While the gowns and silhouettes were unforgettable on their own, it was the hair and make-up at the 2026 Grammy Awards that revealed the true beauty trends of the season. From gravity-defying ponytails to soft waves and statement eyes, these are the red-carpet beauty moments that defined music’s biggest night.
Founded in Cape Town in 2015, Lukhanyo Mdingi stands at the intersection of craftsmanship, community and contemporary design. The eponymous label has carved out a distinctive identity rooted in research, intention and cultural grounding, offering a vision of luxury that is tactile, thoughtful and quietly powerful. At a time when fashion is increasingly reckoning with speed, excess and homogenisation, Mdingi proposes a slower, more considered alternative — one shaped by human connection, material honesty and emotional depth.
For decades, colour analysis has promised clarity, confidence and effortless style. Yet for many Black women, it has remained a system that rarely reflects them. Built largely around lighter skin tones, traditional colour frameworks have often failed to account for the depth, diversity and nuance of melanated skin. Inspired by educational insights shared by Colour Lab Stylist, a platform dedicated to inclusive colour analysis, we explore the four key elements shaping modern colour theory — contrast, chroma, undertone and seasonal palettes — and how they are transforming the way Black women understand beauty, fashion and self-expression.
Founded in Cairo, Egypt, Reform Studio stands at the intersection of sustainability, craftsmanship and contemporary design. The brand has carved out a distinctive identity rooted in upcycling, circular fashion and ethical production, proving that innovation and responsibility can coexist without compromise. At a time when fashion is reckoning with its environmental and social impact, Reform Studio offers a thoughtful alternative: one that prioritises intention over excess and meaning over mass production.
2026 is shaping up to be the year of bold chops, soft structure and statement silhouettes. Short hair is no longer about playing it safe – it’s about confidence, identity and embracing a look that feels unapologetically you. From sculpted bobs and feather-light textures to cropped cuts that command attention, this year’s short hairstyles bring drama, elegance and effortless cool in equal measure.
In fashion, few names conjure romance, grandeur and emotional storytelling quite like Valentino. In light of the designer’s passing, we look back at the maison’s most unforgettable dresses, creations that transcended red carpets and runways to become cultural moments in their own right.
Thimna Shooto is more than a familiar face on television — she is a symbol of self-belief in motion. Since winning Love Island South Africa in 2021, Thimna has used her platform to champion confidence, body positivity and a healthier, more compassionate relationship with fitness and self-image. Grounded in wellness yet deeply attuned to fashion and beauty, her approach to life is refreshingly guilt-free and unapologetically authentic.
Founded by Congolese designer Anifa Mvuemba, Hanifa has, since its inception, positioned itself as a brand for women without limits. The label speaks to women who take up space on their own terms, whether in boardrooms, creative industries, or on the world’s most visible stages. That ethos was powerfully underscored when Hanifa dressed Savannah James for the 2025 Met Gala, affirming the brand’s place in a global fashion conversation that celebrates ambition, presence and self-definition as inseparable from style. Rooted in heritage yet unbound by geography, Hanifa understands femininity not as limitation, but as limitless potential rendered through form, fit and intention.
If the Spring/Summer 2026 runways taught us anything, it’s that fashion in 2026 is nothing if not bold, expressive and unapologetically creative. From explosive bursts of colour to fresh silhouettes that redefine classic codes, designers across New York, London, Milan and Paris made one thing clear: fashion is leaning into joy, individuality and revisiting heritage with a playful wink. After scouring the catwalks, trend reports and fashion week highlights, here are the trends that will shape wardrobes around the world this year — runway first, street next.
