When Heritage Met Fashion: Private Policy Gives a Night to Remember

Imagine walking into Webster Hall and suddenly it’s a full-on cultural fashion moment. Haoran Li launched his Fall 2026 show by Private Policy with just the vibe.

Words: Fatema Barwahwala Article Edits: Laura Casella Photo: Courtesy of Nowfashion / Private Policy FW26

Private Policy basically threw a Lunar New Year party disguised as a runway show. The guests were welcomed with boxes of Chinese food. Dinner and fashion? Simply iconic. The whole thing was a grand celebration, perfectly timed with the energy of the fire horse. The ambiance stunned with a cool and artistic setting set against the electric backdrop of Webster Hall. The space was transformed into a true melting pot, buzzing with energy and community spirit.

Haoran Li leaned into history, pulling from 19th-century Chinese immigrants who built the first transcontinental railway. But instead of going literal, he flipped it into elevated American workwear.

The cultural mix showed up all over the runway. Li wasn’t just designing clothes — he was blending histories. He took different aesthetics and subcultures and stitched them into one cohesive, city-ready wardrobe. Cowboy-style button-downs, sturdy silhouettes, and a color palette that felt grounded in washed green, canary yellow, sandy brown.

Photo: Courtesy of Nowfashion / Private Policy FW26

The show opened strong with that rich caramel leather moment. The cropped jacket with high boots and legs out gave a very “I just threw this on” but was clearly and carefully thought-out. The hood and scarf combination was effortlessly cool, adhering to the downtown mood.

Photo: Courtesy of Nowfashion / Private Policy FW26

Some dresses garnered attention with their playful, clean-cut design paired with tall boots, while others turned heads with their strong workwear energy. The strong boots, ever-present leather and just enough softness with minis and knits made heritage workwear polished and fashionable.

Models walked in American aesthetics, fast-forwarded into a digitally curious future. Classic wardrobe codes were reworked with an almost AI-informed edge — modern dressing with a twist. Structured yet surreal, the designs were smart and slightly tech-coded, and the audience was clearly eating it up.

Photo: Courtesy of Nowfashion / Private Policy FW26

Then came the ‘80s energy. Big shoulders, longer lines and slightly exaggerated shapes showcased the influence of power dressing and avant-garde Asian design. It felt less dated and more like a remix.

Adding to its glory were the accessories that quietly stole the show. Statement footwear, sculptural handbags and sharp eyewear were integral to the narrative, giving each look an artistic gloss. Nothing felt random — every detail looked thought-out and not just thrown on. 

Photo: Courtesy of Nowfashion / Private Policy FW26

The details did a lot of talking, too. The Chinese knot fastenings on the trucker jackets popped up and kept the cultural fusion front and center without being loud about it.

While the confident couture and artistic accessories played their part well, it was the mood that made the show a 10/10 moment. The soundtrack started with metal clanging and train sounds, then suddenly switched into EDM -- going from industrial to nightlife in seconds. And it worked wonders.

Photo: Courtesy of Nowfashion / Private Policy FW26

Private Policy delivered more than just another fashion show. It felt like a visually rich, very ‘now’ moment on a runway, bringing entire communities together.