TAOTTAO CELEBRATES 2010s NOSTALGIA AT NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
At the public transportation’s busiest time during rush hour came a fashion show like no other. Under a hidden theater in Midtown lay a shimmering disco ball and whispers of excitement for what the night may bring. Guests filed into their seats, for iridescent lighting reminiscent of the indie club scene and a mysterious red curtain awaited them.
On February 16, Taottao’s Yitao Li closed out New York Fashion Week with an unforgettable night. Since 2022, the New York-based brand has never shied away from its playful identity, but their latest runway looks brought something much more magical with it.
The Fall Winter 2026 collection feels like the celebration of a new era, with vibrant color schemes and intriguing silhouettes filling the room. As each model made their grand entrance through a red stage curtain, every attendee was immersed in a more grown-up game of dress up.
PATTERNS AND PATTERNS, OH MY!
Just as polka dots have taken over everyone’s wardrobe, there’s a new but familiar pattern coming back and here to stay. For centuries, plaid has been used as a mark of elite status or preppy aesthetics. Often seen as a way to keep things uniform, Li put her own fairytale spin on the fabric. Almost every look had a splash of neon coloring added, making the collection that much more fun to see. Taottao proved the versatility of neon plaid in more ways than one.
A coordinated set, featuring a matching zip-up and skirt with teal tones, captured a sweet balance of comfort and style. Bold but practical, both pieces were made for a true “hot girl walk” outside this season. We’re certainly putting our headphones on and manifesting this outfit straight into our wardrobes.
No wardrobe is ever complete without at least one statement piece hidden in the back of a drawer, patiently awaiting a classic city night out. Taottao has us covered with this flowy tube top, complete with a criss-cross plaid design. Composed of bright pinks and yellows, this option is perfect for those looking to have a casual but subtle pop of color. Paired with bright blue eyeshadow, you can’t help but think of Mia Goth’s infamous character, Maxine Minx, from the horror film X if she were to visit a disco club.
For a more fancy but laid-back approach, the mesh short sleeve shirt with shades of green and teal plaid creates a relaxing illusion on the eyes. Paired on top of a beige a-line skirt with cushion-like texture, it’s the perfect stay-at-home fit, but better.
With Taottao throwing the ultimate birthday celebration on the last day of fashion week, why not unleash your inner party animal too? According to all sources, we heard zebra print is going to be the next big thing to come back from the 2010s. From sparkly capes and bedazzled belts to glossy tights, any shiny accessory paired with the pattern will do. By combining classics with new textures like velour and sequin, Li isn’t recycling past trends — she’s renewing them.
A COOL-TONED WONDERLAND
Taottao believes being in the spotlight isn’t just about being brighter in color, but shinier in texture as well. Beloved metallic shades like silver have commonly been seen in jewelry pieces, but Li’s making a bigger statement by carrying them to everyday garments directly.
Even with an oversized white fur coat, every attendee’s eyes went straight for the mixed plaid mini dress in the center. The light seemed to bounce off the piece extravagantly, reminding us of the importance it plays in evening wear. With yellow and purple bang clips, the look was a striking combination of being in the middle of a “Get Ready With Me (GRWM)” routine with a confident attitude.
From anywhere in the room, the glow of metallic fabrics could be seen. On a fur-lined hoodie jacket, the look became an instant yet effortless staple in a cool girl’s wardrobe. This trend draws from reimagined velour tracksuits of the 2000s, giving them a fresh 21st-century twist. Looking to have a more playful style this Fall? Taottao’s silver tank top is exactly what you need, colorfully lined with bow details creating the illusion of a tie down the center.
Bring out all the cool-toned fanatics to the floor, because there’s a new color combo bound to take over your closet soon. While falling into the rabbit hole of Taottao’s fantasy world, we spotted variations of green and purple highlighted as the perfect duo.
Denim jackets are timeless, but detailed outerwear is just so much more fun to wear. With funky spiral illustrations on both sides, the curvatures on the bottom are perfectly tailored to complement every waist. Complete with a green glitter belt and purple satin skirt, its asymmetrical shape added flair to every movement.
Dramatic sleeves have been all the rage this fashion week, and it certainly doesn’t end here. Paired with a matching silver skirt and tights, a purple puff-sleeve fur jacket made its chilling entrance. Coated with pastel star and heart charms, it was a sprinkle of magic needed to complement the collection. With iridescent cheeks and doll-like eyelashes, this is a certified look for all the Bratz-coded dolls in real life.
EVERYONE NEEDS TO GET MORE WHIMSY NOW
We all know that feeling of desperately trying to find the perfect accessory to complete a look. But this season, we’re leaving minimalism behind and forgetting “less is more”. Standout pieces were spotted everywhere, but Taottao introduced us to our new favorites.
Taking a new spin on the shape of classic hand gloves, an array of party ribbons were tied together instead. Against a darker green dress with swirl-shaped shoulder pads, its pastel colors stood out for all the right reasons. Looking like a sophisticated version of a wrapped present, it’s a sprinkle of joy you can give yourself.
If Taottao’s show solidified one thing, it’s that an “emotional support bow” is not a want — it’s a need. Presenting an all-purple outfit mixing satin and sequin, a life-sized bow was held at the side where you would normally place a purse. Surrealism has always been seen in creative spaces like online advertisements, but bringing common objects to life on a larger scale is a different craft in itself. Taottao took on the challenge to create a bold and magical twist on the coquette aesthetic.
In a teal fur top made fit for a princess with attitude, the giant birthday cake prop caught everyone’s eyes upon entrance. Easily one of the more playful moments of the night, guests got to see the dessert up close and make a wish that it would end up in their closet soon after. Golden slippers made to look like tassel decorations sealed the deal that with Taottao, it feels like a party every day.
Yitao Li threw the ultimate fashion finale, but left us with a few life lessons too. Sometimes you need to get your mind off all your worries, troubles, or problems and just go all out. Beyond all the microtrends, make your style a celebration of your own life, however you interpret it. In an industry where everything’s often taken seriously, Taottao embraces all things whimsy and makes everything fun again. Besides, what better time is there to invest in your inner child than right now?
Want to find more global talent in fashion? Check out EnVi’s recap on FANG.NYC’s newest collection!
