Nardos Imam Unveils Bespoke Collection 'The Infinite Banquet' at NYFW Fall/Winter 2026

Ethiopian-born designer Nardos Imam presented her Fall 2026 Bespoke Collection, 'The Infinite Banquet,' at New York Fashion Week this week, hosting the runway show at The Plaza Hotel. The collection centered on themes of legacy, heritage, and connection, using the symbolism of a shared dinner table as its foundation. 'The Infinite Banquet is a life where presence, legacy, and human connection never run out,' Imam said. 'You're not merely a guest at the table--you are its very soul.' The lineup featured sculptural, architectural silhouettes, including exaggerated peplums, asymmetrical waists, and flowing capes. Imam described the pieces as wearable art designed to place the wearer at the center of her own story. Drawing on her experience as a first-generation immigrant, Imam explored the idea of building heritage without inherited traditions, weaving personal history into the craftsmanship of each gown. Floral motifs--reimagined as intricate 3D appliqués--appeared throughout the collection. A bold color palette dominated the runway, with rich red emerging as a key theme. The show concluded with a wedding gown, offering a celebratory finish to the presentation.