By: Bridget Mulroy
I walked into my conversation with Rachel Elle expecting to interview a celebrity stylist about what’s trending for Summer 2026. Instead, I found myself talking with someone who sees fashion as something far more personal than seasonal colors or viral silhouettes. By the time we wrapped up, I realized Rachel isn’t simply predicting where style is headed. She’s quietly helping shape a future where clothing means something again.
In an age of endless online shopping, overnight trends, and wardrobes that seem to change by the week, Rachel’s perspective felt surprisingly refreshing. She isn’t chasing what’s next for the sake of staying relevant. She’s creating pieces with intention, and encouraging others to do the same.
When I asked what has been keeping her busiest this season, she laughed before admitting that summer is always beautifully chaotic.
Summer time is always the craziest time with just endless events, parties, weddings, etc., and everyone is just always in a good mood and wants to dress up! So I find myself just constantly making a look last minute for an event.
Anyone who’s looked at a calendar full of weddings or celebrations can probably relate. But Rachel pointed out something that feels especially true this year. People aren’t simply buying clothes anymore. They’re searching for something that feels unique to them.
I think right now, as consumers, we have so many options that we’re all looking for something that just has that extra special touch.
That idea stayed with me throughout our conversation. The phrase “extra special touch” seemed to define everything Rachel creates. Whether she’s designing for clients or styling herself, she’s chasing individuality instead of perfection.
Naturally, I had to ask about trends. After all, someone immersed in fashion every day has a front-row seat to what’s coming and what’s quietly disappearing.
Rachel explained that she’s seeing polyester gradually give way to natural fibers, not because one is inherently better than the other, but because timeless materials continue to earn their place in people’s wardrobes. As for silhouettes, she smiled while rattling off a few favorites.
The drop-waist dresses are everywhere, and the bubble hem is becoming a thing again! But I specifically am loving the bubble hem shorts.
Then came the detail that made me smile.
I personally can’t get enough of tie details, whether it’s bows, waist ties, or fastening a garment closed with a tie closure. I’ve just been craving having something to tie!
It was such an honest answer. Not calculated. Not overly polished. Just someone genuinely excited by design.
One of my favorite parts of our conversation was hearing Rachel talk about Project Runway and designer Joseph McRae. The two originally crossed paths while showing their collections at Charleston Fashion Week before eventually finding themselves reunited years later in New York.
What Rachel didn’t know at first was that they had both auditioned for Project Runway during the same season.
I was thrilled because he has such a unique point of view and I totally admire his editorial style.
As someone who frequently visits Mood Fabrics, she admitted she often gets the inside scoop from friends who work there. Yet what stood out wasn’t her excitement about television. It was her contentment with where her own career has taken her.
Being on Project Runway would surely be another iconic thing to add to my list, but to be honest, I already have such a fulfilling career and creative projects that currently bring me a lot of joy.
That confidence is rare. She doesn’t seem driven by validation. She’s driven by creativity.
If there was one moment that perfectly captured who Rachel is, it was when she told me about making flower girl dresses for her nieces.
Buying dresses would have been easier. Faster. Probably cheaper.
But that’s never been the point.
It just made the whole moment more special knowing that I made the dresses specially for the girls, and there was just so much more connection behind it as compared to just pulling something off a rack.
Listening to her describe the experience, I realized she wasn’t just talking about dresses. She was talking about memories.
It’s also why she believes fashion is beginning to shift away from disposable shopping.
I think we’re getting tired of the overabundance of cheap basic pieces, and we all crave something a little more special and a little more unique.
That sentiment feels increasingly relevant. People want fewer pieces they’ll actually remember wearing instead of closets full of clothes they barely notice.
Of course, with the FIFA World Cup generating excitement around the globe, I couldn’t resist asking what she planned to wear.
Her answer couldn’t have been more Rachel.
I stopped in to Mood Fabrics for inspiration and happened to find some perfect fabric, so I will be hustling to make myself a fun dress for the event.
While many of us would immediately start shopping online, Rachel starts with fabric and imagination.
Before we wrapped up, I asked how she approaches dressing for several major events happening back-to-back. She explained that everything starts with understanding the occasion before thinking about colors, fabrics, accessories, and whether one of her archived creations can be reimagined into something fresh.
It reminded me that while we often admire the finished look, we rarely appreciate everything that happens before the outfit ever reaches the hanger.
When our conversation ended, I found myself thinking less about trends and more about intention. Rachel Lichtenwalner reminded me that great style isn’t about owning the newest thing. It’s about creating something that feels authentic, memorable, and unmistakably your own.
If Summer 2026 is teaching us anything, it’s that fashion may finally be slowing down just enough for craftsmanship, personality, and meaningful design to take center stage again.
