrics, and quiet detail. At MOYA, pieces are made to be worn, not just seen, modern clothes for real life, informed by the cities that do it best.