Jennie Kim, Kelsey Merritt, Milk Pansa and More Asian Style Stars Take Over the Big Apple for NYFW F/W26

From front-row flashes to sidewalk street style, New York buzzed with creative energy. This F/W26 season, Asian fashion powerhouses didn’t just attend the shows—they defined them, commanding attention across the city’s most coveted runways.

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Philippines

Model Kelsey Merritt kicked off the week with polished appearances at Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, and Carolina Herrera, while Fil-German creative Maureen Wroblewitz delivered sultry drama in black at L’AGENCE. Beauty queen and designer R’Bonney Gabriel made a strong statement in red and white at AKNVAS.

Internet personality Rachel “Valkyrae” Hofstetter stepped out in a sleek leather coat at Coach, while heiress Nikki Huang stunned in a floral skirt at Alice and Olivia. Meanwhile, photographer BJ Pascual showcased his signature bold flair at Cult Gaia, Bach Mai, and Prabal Gurung.

South Korea

Korean idols brought undeniable star power to the week. A standout moment came from Jennie Kim at Calvin Klein, whose relaxed yet tailored look sent camera flashes firing in every direction.

Members of (G)I-DLE, Jeon Soyeon and Song Yuqi, appeared at Coach and Tory Burch respectively, each presenting her own take on ethereal dressing. Kazuha of LE SSERAFIM made a memorable appearance at Khaite in an olive dress paired with a leather bolero.

At Ralph Lauren, singer-actress Kim Doyeon embodied romantic elegance in a wool top and coat finished with a lace kerchief, while Krystal Jung offered a striking contrast in a bold leather coat worn over a brassiere. Meanwhile, Bridgerton Season 4 leading lady Yerin Ha marked her NYFW debut at Proenza Schouler in a grey asymmetrical skirt punctuated with a pop of red.

Fashion mainstays Chriselle Lim and Aimee Song made their rounds at Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, and Ashlynn—each showcasing impressive range and versatility across multiple shows.

Thailand

Girls’ Love actress Milk Pansa was a vision in white at Calvin Klein, wearing a dress, pumps, and an off-white coat finished with a beret. Echoing the palette, actress Narana Erdyneeva appeared at Ralph Lauren in a similarly crisp white ensemble—minus the beret, but just as refined.

Japan

Singer-songwriter Lilas Ikuta brought grunge energy to Coach in a graphic dress, while Kiko Arai and Rila Fukushima crossed paths at Ralph Lauren—the former in white, the latter in rich brown wool.

Hong Kong and Malaysia

Fashion and beauty creator Steph Hui attended her first Ralph Lauren show in fringe before changing pace at Carolina Herrera in a black-and-gold dress. Singer-actress Kelly Chen leaned into period-inspired dressing at Ralph Lauren, finished with a belted silhouette and a wool coat.

Rounding out the week, Malaysian creator Mae Tan made a memorable entrance at Ralph Lauren in a striped ensemble accessorized with gloves, a scarf, and a beret.

As New York remains a crossroads of culture and creativity, Asia’s fashion voices continue to shape what style looks like next—bold, global, and impossible to ignore.

Featured Image and Photos: RALPH LAUREN, KELSEY MERRITT, MAUREEN WROBLEWITZ, NIKI HUANG, VALKYRAE, R’BONNEY GABRIEL, BJ PASCUAL, JENNIE KIM, SOYEON, PROENZA SCHOULER, YUQI, KRYSTAL JUNG, AIMEE SONG, KIM DOYEON, CHRISELLE LIM, KAZUHA, MILK PANSA, KIKO ARAI, LILAS IKUTA, RILA FUKUSHIMA, KELLY CHEN, STEPH HUI (via Instagram)

Moira Del Rosario

Digital Content Writer

Once immersed in fictional writing at UP Diliman, Moira del Rosario eventually traded imagined worlds for the fast-paced landscape of digital media as a Digital Content Writer for MEGA Asia, covering women’s stories across the region alongside the latest in beauty.

They spotlight women shaping culture today through profiles, exclusive features, and roundups on Asian representation at global fashion events. They also write about beauty through a growing lens—covering makeup, skincare, wellness, nails, and fragrance with curiosity and a strong eye for emerging trends.

Having worked in digital media for years, Moira is drawn to stories that beg to be unraveled—from the ever-changing landscape of pop culture and the inner workings of beauty to queer voices that deserve to be seen, celebrated, and championed.

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