Manhattan’s own fashion icon and Sex and the City author Candace Bushnell is the new muse of Italian fashion house SERGIO SOLDANO.

The socialite and famed writer chose head-to-toe Italian luxury fashions from Sergio Soldano for last night’s Layer Zero party and Whitney Biennial 2026 Opening Preview Event.

Bushnell wore: 

• A pink Sergio Soldano designer cape,
• A pink-accented, jewel-studded, metallic mini dress from Sergio Soldano,
• Designer Sergio Soldano mini handbag,
• and Custom Sergio Soldano heels in coordinating hot pink.

The custom Italian leather heels were commissioned solely for Candace Bushnell, an exclusive variation of the Italian house’s Fall/Winter 2026-2027 collection, which recently debuted at Printemps New York during New York Fashion Week.

Founded in 1968, Sergio Soldano emerged as one of Italy’s most distinctive fashion voices, celebrated for a bold, geometric aesthetic, vibrant color, and an innate ability to flatter the female form. A favorite among international high society and cultural icons, from Liz Taylor and Gina Lollobrigida to Monica Vitti and Virna Lisi—the designer presented collections across Rome, Florence, Milan, New York, Paris, and beyond, helping shape the visual language of mid-century modern fashion. Revered as “the new man of fashion,” Sergio Soldano’s work transcended the runway, appearing in film, editorial, and popular culture, and cementing his legacy as a creative force whose influence continues to resonate today.

The Fall/Winter 2026–2027 collection signals a new chapter for Sergio Soldano: a narrative written in noble materials, impeccable construction, and precious, beautiful details that define the Sergio Soldano woman as elegant, powerful, and contemporary, reaffirming the enduring value of Italian savoir-faire within a distinctly contemporary aesthetic vision. As the house enters its next phase, its expanding retail presence reflects a measured, intentional growth: one guided by creative integrity, craftsmanship, and long-term vision.

ABOUT SERGIO SOLDANO

Italian heritage brand Sergio Soldano was established by designer Sergio Soldano in 1968, gaining global renown and a high society following. His influential womenswear, marked by geometric designs, vibrant colors, and figure-flattering collections, made an indelible mark on mid-20th-century womenswear. The historic fashion house was acquired by Desire Holding Group in 2024 and now helmed by Co-Creative Directors Giovanni Premoli and Dario Di Bella, builds on Soldano’s legacy with an emphasis on Italian heritage, luxury craftsmanship, premium materials, and a bold, contemporary design vision for the 21st century. Instagram: sergiosoldano.official

ABOUT DESIRE HOLDING GROUP

Desire Holding has consolidated its presence in the international beauty scene, backed by years of previous experience in production and distribution of well-known brands within the U.S. market, including Ferrari, Jacques Bogart, and having signed exclusive licenses with Bill Blass, Katy Perry, Jesse McCartney, Carmen Electra, and Rampage, among others. Today, Desire Holding Group also holds exclusive licenses for Jacob&Co, S.T. Dupont, Pierre Cardin, GCDS, Baby Phat, and Alfa Romeo, with other new signings soon to be announced as part of the Group’s Premium Division expansion. Italian subsidiary Desire Fragrances S.r.l. was officially established in 2020 and later acquired by Desire Holding. For more information, visit desirefragrances.net.

DANIEL QUINTANILLA