The creativity displayed at major international fashion in March will likely show up in interior design.

March was all about fashion. On runways across the globe—including Paris Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week—creativity showcased themes of layering, 90s minimalism, versatility, relaxed and practical pieces and colors like soft butter yellow and punchy accents of red. Vogue called these 2026 collections “fashion as feeling.”  

Expect to see these aesthetics show up in commercial interiors soon, if not months or years down the road.

Why? Fashion reflects societal, cultural and technological shifts—in color, texture, aesthetic preferences, mood and overall feeling. The runway, then, is a precursor to what happens in commercial interiors; sometimes, they run parallel, with each inspiring the other.

The recent backlash against fast fashion and concern about sustainability in the fashion industry inspired new fashion houses to embrace sustainability. Some design houses, like Colina Strada and In House, started incorporating leftover fabrics and biodegradable materials to reduce waste. That same concern over sustainability has echoed through workplace and commercial interiors, too, emerging as a top priority as design has embraced the use of reclaimed wood, recycled materials and low-waste construction. 

“Fashion captures evolving attitudes toward materiality, expression, and lifestyle, offering insight into how people want to present themselves and experience the world around them,” says interior designer Jessica Gracey, who sits on advisory board for NeoCon, the leading commercial interior design show held each June at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago.

Just as fashion is a form of self-expression and the way we dress tells a story about who we are—the same is true for workplaces, says Kenneth P. Baker, co‑regional managing principal of Gensler’s North Central Region.  

“Thoughtfully designed offices that reflect a company’s values and culture can give employees a genuine sense of pride in where they work and what they do, much like the confidence you feel in a perfectly tailored suit,” he says.

In workplace design, homogenized sameness is out. Authenticity, individuality, and diverse perspectives are in, much like what one would see at any global fashion week, he says. “Clients want spaces that feel local, distinctive, and genuinely reflective of the people who use them.”

Fashion creates a mood

The runway often inspires color moments or tactile details that show up in interiors and bring a sort of depth and personality to an environment. They also shape the mood and energy of a workspace.

“These elements influence how people perceive and interact with a space—what they see, touch, and feel ultimately informs behavior and atmosphere,” Gracey says. 

Take, for instance, a project recently completed by Sara Rezaeian, an architect at JPC Architects. She designed a wellness room for an anonymous client in Bellevue, Washington, with layered, calming textures— which are reflected on the 2026 runways. 

Her intent, she says, was to inspire visitors in the room to notice the layering and engage in the present moment instead of looking down at their phones.

Conversely, a bold palette seen in a fashion collection—bright, layered, and expressive—can inspire high-energy collaboration areas where color creates vibrancy and movement, Gracey says. 

Streetwear and Maximalism show up in interiors

Or in terms of feel, just look at the emergence of streetwear—those baggy silhouettes, graphic tees, hoodies, and sneakers that exude individualism, self-expression, and comfort. It undoubtedly influenced the industrial look of interiors, like concrete floors, exposed pipes and bold graphic walls.

Or take, for instance, Gucci’s impact, years later, on commercial interiors. The luxury fashion brand, under Alessandro Michele, drove a resurgence of “Maximalism,” or a trend of bold colors and patterns that reflected comfort, nostalgia and high-end drama. 

In 2024, commercial interior designers took inspiration from Maximalism, embracing 1970s earthtone colors and jewel accents of emerald green and citrine yellow and velvet.  The result that year was deeper, richer colors and textures for interiors.

The thread between commercial interiors and fashion is so tight that we’ve seen numerous partnerships between top fashion designers and interior manufacturers. Take for instance, Cortney Bishop, a Charleston-based interior designer who blends fashion with interiors. She debuted her first rug collection with Amadi Carpets that is designed to mimic timeless fashion pieces. Interior designer, Sasha Bikoff, also took cues from fashion runway icons with the launch of her line of wallpaper for S. Harris’s Fabricut.  

“Fashion, like art, invites interpretation,” says Gracey, “and when used as inspiration for interiors, it can be both bold and subtle, creating environments that spark emotion, connection, and engagement.”