Words: Mix Cacho-Negrete

I truly believe Lafayette 148 will have a legacy as one of the chicest brands of our time. Known as a quiet luxury staple, FAULT had the pleasure of attending their Fall Winter 2026 presentation, which also marked the brand’s 30th anniversary in business. The collection reflected their long standing place in the market as a dependable brand for women who want to feel put together, comfortable, and refined.

Creative Director Emily Smith, who has been with the brand for over twenty years, demonstrated her deep understanding of the Lafayette 148 identity in this anniversary collection. Staples such as cosy knitwear, suit sets, and easy to mix and match neutral colour schemes formed the core of the line.

Moreover, there were elements of this collection that truly addressed what has been missing for the woman on the go: silhouettes that are easy to move in, yet feature intricate details that give each look individuality. For example, their two piece skirt sets remain true to the brand identity, but this season they appeared in unique embossed leather, leather with silver studs, and soft brown suede. The same evolution applied to their eveningwear. There was more lace, sparkle, and floral detailing than I have seen from the brand before, yet the classic tailoring remained consistent. Smith did an excellent job of showcasing the brand’s dependable structures while modernising the artistic features consumers seek when investing in statement pieces.

There is something especially distinctive about the construction of Lafayette pieces, particularly their winterwear. As I walked around their Soho store, where the presentation took place, I found myself wanting every coat and sweater. The coats came in easy to style yet elevated tones such as olive green, camel, and dark brown. One fuzzy coat struck the perfect balance between cosy and warm, alongside a sleek black leather option. Many of the coats also featured detachable scarves styled high and draped around the neck, a subtle detail that elevated each look even further.

When speaking with Smith, I told her one word comes to mind when I think of Lafayette 148: timeless. She agreed wholeheartedly and remains committed to making the brand wearable for women throughout every stage of their lives. As I looked around the room, I was struck by how easily fashion icons of today, such as Hailey Bieber, or icons of the 1990s like Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, could wear these pieces as part of their latest street style moment, inspiring women around the world to replicate the look. The pieces were that chic, that well made, and, as you might expect, that timeless.

Here is to another 30 years of Lafayette 148.