Daniel’s Leathers is redefining luxury with its 2026 Faux Fur & Leather Collection, poised to command the spotlight at New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Unveiled for the occasion from the brand’s 159 Orchard St shop in New York City, this bold new offering places faux fur in the front row of high fashion—elevating it from an alternative into an essential, celebrity-styled signature for trendsetters of the moment. More than a reinvention, the collection challenges antiquated assumptions about what “true” luxury should look and feel like.

The brand’s highly anticipated Celebrity Influencer Edition NYFW Show will take center stage on September 12 at Partake NYC. The runway experience will feature a compelling roster of high-profile models and influencers, including Maino, Remy Ma, Natalie Baddies, Kash Doll, Jaquae, and Justina Valentine—presented by Looks by Luden. Throughout the evening, the halftime performance brings added electricity with singer-songwriter Vina Love, the daughter of legendary music producer, DJ, and cultural ambassador Kid Capri. With celebrated personalities and style arbiters stepping into the spotlight, the message is unmistakable: faux fur isn’t merely an option—it is the future of fashion.

Powering the creative vision is Nadeem “Daniel” Waheed, owner and designer of Daniel’s Leathers, whose artistic direction continues to expand the brand well beyond the traditional boundaries of leather fashion. Daniel invested three intensive years developing and perfecting the technology behind his faux fur line—engineering pieces that replicate the look and sensation of revered natural furs, including mink, fox, and chinchilla. The process is exacting by design: it replicates the texture, softness, and organic movement of genuine animal hair, resulting in a finish that reads as astonishingly real from the first glance—then proves itself even more profoundly in the hand.

Among the most compelling benchmarks Daniel cites is the “blow test.” When air is applied to the faux fur, the hairs separate and spread apart in a natural manner—mirroring the behavior of authentic fur. In contrast, lower-quality faux fur can appear flat when it’s still; Daniel’s approach ensures a lifelike presence at all times, preserving dimensionality and movement so the garment remains elevated in every position, every angle, every moment.

The collection itself is as versatile as it is striking, spanning crop furs and long coats, as well as menswear, kids’ styles, and women’s silhouettes. Each piece is offered in Daniel’s signature palette of vibrant tones—black, white, baby pink, red, baby blue, brown, yellow, and purple—crafted for the kind of glamour that doesn’t whisper, but announces itself.

The doors opened at 2:00 PM at Partake NYC, located at 10-29 44th Road, Long Island City, New York. More than a schedule, it’s an invitation—one that reflects Daniel’s belief that participation in fashion’s most prominent moment should feel welcoming, accessible, and community-centered.

Daniel’s professional background adds a further layer of distinction to the brand narrative. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in environmental engineering, knowledge that he has applied directly to the refinement of his faux fur manufacturing techniques. Beyond technical expertise, Daniel comes from a family with a long history of business ownership and community dedication—principles that remain embedded in the culture of Daniel’s Leathers, shaping both the artistry and the responsibility behind the brand.

A defining force behind the 2026 collection is the increasingly visible shift among celebrities away from real animal fur—driven by evolving ethical concerns. Daniel’s Leathers meets this moment with a level of craftsmanship that enables celebrities to wear faux fur with confidence and clarity. Figures including Skai Jackson and Usher have worn pieces publicly, and they have specifically requested that audiences be informed that the garments are faux. This is not only a testament to product quality, but also a reflection of cultural sensitivity in contemporary entertainment.

Just as compelling is the brand’s identity—often referred to as “The People’s Brand.” Daniel’s Leathers has built its reputation by placing consumer engagement, loyalty, individuality, and style at the center of its ethos. Where conventional fashion houses sometimes operate from a distance, Daniel’s Leathers cultivates connection from the inside out—anchored by a commitment to inclusive representation and a belief that luxury should never be exclusive.

The Celebrity Influencer Edition Show for NYFW is produced by Shamar Coleman and Mikal Matthews, whose creative direction actively centers representation. Together, they select everyday people as models, with special emphasis on individuals from the disability community. Models have included people who use wheelchairs, individuals with cerebral palsy, and those living with autism spectrum disorder. This approach embodies Daniel’s conviction that his products are made for everyone—and that every person deserves to feel seen, celebrated, and unmistakably like a superstar.

The brand emerged as a brand-first enterprise, gaining recognition organically rather than chasing it. Since 1993, Daniel’s Leathers has attracted high-profile clients including TLC, World Champion Bernard Hopkins, Andrew Dice Clay, Dog the Bounty Hunter, Neo, and others whose names help reinforce the brand’s cultural resonance. Music producer Teddy Riley is notably known for purchasing coats to match his cars—an anecdote that captures the brand’s lasting allure and the personal nature of Daniel’s relationships with clients. Daniel’s method is simple and defining: he treats clients as people first, and that human-first ethos has fueled enduring loyalty and longevity.

Community investment is not a tagline for Daniel’s Leathers—it is foundational. Daniel donates coats annually to a wide range of organizations and initiatives, including Inner City Kids, Cardi B, the LeBron James Foundation, Lala Anthony at Gaucho’s Gym, Remy Ma, and the crew of Black Ink. To date, he has donated 1,000 coats every year across these partnerships. Daniel’s philosophy is clear: businesses that draw value from communities must return value. For him, charitable giving is essential—not only to social impact, but to the long-term sustainability of the brand itself.

Show Images by: Eugene Manning

Community Partners: Shirley Johnson, We Thrive LLC, and Shanny Herrera from Ruth’s House.

For press and interview availability, contact:
Dorinda Angelucci
Publicist, AUX1 Media, LLC
917.497.0306 | aux1mediatv@gmail.com

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For press and interview availability, contact:
Dorinda Angelucci
Publicist, AUX1 Media, LLC
917.497.0306 | aux1mediatv@gmail.com