Why fringe is fashion’s boldest trend in 2026

After seasons of stark minimalism and a quiet luxury approach to dressing, the fun and flirty fringe is now enjoying the spotlight: as seen at the recently concluded New York and London Fashion Week, and also on the BAFTA red carpet where Nigerian-British actor Wunmi Mosaku sported a cobalt blue one-shoulder gown with dramatic fringe detailing by British designer Priya Ahluwalia. More recently, Angelina Jolie’s red carpet return for her latest film Couture’s premiere in Paris had her in an ankle-length nude mesh dress festooned in silver sequined flowers and beaded fringe.

Actor Kriti Sanon in a creation by Manish Malhotra
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

At the New York Fashion Week Fall Winter 2026-27 showcase, Proenza Schouler’s artistic director Rachel Scott reimagined the house’s signature fringe sending out half-cut fringe across a series of finale gowns. At the London Fashion Week, Burberry played with sparkly fringe which was crafted to evoke streaks of rain seen across evening dresses, tailored coats and skirts. Moreover, fringe also appeared at Coach, Ralph Lauren and Erdem who extrapolated it in their distinctive handwriting.

From Chanel’s Spring-Summer 2026 collection
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Indian designers like Manish Malhotra and Kresha Bajaj experimented with fringe with a decidedly maximalist approach at the recently-concluded Dubai Fashion Week. Manish presented his showstopper Kriti Sanon in a pearl-trimmed ensemble and Kresha’s evening dresses came alive with metallic tassels which swished and whooshed as her models glided past the runway.

A creation by Manish Malhotra
| Photo Credit:
photo: Carlo Scarpato / Gorunway.com

Manish sees fringes and tassels becoming more fluid and refined. The designer who recently used them in his  Inaya collection, predicts them evolving in lighter, more elegant ways. “Less heavy, more movement-driven, almost like jewellery in motion,” he says. 

A creation by Manish Malhotra
| Photo Credit:
photo: Carlo Scarpato / Gorunway.com

Let fringe be the hero

Manish suggests keeping the rest of the look clean and balanced, and let the fringes be the hero. “Even when they’re not the main focus, they work beautifully in complementing an outfit — adding movement and texture,” he adds. 

The key is styling them smartly. Pair them with minimal jewellery and modern silhouettes so the fringes feel effortless, elegant and never overpowering. Kresha seconds that. “ If you’re wearing a strong fringe piece, let it be the protagonist. Keep the rest clean. Sharp hair, minimal jewellery, confident footwear,” she says.  

An outfit by Kresha Bajaj
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The drama should come from how the garment reacts to your body, adds Kresha. “For bridal wear, a corseted blouse with tonal bead fringe worn with a clean lehenga feels modern without being overwhelming. And for evening wear, metal or mirror fringe works beautifully with monochrome styling. Let the texture catch the light instead of adding colour chaos,” she notes. 

An outfit by Kresha Bajaj
| Photo Credit:
photo: Alessandro Viero / Gorunway.com

And most importantly, fringe and tassels need space. It needs air. “Don’t overcrowd it with layering unless the intention is maximalist. Let it move. That’s where its power lies,” she suggests.

Not just embellishments

Fringe has evolved from being just a decorative movement. In fact, it is shaping up to become a structure.  Kresha observes that tassels were earlier used to soften a look or add fluidity. Now, they are being given a playful treatment in a wide array of materials like metals and leather. “You’ll see metal fringes, mirror strips, leather corded tassels, even beaded strands that behave almost like armour. It’s less flirty, more powerful,” she says.

From Chanel’s Spring-Summer 2026 collection
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Kresha says she anticipates upcoming collections using fringe will be layered, denser, sometimes tonal, and also sharply contrasted at times so it feels graphic. Another big shift is placement. Instead of the obvious hemlines, you’ll see fringe defining shoulders, cutting across corsetry, tracing the spine, or forming sculptural capes,” she adds.

An outfit by Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

A study of movement

Designer Rahul Khanna of label Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna points out that fringe has never been an embellishment for the design house but a study of movement against structure. “In 2026, we see it becoming more architectural, less bohemian and more deliberate,” says Rahul. 

An outfit by Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna
| Photo Credit:
shivamm paathak

The emphasis is shifting from excess to precision. Fringes or tassels are no longer just employed to amp up the drama but to lend garments a vibrant finish. Designers like Simone Rocha and Erdem have integrated fringe into lace, tulle and jacquard thus blurring the line between embroidery, weave and fringe. Even while referencing western-inspired fringe, brands like Coach are refining it into cleaner cuts and sharper silhouettes. Moreover, fringe has also become a vessel for sustainable storytelling with brands like Ahluwalia (helmed by Priya Ahluwalia) employing upcycled fringe from fabric waste.

An outfit by Manish Malhotra
| Photo Credit:
photo: Carlo Scarpato / Gorunway.com

Fringe has come a long way — from being a synonym of the Jazz Age, to being a modern artisanal texture used by global brands and celebrity stylists for layered storytelling and craft-led innovation. It would be interesting to see how this fashion’s favourite insignia evolves in the coming season.

Published – March 09, 2026 02:11 pm IST