“Surroundings”: In the ever-evolving landscape of fashion, true innovation emerges when designers transcend mere trends, crafting narratives that resonate on a deeper, more conceptual level. Études Studio — the multidisciplinary label led by Aurélien Arbet and Jérémie Egry — achieved precisely that. Its No. 27 Spring-Summer 2026 collection, “Surroundings” unveiled within the vibrant, contemporary embrace of the Palais de Tokyo, this wasn’t just a collection. It was an eloquent conversation between art, environment, and garment. It was a collection which is solidifying Études Studio’s unique position at the intersection of cultural expression and contemporary style.
Clothing as a Living Landscape
At its conceptual core, “Surroundings” engaged deeply with Land Art, treating it not as a passing trend but as a foundational philosophy. The collection explored the indelible marks left on both expansive natural spaces and the intimate surfaces of clothing. Arbet and Egry’s creative process evidently mirrored this, translating the essence of outdoor interaction into each piece. Here, garments emerged not just as clothes, but as landscapes in miniature – shaped by imagined use, textured by time, and imbued with the very traces of movement and memory.
The wardrobe itself walked a discerning line between rugged utility and refined elegance. Core pieces like hooded bombers, versatile work suits, and flowing lightweight overcoats were meticulously refined. Textures spoke volumes: sun-faded denim, earthy open-knit mohair, and rugged ripstop, often bearing intentional imperfections like cracks and fading, as if carrying narratives of past use. The palette mirrored this duality, drawing equally from the artist’s studio in shades of chalk and ochre, and the natural world with charcoal tones and deep bark browns. Everything felt authentic and lived-in.
Utilitarian accents defined silhouettes that ranged from body-skimming to freely flowing, allowing for dynamic movement. Workwear elements blended confidently with soft tailoring, revealing a nuanced approach to modern dress.
The name “Surroundings” directly references the interplay of individuals and their environment. Études Studio intentionally reworks conventional forms, creating a visual energy of delightful interruption. Like land art, nothing is quite as tradition intends, forging a new aesthetic through disruption. It becomes an ever evolving adaptation of how our environments look. Each piece’s story subjective to its wearer.
The Presentation: A Spiraling Immersion
The catwalk itself was transformed into an unscripted, almost performative space. Models navigated a spiral path, an immediate visual echo of Robert Smithson’s iconic Land Art works. The atmosphere was further deepened by reclaimed material sculptures, played live by percussionist Amélie Grould, filling the vast space with an immersive soundscape that resonated with the physical presence of Land Art. This considered staging fostered an organic, palpable connection between bodies, materials, and their environment.
Beyond the Garment: Artistic Statements
Études Studio extended their visual grammar through subtle yet impactful messages. Phrases like “Alternatives are Possible” and “Second Nature” were sketched or embroidered across bandanas and t-shirts, evolving clothing into a quiet language that deepened its dialogue with the landscape. A pivotal artistic collaboration anchored the season: New York-based artist Maia Ruth Lee. Her compelling work found new expression reinterpreted onto garments, solidifying Études Studio’s ongoing exploration of movement, grounding, and trace.
The result is a raw, unique visual time-capsule. Études Studio SS26 is more than fashion; it’s a symphony of calculated rebellion and authentic innovation, deeply rooted in the artistic dialogue between clothing and its surroundings.
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Photo Credits : Collective Parade | Courtesy of Études Studio
