When you think of fashion icons, designers, models and celebrities might be the first names that come to mind. But Peter Marino has made his mark in a rather different way. The New York-based architect, known for his striking black leather outfits and some of the world’s most recognisable luxury boutiques, has been named the 2026 Fashion Icon by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).Marino has spent decades bringing fashion and architecture together, creating spaces that are as carefully considered as the clothes and accessories sold inside them. From Chanel and Dior to Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co., his work has helped shape the way people experience luxury brands.The award recognises not just his architectural work, but also the personal style that has made him one of the most recognisable figures in the fashion world.
The architect behind some of fashion’s biggest names
Marino established his New York-based design firm in 1978. Since then, he has built a reputation for creating stores that do much more than display products. His boutiques and flagship buildings are designed to reflect the character of each brand, often bringing together unusual materials, carefully planned interiors and commissioned works of art.His client list reads like a who’s who of luxury fashion. Armani, Bulgari, Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co. and Zegna have all worked with him. He has also designed notable spaces for Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and Barneys New York.Some of his more recent projects include Dior flagships in Milan, Beverly Hills and New York, Chanel buildings in San Diego and Los Angeles, and Tiffany & Co. flagships in Milan and New York.What makes Marino’s approach stand out is the attention he gives to the entire experience of entering a store. The architecture, artwork, materials and lighting all play a part in telling the brand’s story. A boutique becomes more than a place to shop; it becomes part of what makes the label recognisable.
His personal style is just as distinctive
Marino’s work may be found inside some of the world’s most expensive boutiques, but his own appearance is hard to overlook, too.The architect is known for his head-to-toe black leather looks, biker boots and dark sunglasses. It’s an outfit he has made his own over the years, and one that fits his larger-than-life approach to design.His style doesn’t follow the usual expectations of what an architect or luxury industry figure should wear. Instead, it’s bold, consistent and unmistakably his. That individuality is a big part of why the CFDA has recognised him as a Fashion Icon.Announcing the award, CFDA chairman Thom Browne praised Marino for bringing architecture and fashion together in ways that give luxury brands a distinctive identity.“Peter has never followed convention. He has always defined his own,” Browne said, highlighting how Marino’s personal style reflects the same confidence found in his work.Marino also welcomed the recognition, saying he was pleased to be acknowledged by an industry he has worked alongside for around four decades.
A passion for art beyond architecture
Fashion isn’t Marino’s only interest. He is also an avid art collector and supporter, with a collection that spans different periods and styles.In 2021, he established the Peter Marino Art Foundation in Southampton, New York. The foundation showcases more than 500 works, ranging from antiquity to contemporary art.Art has long been part of Marino’s architectural projects, too. Rather than treating it as an afterthought, he often incorporates site-specific commissions into his designs, giving individual spaces their own character.His contributions have earned recognition beyond the fashion industry. In 2012, the French Ministry of Culture named him a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, followed by the rank of Officier in 2017. In 2024, he received the Hadrian Award from the World Monuments Fund.These honours reflect a career that has brought together design, art and architecture in a way few people have managed.
When and where will Marino receive the award?
Marino will receive his Fashion Icon honour at the 2026 CFDA Fashion Awards, presented by Amazon Fashion, on Monday, November 2. The ceremony will take place at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.Cornelia Guest, an actor, entrepreneur and animal rights advocate with longstanding connections to fashion and art, will present the award.Amazon Fashion is the presenting partner for this year’s ceremony. Other supporters include Google Shopping, which backs the American Emerging Designer of the Year award; M·A·C Cosmetics, the official beauty partner; and Krug, the official champagne partner. WYouth and Nuuly will also host a student viewing section for current CFDA scholars and fashion students.
An icon who sees fashion differently
Marino’s selection says something about how the fashion industry defines influence. It isn’t always about designing a collection or appearing on a runway. Sometimes, it’s about creating the spaces where fashion comes to life.His work has helped luxury brands express their identities through architecture, while his personal style has made him a recognisable figure in his own right.For Marino, the two worlds have always been closely linked. And with the CFDA now recognising his contribution, the architect’s influence on fashion is receiving attention well beyond the boutiques and buildings that first made his name.
