By Jesse Scott
Loro Piana welcomed us onto an international train journey for an AW26 collection that celebrated nomadic lifestyles while simultaneously paying tribute to the Maison’s rich history of collaboration with artisans from around the world. Paisley, proposed in a variety of patterns, centered a presentation that recalled the iconic Orient Express and the romance of Silk Road adventures. Impeccably dressed yet effortlessly cool, this season the Loro Piana woman uses the train platform as her personal runway. She arrives to the station with a selection of trunks, a hat which anchors her ensemble despite being thrown on as an afterthought, and a several-layer outfit versatile enough to serve her on the steppes of Central Asia, in the highlands of Peru, or amidst Vienna’s Baroque architecture. Cohesive, innovative, and self-assured, the collection united modernity with tradition and stands as Loro Piana's strongest from recent seasons.
Loro Piana Women's Fall/Winter 2026-2027: Looks 4, 41 (Images courtesy of Loro Piana)
‘Every Silence, A Kind of Grace’
This was not your typical fashion presentation. Upon entering the Loro Piana headquarters, guests, as if in an art gallery, encountered a series of poems written in graceful calligraphy. During a week of sensory overload, this room offered a much-need respite… and an opportunity to reset while re-acquainting ourselves with the “slow fashion” and timeless values that have always defined the Maison. My personal favorite poem began: “Summer lingers in the skin, the air holds its warmth, though light begins to turn” Simultaneously optimistic, melancholic, and delightfully Lana del Rey (think “Dark Paradise”), it evoked the yearning associated with travel while orienting us to view a collection in which every detail was intentional. The hallway leading us to the collection was constructed as a train carriage, complete with brass handrails. Emerging into the main presentation space, which was resplendent in sumptuous colors, was profoundly soothing. It felt as if we were on a long train journey watching the world go by with our favorite comfort album (for me, Lana Del Rey’s “Honeymoon”) in our headphones.
Loro Piana Men's Fall/Winter 2026-2027: Looks 6, 10, 22 (Images courtesy of Loro Piana)
Hats were a primary theme of the collection. While SS26 headwear was defined by exaggerated silhouettes, this season saw Loro Piana propose a selection of pieces that walked an impeccable line between innovation and timelessness. The bag offerings were also exceptional, as travel-ready duffels were complemented by sleek cigarette/lipstick pouches perfect for a night on the town. Meanwhile, jeweled details and unexpected patterns, including a dramatically embroidered collar on a topcoat, added personality without sacrificing sophistication.
Loro Piana Women's Fall/Winter 2026-2027: Looks 1, 30 (Images courtesy of Loro Piana)
The rich color palette was rooted in ochre and terracotta, with touches of anthracite, marigold, tundra, and midnight blue. Whether in bold paisley patterns or simple prints, each piece was possessed of the particular refined ambience that reminded me of why Loro Piana remains the last word in quiet luxury.
Ever since I was a young boy, I have romanticized the concept of “take-off songs:” that specific tune that we want in our headphones as we take flight to a new destination or a new era in life. Sacred, but most definitely profane, my take-off songs have led me through Samarkand, Istanbul, Vienna, Jaipur, and many other cities along the old Silk Road. Walking through the Loro Piana presentation, each of these cities, and their corresponding songs, flashed before my eyes. To touch the fabrics was indeed to be lulled into a nostalgic reverie. In an age in which the joie de vivre that once defined luxury train travel has been replaced by metal detectors and regimented rules, this was a desperately needed reprieve.