Derek Lam to return to NYFW under new creative director
New York-based womenswear brand Derek Lam_ owned by Public Clothing Company_ has appointed Robert Rodriguez as its new creative director and plans to relaunch the brand_s mainline collection during New York Fashion Week in February.
Rodriguez_ an acclaimed designer known for his sophisticated yet effortless aesthetic merging tailoring with femininity_ will showcase his new vision for the Derek Lam Collection for autumn/winter 2026.
The creative director role at the label has been vacant since designer Derek Lam_s departure in 2023_ and Rodriguez has been brought on to helm all creative touchpoints_ including design direction_ product development_ and brand image as the label relaunches.
In a statement_ the Cuban-born and Miami-raised designer said he was drawn to the brand_s foundation in “modern American design and its quiet sophistication_” and saw an opportunity to reimagine Derek Lam_s codes “through a lens of timeless style and contemporary wearability”.
The Derek Lam Collection was founded by Lam in 2003_ offering a contemporary aesthetic defined by “modern minimalism_ subtle sophistication_ and effortless American ease”. Rodriguez is being tasked with balancing heritage and the evolution of the label by elevating the label with “a renewed sense of warmth_ texture_ and sensuality” that honours the brand_s refined_ minimalist roots.
Robert Rodriguez named creative director at Derek Lam
Danielle Alalu_ brand president of Derek Lam_ said in a statement: “We_re working to elevate design and innovation across categories and accelerate brand recognition and consumer engagement.
“As the marketplace has evolved_ we see an opportunity to bring back what was originally a designer collection in a more accessible way. Robert_s obsession with fit_ quality_ and design is exactly what Derek Lam needs to create a fresh point of view in the advanced contemporary space.”
The new vision for the Derek Lam Collection will emphasise “craftsmanship and the essence of understated American style_” within the contemporary brand space_ offering a collection that “feels both distinctly Derek Lam and unmistakably Robert Rodriguez”.
For his debut collection_ Rodriguez has drawn inspiration from New York City “and the women who move through it with quiet confidence_” as well as the “cast-iron facades_ worn stone streets_ and the procession of utilitarian objects throughout the city” to inform the season_s restrained yet expressive aesthetic.
Dan Shamdasani_ chief executive of Public Clothing Company_ added: “Robert brings a rare balance of creativity and commercial instinct. Alongside Danielle_s strategic leadership_ we now have a unified team ready to propel Derek Lam into its next chapter- building a modern American brand with global reach and enduring relevance.”
Following its NYFW debut_ the Derek Lam Collection brand will be relaunched in brand-owned direct-to-consumer channels_ with exclusive partnerships with top global retailers to be announced later this year. Pricing for the label will range between 295 and 1_295 US dollars. It will operate alongside Derek Lam 10 Crosby.