Welcome to this week’s edition of AMP3PR Trend Watch, your curated guide to the cultural moments shaping fashion, beauty, travel, entertainment, and technology. As one of the best PR agencies in NYC and a trusted partner among top PR firms in New York, AMP3 PR tracks emerging conversations and consumer behavior in real time.
This roundup breaks down how trends continue to evolve across fashion, beauty, luxury travel, and entertainment and how a boutique public relations agency in NYC like AMP3 PR translates these shifts into elevated storytelling, smarter editorial strategy, and culturally relevant brand positioning.
Fashion
Starbucks Enters Fashion With a New Head of Style Collaborations
Brand collaborations are no longer side projects; they’re core growth strategies. This week, Starbucks made headlines by hiring its first-ever executive dedicated to fashion and beauty partnerships. As lifestyle brands continue to blur category lines, NYC fashion PR agencies increasingly help non-fashion companies enter the style conversation with credibility and cultural fluency.
Nike x LEGO Reimagine the Air Max 95
Meanwhile, Nike’s collaboration with LEGO proves that nostalgia remains a powerful marketing lever. By pairing a classic Air Max silhouette with playful design cues, the partnership speaks directly to multi-generational consumers. For a luxury and lifestyle PR agency in NYC, this signals continued opportunity in cross-generational storytelling rooted in emotion and design heritage.
DHL and SUBJECT. Turn Uniforms Into Upcycled Bags
Sustainability continues to evolve beyond buzzwords. DHL’s upcycled bag collection, created from retired uniforms, reframes corporate responsibility through design. As a result, boutique PR firms are increasingly positioning sustainability as a creative asset; not just a corporate initiative.
The LBD Steps Aside as New Year’s Eve Looks Lead 2026
Although the little black dress has dominated for decades, editors now spotlight statement silhouettes, texture-driven looks, and elevated separates for New Year’s Eve. Therefore, fashion PR experts in NYC are pitching brands that prioritize individuality, movement, and modern glamour.
Cashmere, Comfort, and Elevated Casual
This week’s shopping edit highlights a clear shift toward feel-good, wearable pieces that elevate everyday dressing. Alongside cozy layers and polished staples, accessories play a key role—especially timeless handbags like Brahmin, which offer instant structure and impact without feeling trend-driven. These are the kinds of investment pieces editors return to again and again for effortless outfit upgrades.
Photo Courtesy of Brahmin
Crossbody Bags Take Center Stage
From bucket shapes to woven finishes, crossbody bags remain an editorial favorite. Because functionality now drives luxury purchasing decisions, PR agencies specializing in accessories and handbags are focusing messaging on versatility, craftsmanship, and everyday wearability.
Denim Trends Defining 2026
Denim trends heading into 2026 continue to balance structure with comfort. Dark-wash jeans are making a strong return, offering a more polished alternative to lighter, casual styles, while straight-leg skinny hybrids reflect a shift toward cleaner, more tailored silhouettes. At the same time, drawstring jeans and “almost-jeans”—styles designed to look like denim but wear like sweatpants—highlight how comfort remains a top priority. Together, these trends signal a move toward versatile denim that works just as well for everyday wear as it does for elevated, off-duty styling ; something Wrangler has been paying attention too!
Photos Courtesy of Wrangler
Skincare & Wellness
Vitamin C Serums Get More Targeted
Beauty editors are shifting away from one-size-fits-all skincare. Instead, vitamin C serums now appear segmented by skin type—dry, oily, and acne-prone—reflecting a more personalized approach to wellness. For NYC beauty PR agencies, this creates space for education-led pitching and ingredient-driven storytelling.
Skincare Brands From Darlings to Breakout Stars
Industry coverage continues to spotlight both established favorites and emerging brands. Because credibility now hinges on consistency and transparency, boutique PR agencies help brands build trust through expert validation, reviews, and long-term visibility.
Experts Predict Skincare Trends for 2026
Skincare trends heading into 2026 point toward a more advanced, results-driven future. Regenerative aesthetics are moving into the mainstream, with ingredients like salmon sperm gaining traction for their skin-repair and rejuvenation benefits—an innovation already familiar to brands like KAHI, known for merging science-backed formulas with everyday usability. At the same time, AI-powered tools are beginning to enhance skincare routines, helping consumers personalize product selection, treatment timing, and ingredient compatibility. Together, these shifts signal a new era of smarter, more intentional skincare rooted in technology, regeneration, and performance.
Luxury & Travel
The Best Carry-On Luggage, According to Frequent Flyers
Editors increasingly rely on real-world testing to guide travel recommendations. Therefore, luxury travel PR firms are emphasizing durability, design, and traveler-first functionality when positioning luggage and accessories.
Wellness Travel Trends Taking Over 2026
Wellness travel continues to evolve beyond solo, silent retreats. Saunas are now doubling as entertainment and social spaces, blending music, conversation, and communal experiences. At the same time, wellness seekers increasingly want connection—favoring shared rituals and group programming over isolation. Women’s health is also taking center stage, with menopause, hormone balance, and longevity shaping wellness offerings more than ever. Additionally, wellness trips are becoming family affairs, as travelers look for restorative experiences that accommodate multiple generations. Finally, star bathing is emerging as the next frontier of mindful travel, encouraging guests to disconnect by engaging with the night sky—an atmospheric alternative to traditional forest bathing.
Music, Tech & Entertainment
Entertainment-First Branding Takes Over
Intimissimi’s breakout moment in Emily in Paris highlights a growing shift toward entertainment-led brand visibility. Rather than traditional advertising, brands now win attention through cultural placement and storytelling. As a cultural marketing agency in NYC, AMP3 PR tracks these moments closely to help clients align with media that feels organic, aspirational, and global.
The Takeaway
Culture continues to move fast and brands must move smarter. As fashion, beauty, travel, and entertainment increasingly overlap, audiences expect storytelling that feels intentional, elevated, and culturally fluent.
For AMP3 PR, a leading luxury PR agency in NYC, the mission remains clear: transform visibility into lasting brand value. Through strategic insight, editorial expertise, and trend-driven positioning, we help brands stay relevant—not just reactive—as 2026 takes shape.
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