Catherine Holstein envisioned a world where David Lynch reimagines a Merchant Ivory film, setting the tone for Khaite’s Fall/Winter 2025-2026 collection—a masterful blend of cinematic drama and pragmatic luxury.

Lynch’s signature darkness emerged through sleek leather, leopard-spot pony skin, and deconstructed corsets exuding a raw, undone elegance. In contrast, nods to period romance took form in lightly bustled dresses and sweeping silhouettes. Presented on a striking gold circle at the Park Avenue Armory—an understated reference to The Wizard of Oz, a Lynch favorite—the collection carried an air of intrigue and contradiction.

Amid the drama, Holstein ensured practicality prevailed. Dark-rinse jeans, sharply tailored trousers, and structured leather jackets reinforced Khaite’s signature New York edge. Distressed finishes and unraveling corsets infused an artisanal, DIY sensibility, subtly disrupting the brand’s polished aesthetic.

This season, Holstein continued to chart her own course, refining Khaite’s signature balance of independent spirit and refined craftsmanship—solidifying its place as a distinct force against its European luxury counterparts.