LONDON Fashion Week AW26 reminded us why the city remains a global hub for creativity. From inventive tailoring to bold collaborations, these designers proved there is no shortage of new talent this season. Here’s a look at the collections that stood out.
RAQUEL DE CARVALHO AW26
Titled Devotion, RAQUEL DE CARVALHO’s AW26 collection treated knitting and crochet as ritual, transforming vintage wool jumpers, deadstock yarns and off-cuts of sheepskin into asymmetric knits and reworked Aran silhouettes. Delicate lace and experimental constructions balanced sensuality and strength, while a commitment to repurposed materials reinforced the brand’s commitment to responsible production.
Hector Maclean AW26
Hector Maclean’s Escape was a tribute to his Polish grandmother, who was displaced during the Second World War, her life shaped by love, loss and resistance. Military-style tailoring met delicate Scottish lace and Polish detailing, creating a dialogue between strength and femininity. Sustainability remained central, with deadstock fabrics repurposed into structured pleats and draped forms.
MYAT AW26
MYAT’s AW26 collection, Antechamber, explored the tension between concealment and self-revelation through an immersive, performance-led show. Staged in an East London warehouse, models circled a fractured sugar-glass box that enclosed a figure in a white feathered dress, who eventually broke free to close the presentation. The collection moved from protective dark silhouettes to lighter, translucent layers, reflecting a journey from entrapment to freedom.
Charlie Constantiou AW26 x Chilly’s
Charlie Constantinou turned Chilly’s reusable water bottles into wearable art through an innovative collaboration. Each 3D-printed sleeve and cross-body strap was hand-dyed to mirror the AW26 palette, while functional garments reflected the bottle’s practical design. The partnership fused London fashion and product innovation, bringing functionality to the runway.
Raw Mango AW26
Marking its London Fashion Week debut, Raw Mango turned traditional Indian craft into runway architecture, with laser-cut silk floral collars, circling waists and trailing hems that reimagined garlands for the catwalk. Founder Sanjay Garg drew on handloom and embroidery techniques from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Varanasi, translating centuries-old textiles into sharp contemporary silhouettes.
ADON AW26
For AW26, ADON presented ROADS / Spirit, a collection evoking a solitary journey to one of the coldest inhabited regions on earth. Drawing on the brutal tundra landscape and the communities who endure it, the collection translated survival into luxury through untreated leathers, weathered textures and a palette of bone, ivory and dust grey. Reversible structures, raw-hide tailoring and durable construction ensured the garments were designed to evolve through wear and time.
Agro AW26
We can’t forget the debut of Agro Studio at LFW AW26, where George Oxby and Angus Cockram unveiled The Wanderers. Combining folklore with the London rave scene, the collection explores strength, rebellion and individuality. Read our full review of the show here.
by Catherine Rowe-Kosary