10 Things You Might Have Missed This Week: Watches, Art, and Carnivals

McQueen releases pre-fall, Coach announces Brain Dead collaboration, and more.

Last week the city was filled with plenty of fashion and celebrities courtesy of the Met Gala and this week, New York City finds itself in the thick of the art scene, with the likes of Frieze, NADA, and the Independent Art Fair happening simultaneously. So consider Wednesday night’s Christian Louboutin’s dinner and show, that melded both worlds, a perfectly timed event. Speaking of happenings, Coach staged a carnival to announce their collaboration with Los Angeles-based cult label Brain Dead while another team up, Audemars Piguet and Swatch, proceeded to turn the watch world upside down. And for those who are looking to jump ahead, McQueen dropped their pre-fall campaign, as a little tease for warm weather haters.

McQueen Pre-Fall 2026 Breaks Through the Summer Heat

Yes, it’s not even summer yet but McQueen is already looking ahead to the cooler months with the release of their pre-fall 2026 collection. Under the direction of Seán McGirr, the looks balance tailoring with fluid movement and softened structures. Crisp fabrics and earthy tones like ochre and smoke grey frame a contemporary wardrobe where suits, shirts, and denim are reimagined. Harness detailing and corset lacing are loosened and undone, while knitwear is draped to capture the rhythm of modern city life. Accessories with the archival wishbone motifs appear across leather bags, statement loafers, and intricately detailed jewelry that merges nature-inspired symbolism with elegance.

A Sneaker Made For K-Pop Fans

The Louis Vuitton Buttersoft Sneaker marks a new collaboration between creative director Pharrell Williams and house ambassador J-Hope (of BTS fame), blending craftsmanship with Pharrell’s signature style. Originally designed as a custom piece for the K-pop star’s world tour, the 2000s-inspired silhouette combines ultra-soft calf suede, hand-finished detailing, and a sporty aesthetic that prioritizes comfort. With its rose and white colors, it’s meant to reflect J-Hope’s personality, while details like ‘Your, My Hope’ lace tips and hidden squirrel and acorn charms offer subtle nods to him and his fans. First unveiled in late 2025, the sneakers are available now, following an exclusive prelaunch in South Korea back at the end of March.

Christian Louboutin Gives New Meaning to Dinner and a Show

It’s currently art week in New York, with the likes of the Frieze, NADA, and the Independent Art Fair happening simultaneously. In honor of the creative energy buzzing around the city Christian Louboutin staged an intimate dinner and performance in collaboration with multidisciplinary artist Malù dalla Piccola. Guests headed up to the United Palace, a historic theater in Washington Heights to find themselves a part of the show. Kicking off with a dancer clad in the brand’s ballet-inspired shoes, a long table was set on stage blurring the lines between actors and spectators. As each course was served in a suitably theatrical fashion, the first of four performances began with what dalla Piccola calls “Table Talk”, an interactive piece in conjunction with Ekaterina Shcherbakova while a later work turned interactive, using real time footage of guests at the table. But perhaps the most dramatic of them was saved for last, as a dancer clad in red shoes (a nod to the 1948 film by the same name) clambered up on the table, perfectly executing pirouettes and arabesques. With a meal curated by Thu Pham Buser and guests that included Sabine Getty, Anh Duong, Angelica Hicks, and more, it was indeed a perfect melding of fashion and art.

Coach Announces a Collaboration With Brain Dead

You might not be familiar with Brain Dead but the Los Angeles-based label has a cult following for its irreverent approach to design that mines everything from the great outdoors to horror movies to board games. Coach has tapped them for a collaboration and in honor of that announcement, the two transformed the Highline Stages into a mini carnival complete with rides, games, and mini golf. Featuring clever mascots and reimagined logos dreamed up by co-founder and creative director Kyle Ng alongside Coach’s creative director Stuart Vevers, the night was punctuated by a two minute runway show that highlighted key looks from the upcoming drop. Consisting of pleated skirts, dresses and gingham dresses, there were also graphic tees, skater shorts, and denim jackets. Accessories included remixed versions of the Tabby bag, covered in patches plus fun takes on other popular styles like the Waverly and Empire. With the likes of Troye Sivn, Lourdes Leon, and Suni Lee in attendance, the night was a nostalgic romp. As for the collab, find it online and in stores on May 29th, although if you’re in London, it’ll be at Selfridges for the next two weeks as an exclusive preview.

Balenciaga Jets Off

Speaking of sneakers, Balenciaga’s not ready to say goodbye to the chunky silhouette quite yet. The brand released their Jet style, which was first seen as a part of their fall 2026 collection, “Body and Being.” The futuristic silhouette merges athletic references with deconstructed couture detailing, featuring exposed stitching, raw edges, and an inside-out design. With a layered sole, elastic slip-on lacing system, textured upper crafted with recycled polyester elements, and a range of monochrome and pastel colorways for both men and women, you can shop it here.

A Scholarship For Budding Jewelry Designers

Last year Tiffany & Co. and Council of Fashion Designers of America teamed up to create the aptly named Tiffany & Co. x CFDA Jewelry Designer Award. And this year they’re adding on a secondary initiative: the Jewelry Design Scholar Award, which will provide one early-career student designer with a $25,000 scholarship and a summer internship within the brand’s design department. As for the original program, the details remain the same: finalists will receive mentorship, funding to create a capsule collection, and the opportunity to present their work at the brand’s iconic Fifth Avenue flagship, with one recipient earning a $50,000 grant and a year-long fellowship. Jameel Mohammed, last year’s winner, will join the selection committee alongside industry figures including Gabrielle Union and Andrew Bolton.

Loro Piana Announces the Winners of the Knit Design Award 2026

Established in 2016 the Loro Piana Knit Design Award is meant to celebrate and uplift the next generation of designers. This year’s prize went to Viola Schmidt and Halla Lilja Ármannsdóttir of The Swedish School of Textile. With the theme being Knitting Light – Craft on the Evolution of Colour, the winners achieved their goals in interpreting the brief by innovating through exceptional craftsmanship and compelling storytelling. This prestigious prize can change a young designer’s life — not only do recipients receive a trophy, but most importantly a scholarship and work experience at the brand. Schmidt and Ármannsdóttir will have the opportunity to complete their design projects at Loro Piana’s knitwear workshops in Piedmont, in collaboration with artisans and masters of the craft. In addition, the finished works will be showcased at the Pitti Filati, a knitting and yarn fair, in Florence from June 24th through the 26th. 

Royal Pop Combines Craftsmanship and Color

The internet went wild as Swatch announced an unexpected collaboration with Audemars Piguet. Inspired by both Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak collection, which launched in 1962, and the Swatch Pop watch which dominated the 1980s, the two created a series of eight bioceramic pocket watches. Combining pop-culture and fine watchmaking, consider this a “high-low” mix that comes on the heels of Swatch’s equally as popular link up with Omega. Meant to be worn however you wish, be around your neck, on your wrist, in your pocket or attached to a handbag, the Royal Pop is limitless.

Ginori 1735 Sets Sail

The Florence-based homeware brand, Ginori 1735 just released its Terrace collection, a first-of-its-kind design concept coming alive aboard the The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Where hospitality meets decorative arts, this line draws from the Il Viaggio di Nettuno porcelain collection, designed by Luke Edward Hall. Each space on the board is inspired by the different color codes of the brand. While the pool house is rendered in soft and saturated blues, the open-air dining destination, Mistral, is adorned in warm citrus tones of mandarin, coral, and blush. Mythological figures and fantastical sea creatures decorating the tableware, glassware, and design accents, adding a playful layer to life onboard. Consider this a vacation befitting a true design lover. 

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