Zurich Fashion Week 2026: A New Chapter for Swiss Fashion

In February, we spent a few days at the first official edition of Zurich Fashion Week 2026, held at Kongresshaus Zurich. For us it wasn’t an attempt to compete with Paris or Milan, but it was something quieter and more interesting: an effort to build a platform rooted in Switzerland, yet open to dialogue.

Across ten runway shows and multiple side events, 26 designers presented their collections to an audience of around thousands of visitors. The atmosphere felt curious rather than exclusive. There was a clear intention to bring together fashion schools, independent designers, industry professionals, and the public - not as separate categories, but as parts of one evolving ecosystem.

Emerging Voices & Regional Dialogue

Designers from both German-speaking and French-speaking regions shared the stage, alongside selected international names from Germany, France, Belgium, Ghana, and Latvia. The mix felt intentional: strengthening Swiss design visibility while allowing space for exchange.

We observed collections engaging with sustainability, material experimentation and identity. Some shows leaned toward conceptual storytelling; others focused on more wearable silhouettes. The format extended beyond the traditional runway including talks, workshops, and a Pop-Up Market that allowed visitors to engage directly with designers.

The Pop-Up Market, in particular, created a different energy. Instead of fashion remaining on the runway, it moved into conversation. Designers presented their pieces, answered questions, and sold directly on site. It was more about access.

Sustainability as Practice, Not Aesthetic

One of the dedicated highlights was Sustainability Day. Several presentations addressed responsible production and long-term thinking in design not as a trend, but as structure. The conversations felt practical, sometimes imperfect. Sold-out shows confirmed that interest in responsible fashion in Switzerland is growing.

What we appreciated most was that the week positioned itself not as a rival to established fashion capitals, but as an independent platform. The first edition naturally had moments of learning, but beginnings are meant to be shaped.

Our Favourites

Among the designers that caught our attention were Modeco, OMBRE, JUDASSIME, Pavé Pavé and others, each approaching form and material with clarity. The students from fashion schools also brought a strong experimental edge, reminding us how important fashion education remains in shaping the next generation.

Zurich Fashion Week 2026 felt less like a polished final product and more like an open network. And perhaps that’s exactly what Switzerland’s fashion landscape needs right now: a structure that allows room to grow and evolve.

We left with the impression that this is only the beginning.

Courtesy of Zurich Fashion Week