At Altuzarra’s Spring/Summer 2026 runway, attendees were compelled to look twice. Abstracted designs revealed meticulously embroidered florals upon closer inspection. Flowing silhouettes were reigned in using belts adorned with organic hardware. Three-dimensional appliques appeared to bloom on dresses, inspired by Joseph Altuzarra’s children’s collage art. 

Inspiration for the collection was drawn from a “fleeting image, caught in the periphery — something that looks familiar, but upon closer inspection, is subtly, even absurdly, off,” Altuzarra said in a statement. Despite the lineup’s plethora of natural motifs, it is unified by another underlying theme — dissonance. A culture becoming increasingly steeped in AI-generated images demands a collection that makes you ask: “What exactly am I looking at?” 

While designed with the intent to raise eyebrows, the collection doesn’t sacrifice its commercial appeal. The first look’s modern, black balloon pant and belted leather jacket are far from inaccessible. The beloved Origami bag is reimagined; a black satin clutch variation was paired with a feathered floor-length dress. Suede and leather jackets with deep funnel necks and large front pockets were a highlight — the pieces maintained a structured appearance while still leaning slightly into the absurd. 

The presentation, which took place for the third time in a row in the Woolworth Building, balanced drama and eccentricity. Classic feminine tropes were reshaped and disrupted without losing their appeal. Through designs intended to elicit a calculated sense of distortion, Altuzarra further redefines the modern woman’s wardrobe.