The designer’s Pre-Fall 2026 collection puts a fresh spin on summer-to-fall essentials.

Jenni Kayne is as known for her cult-favorite cardigans as she is for her breezy linen dresses. She’s also a master at pairing the two. With the minimalist ease of her eponymous California-inspired fashion and lifestyle label, Kayne has become a natural authority on summer-to-fall dressing; layering is, after all, as integral to the Jenni Kayne aesthetic as timeless neutrals. So it comes as little surprise that she leaned into her signature coastal sensibility while exploring the art of mixing and matching for her Pre-Fall 2026 collection.
“Pre-Fall is all about transition,” Kayne tells L’OFFICIEL. “Summer is easy and has a freedom that allows us to relax a bit more, whereas fall is all about getting back into the swing of our routines. Pre-Fall is meant to bridge that gap with wardrobe essentials that work all summer and into fall: relaxed yet refined, foundational but easy to make your own.”
That sense of in-between ease informed more than the clothes themselves. For the collection’s campaign, Kayne and her team sought a setting that reflected the same connection to nature and the changing seasons. They ultimately landed on Rosewood Mandarina, a newly opened resort set between the rainforest, mountains, and Pacific coast of Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, with its own polo and equestrian club. “We were initially drawn to the remote location and how perfectly situated in nature it is,” Kayne says of the property, which features private suites and standalone villas, as well as the secluded Asaya Spa. “All of our collections are inspired by nature and the seasons in some capacity, so shooting in a place where beauty and nature are around every corner was a no-brainer. Plus, they have an equestrian center—as a horse lover, it was a perfect match.”

Jenni Kayne Pre-Fall 2026. Courtesy of Jenni Kayne.

Horses, of course, feature prominently in the campaign, as do Rosewood Mandarina’s stunning beachfront backdrops. But the clothes—cotton, linen, and cashmere staples finished with thoughtful details—remain at the heart of the shoot. Kayne’s favorites from the collection—the boxy, rib-stitch <a href="https://www.jennikayne.com/products/sunset-crewneck-cream">Sunset crewneck</a> along with the floral cutwork–adorned <a href="https://www.jennikayne.com/products/broderie-lauren-skirt-navy">Broderie Lauren skirt</a> and <a href="https://www.jennikayne.com/products/broderie-peninsula-dress-black">Broderie Peninsula dress</a>—are bona fide transitional-weather heroes. Looking ahead to cooler days, the designer also singles out a few particularly versatile styles, starting with the <a href="https://www.jennikayne.com/products/clean-classic-tee-ivory">Clean Classic tee</a>, which she describes as “absolutely perfect.”&nbsp;

Portrait of Jenni Kayne, courtesy of Jenni Kayne.

“It is made in this super-soft cotton and has the dreamiest silhouette that makes it really great for pairing with anything from trousers and jeans to skirts,” says Kayne. “I also love the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jennikayne.com/products/dree-v-neck-sweater-dark-navy">Dree V-Neck</a>—the perfect transitional sweater that is made from whisper-thin merino wool, so it’s lightweight and really luxe. I have it in every color.” Another standout is the <a href="https://www.jennikayne.com/products/cashmere-fisherman-sweater-pewter-green">Cashmere Fisherman</a> sweater, which Kayne calls “seasonless” and says “never goes out of style.” “I love draping it over my shoulders or tying it around my waist for some interest in my outfit.”&nbsp;

Whether dressing for crisp fall mornings or navigating late-summer heat, Kayne’s approach to the seasonal shift is “all about lightweight pieces that you can layer and dress up and down with ease,” she says. “It is still so hot in Los Angeles and in other cities—this time of year, I focus on cotton basics and lightweight knits for chillier office days and evenings. I think pairing something like the Flynn Cardigan with our Clean Classic Tee and a pair of jeans is an easy look that you can repeat without it feeling overdone. The classics never fail.”

Jenni Kayne on the Art of Dressing Between Seasons

Tags

Related Articles

Fashion Week

After 14 Years Away, Jenni Kayne Marks Her Return to New York Fashion Week

Fashion

All of the Fall/Winter 2026 Campaigns Defining the Season

Fashion

Stay In the Know: These Are the Key Fall/Winter 2026 Trends Dominating the Runways

Recommended posts for you

Fashion