At the helm of the brand, Sasha Meneghel has built a universe grounded in tailoring, material integrity and personal truth. Yet within this new collection — to be presented this Wednesday — there is an even deeper emotional layer: Alda, her grandmother and one of the greatest creative influences of her life.

“Mondepars began with Alda,” Sasha tells us.

It was through her grandmother that she first discovered art, freedom of expression and creative instinct. A woman who transformed garments, created costumes, adapted pieces and found beauty even in difficult circumstances. A woman who, according to Sasha, never allowed life’s limitations to interrupt her creativity.

“She used the tremors in her hands to create effects in her paintings.”

As Sasha revisited old letters, photographs, videos and family memories, the collection gradually took shape through the merging of Alda’s world and the already established codes of Mondepars. References move subtly between the convent where Alda once lived, the theatrical influence of her father — a circus performer — and the quiet resilience with which she faced Parkinson’s disease without abandoning her artistic practice.

The collection never attempts to turn memory into nostalgia. Instead, emotion is translated through construction, silhouette and permanence. Familiar Mondepars tailoring reappears with new proportions and reinterpretations, while transformation remains one of the house’s strongest codes.

“We like to look at pieces that already tell the story of Mondepars and transform them.”

That same idea of transformation existed within Alda long before concepts such as upcycling entered the contemporary fashion conversation. Clothing was continuously adapted between siblings, altered with embroidery, lace or small interventions so that each piece retained individuality and affection.

“She created so much with so little.”

Despite the emotional depth behind the collection, Mondepars remains remarkably aligned with its sophisticated and understated visual language — one far removed from obvious or caricatured interpretations of Brazilian fashion.

As Sasha recalls, quoting Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch: “What is made in Brazil is Brazilian.”

For Sasha, Brazil is too plural to exist within a single aesthetic definition. That plurality reveals itself not through cliché, but through versatility, texture, climate and functionality. Wool, for instance, becomes an important symbol within the collection — less associated with traditional winter dressing and more connected to adaptability, fluidity and longevity across seasons.

Perhaps the most moving part of our conversation, however, was hearing Sasha speak about recognising Alda beyond the role of grandmother.

“To look at her as inspiration beyond being my grandmother was fascinating for me as a woman, as a businesswoman and as a designer.”

By the end of our conversation, when we asked what she would say to her 18-year-old self at the beginning of this journey, her answer arrived without hesitation:

“Never stop studying. Fashion is an infinite school.”

Thank you, Sasha, for your time. Best of luck with the collection!

Captured & Curated by Lee Oliveira & Patrick Doering

The post The Emotional Inheritance Behind MONDEPARS appeared first on Style Cartel.

Osklen didn’t just present a collection. It presented a conscious return to its core.

At the center of it all, a point that feels almost didactic. The revisited long johns and the fusion of beachwear with tailoring.

Without forgetting the snow jackets, where it all began back in 1989, now reimagined for 2026 in a luxurious version fully crafted in pirarucu.

Because this is not just styling. This is origin.

Osklen was built on clothing that moves across territories. From the beach to the city, from sand to tailoring, from day to night.

What appears on the runway is not an idea. It is behavior. In Rio, these opposites are not in conflict. They are complementary. There is a very specific, very local way of moving between these spaces, and the clothes follow that movement.

The collection reconnects with this starting point while filtering it through a cleaner lens. Lean silhouettes, impeccably constructed pieces, and abstract prints that refresh the language and bring color into the collection.

Material contrast sharpens this tension. Natural fibers and raw textures set against shine and crystal.

The long johns and the bursts of crystal also nod to the 2000s, once objects of pure desire, now revisited with more control and less excess.

In the end, the show unfolds as a clear and consistent chronological reading of the brand.

Captured and curated by @LeeOliveira & @PatrickDoering, live from Rio.

Follow Style Cartel on TikTok and Instagram for more content!

The post Across Territories: Osklen Returns to Its Core appeared first on Style Cartel.

The brand returns with a stronger focus on world-building. And it works.

It’s not just a show, it’s behaviour.

But the turning point isn’t the set design. It’s the casting. That’s where Blueman expands its gaze: diverse bodies, different genders, a more plural idea of desire. A move that speaks directly to the spirit of Rio’s beaches, where everyone belongs.

The collection dives into the domestic market, but through a lens designed for the foreign eye. It’s Brazil Core showing up more on tourists’ bodies than in the Carioca wardrobe. Lycra macramé emerges as a protagonist, bringing texture and a sense of reuse. Bags and shoes with lycra straps forming pom-poms add a layer of visual humor.

What’s built here is a Brazil of immediate reading, sun-soaked, easy to recognize, easy to consume.

Some familiar codes return in a very explicit way, like the tie-dye swim briefs with the Brazilian flag, a hit from another moment in the brand’s history.

It works through recognition. The focus is on narrative and styling.

The show closes with a moment that perfectly captures the spirit of the collection. Helô Pinheiro, at 82, the eternal Girl from Ipanema, in a swimsuit. An absolute icon. An immediate image. Almost an emotional shortcut.

And in the middle of it all, the presence of Neg Black reinforces the desire to create a scene, while names like Débora Secco and Pocah add shine and instant recognition to the looks.

In the end, Blueman doesn’t return trying to reinvent fashion, but understanding the value of building image.

And in today’s game, that, when well executed, is already half the way.

Captured and curated by Lee Oliveira & Patrick Doering, live from Rio.

Follow Style Cartel on TikTok and Instagram!

The post The Beach Way Of Rio: Meet Blueman appeared first on Style Cartel.

Rio Fashion Week Highlights 

Manual craftsmanship is evident throughout the week, but at Hisha, it feels intentional. Heavy embroidery on sheer fabrics, paired with bold cuts, creates a tension where the body is both revealed and shielded. As the models move, beads and stones catch the light, elevating the craftsmanship beyond clothing into a form of artistic expression rooted in Brazilian culture. The work carries weight, produced by women artisans from Minas Gerais and grounded in traditional techniques. It is this connection that gives the brand a sense of distinctive Brazilian identity. 

Colour and unexpected prints dominate the Rio runway, standing out in contrast to a wider global shift towards minimalism. At Salinas, the collection draws on the symbolic strength of Brazilian birds, where fringes, embroidery, shells and beadwork create richly layered textures across the looks.  

Bird-shaped earrings, reimagined tops, and voluminous silhouettes reinforce a playfulness that feels inseparable from Brazilian identity. 

Isabela Capeto’s runway show fearlessly explores this playful energy. Fluid silhouettes move with the body, while layered printed patterns —from plaid to florals— come together with bright colours inspired by nature. 

The collaboration with her younger daughter, Chica, introduces an intergenerational perspective, bringing a young and contemporary energy to the collection. It’s a mix and match, an unexpected combination styled perfectly.

Houses like Dendezeiro place urban culture at the centre of the runway. The show transforms the space into a ballroom, fusing classic streetwear references with deconstructed tailoring. Elements drawn from Rio’s streets appear throughout the collection. A key collaborator is Kenner, a Brazilian footwear brand whose sporty slides are a staple on Carioca feet. 

The show closes with supermodel Alton Mason, playing a soundtrack made and performed by himself.

It is impossible to talk about RFW without mentioning the soundtracks.

The week was defined by a mix of samba, trap and funk, capturing a part of Brazil’s layered musical identity. At Misci, the sound is designed specifically for the historic Marquês de Sapucaí Sambadrome. With live drums by Beija-Flor de Nilópolis, one of Rio’s most traditional samba schools, the show brings a piece of Carnival onto the runway. 

Adidas brings artists Tasha and Tracie to perform live on the runway. The duo blends urban rap with carioca funk. Rooted in the favela scene, the collaboration highlights the creative power from the periphery to the catwalk.

Tz da Coronel, a prominent figure in Rio’s rap and trap landscape, performs for Piet + Pool, bringing the sound of the streets and beaches directly onto the runway.

Style Cartel’s personal take on RioFW

Ultimately, the return of Rio Fashion Week positions the Brazilian style as a creative force deeply rooted in lived experience. The event’s power lies in its instinctive and honest nature, a feeling echoed from the soundtrack to artisanal weight to the ballroom energy. By blending high fashion with the raw influence of the streets, favelas, and beaches, RioFW 2026 reasserts its place on the global fashion stage. The city stands as a global aesthetic and cultural protagonist, and the fashion it produces reflects exactly that.

Follow Style Cartel on TikTok and Instagram!

The post Rio Fashion Week Highlights: Culture Shapes The Runway. appeared first on Style Cartel.

The Resilience of High-Value Exporting

The current success of the Portuguese footwear industry defies global trends. In 2025, while major competitors like China and Turkey saw production declines of 11% and 13% respectively, Portugal maintained a positive trajectory. Specifically, by exporting 68 million pairs of shoes worth €1.718 billion, the sector outperformed its direct European rivals, growing by 0.8% while Italy and Spain saw contractions.

Furthermore, this resilience stems from a deliberate pivot toward segments where technical excellence (yes you read that correctly, not price) drives the decision. By concentrating 82% of its exports in high-quality leather footwear, the industry has evolved from an “affordable manufacturer” to a “luxury essential.” Prestigious houses such as Loewe, Lanvin, and Rolex validate this shift, as they rely on this Portuguese cluster to translate their heritage into physical products.

The Factory Floor: Where the Future is Built

The true “secret” of the industry lives on the factory floor, where the line between artisanal craft and robotics has vanished. At the Portuguese Footwear Technological Center (CTCP), the focus is on the “qualification” of the product: ensuring that every pair of shoes meets rigorous international standards.

Similarly, visiting these facilities uncovers a cluster that operates with unparalleled versatility and a relentless work ethic. At Bolflex, a leader in footwear components for over 30 years , the operation runs “24 hours a day” to keep pace with global demand. The company embodies the “everything in-house” philosophy that defines the region. “We do everything in-house, from the idea to the final product,” their team explains. To achieve this, they produce their own moulds and rubber formulations on-site. Moreover, to ensure precision before a single sole is cast, they deploy 3D printing to send mock-ups to clients, allowing them to adjust height or width before sculpting the final aluminium mould.

In the same vein, this technical mastery powers the high-performance sector at AMF Safety Shoes. Here, the manufacturing process presents a choreographed display of chemical engineering and mechanical pressure. Notably, to create their specialised soles, technicians mix and inject liquid chemicals at high temperatures, reaching approximately 80°C. “We inject the outsole… it gives better slippery resistance, additional abrasion resistance, resistance to oils, everything,” the AMF team explains. Ultimately, they fuse safety with comfort, injecting a soft midsole so “it’s comfortable for people to walk around”. With finishing lines churning out up to 1,100 pairs of shoes per shift, AMF proves that industrial-scale production can still maintain a meticulous eye for detail, from “moulding the heel part” to “encapsulating the toe cap” for ultimate protection.

Engineering a Sustainable Defense

In the light of global shifts, Portugal is also using sustainability as a definitive competitive advantage. Whereby “green” production is the new luxury status symbol. Through the BioShoes4All project: a €70 million initiative, the industry is overhauling its production cycle. At Bolflex, this isn’t just a mission statement; it’s a mechanical process called “devulcanisation.” This patented, chemical-free process allows the factory to recycle full shoes (leather, insoles, and all) into entirely new pairs of soles. As a result, the Bolflex team notes, it’s a massive step forward for the circular economy: “I can produce a rubber sole with a lot of recycle, and you don’t even notice”. To manage this, they even founded a dedicated recycling unit, RubberLink.  This allows them to reincorporate industrial waste back into their production line.

The Knowledge Roadmap: Sowing the Seeds of Talent

The evolution of the sector is being reinforced by a unique community-led strategy. APICCAPS, the national association founded in 1975, has launched the “Knowledge Roadmap” (Roteiro do Conhecimento), a school-based initiative for students aged six to twenty. By doing so, this program brings the reality of modern manufacturing into the classroom. It is actively encouraging a new generation to see the industry as a space for creative problem-solving.

Central to this is the “Magical Box” concept. As project representatives describe: “We help them to use sustainable materials to develop new products and a kind of really original shoe. And then we have an open day… where we invite families and the kids to come here to have the award ceremony.” By challenging students to build original shoes from found materials, the industry is ensuring its future talent pool understands both design and environmental responsibility from day one.

The “Work-to-Lifestyle” Shift

Meanwhile, perhaps the most significant cultural shift within the factories is the move toward “aesthetic performance.” At AMF, the goal is to dismantle the idea of the “ugly” safety shoe. Their brand, To Work For, draws inspiration from lifestyle giants like Carhartt, using earthy tones and premium fabrics. It’s their way of ensuring workers don’t feel the need to change after their shift. “If you don’t do something more aesthetic… you can meet your family and you don’t need to take out your clothes,” they note, emphasising that the modern worker is looking for inspiration beyond the traditional “bright yellow” safety gear.

Equally important, academic rigour backs this forward-thinking mindset. Specifically, AMF partners with the University of Minho and the University of Porto to develop empirical solutions, such as movement sensors embedded in shoe soles that measure employee fatigue and prevent injuries.

Lisboa Fashion Week: The Performance of Agility

The final link in the chain from factory to runway was most visibly demonstrated at Lisboa Fashion Week (ModaLisboa). The “Portuguese Shoes” presentation by APICCAPS functioned as a live manifesto of the sector’s agility. In a testament to the industry’s ability to perform under pressure, the dancers involved in the showcase had only started practicing their routine two weeks prior to the event.

Even more strikingly, the performers only put on the featured footwear for the first time on the day of the show. This “on-the-fly” execution served as a metaphor for the industry’s current state: a sector capable of taking bold risks and delivering functional, high-quality results in real-time. It is why the vanguard of New York and Paris; designers like Willy Chavarria and Ernest W. Baker, are looking to Northern Portugal to bring their most ambitious, high-fashion silhouettes to life.

A Decade of Transformation

The industry is currently executing its largest investment program in history, a staggering €600 million by 2030. This funding is dedicated to a massive “Strategic Plan” focused on innovation, internationalisation, and specialised training. As Luís Onofre, President of APICCAPS, suggests, “Past achievements are not guarantees of the future.” The sector is acting accordingly.

As someone who has seen firsthand what’s coming out of the Portuguese workshops for the upcoming seasons. Take my advice: keep your eyes open and your wallet stacked, because these upcoming collections are absolute requirements. From the laboratory to the catwalk, Portugal is no longer just making shoes. It is engineering the future of fashion.

Stay tuned for more @StyleCartel

The post Factory to Runway: Portugal’s €600M on the Future of Footwear appeared first on Style Cartel.

The New Armour: Shoulders and Structural Shielding

Structure returned with a vengeance this season, acting less like a corporate uniform and more like psychological shielding. The bold shoulder emerged as the definitive frame with designers including Arndes, Gonçalo Peixoto, Kolovrat, Luís Carvalho, Ricardo Andrez, and Mafalda Simões utilising exaggerated proportions to create silhouettes that felt simultaneously protective and avant-garde. This isn’t a mere 80s throwback; it is a modern carapace designed for the physical body in motion, grounding the wearer in an unshakeable sense of presence.

Furthermore, this architectural rigour reached its peak with the rise of the Funnel Neck. Championed by Luís Carvalho, Ricardo Andrez, and Kolovrat, these high-neck utilities offer a sleek, futuristic alternative to the traditional collar. They inject a sense of “Insurrection” into the collections, where the garment guards the vulnerability of the neck while projecting a defiant, high-fashion authority.

Subversive Summer: The Flux of Lace and Sheers

Designers stripped the “Euro Summer” aesthetic of its postcard perfection, reimagining it through “Flux” and transparency. This isn’t your average seasonal vibe; it’s a breathtaking fusion of performance heritage and ethereal storytelling. Cal Pfungst, Carlos Gil, Drionadream, Gonçalo Peixoto, and Kolovrat utilised Sheer fabrics not for simple exposure, but as tools for layered excavation. These translucent textiles allow the natural form beneath to exist in unfiltered honesty, creating a vibrating rhythm between the fabric and the skin.

This ethereal quality likewise found its footing in the reclamation of heritage through beading and lace, Pulsing through the latest collections of  Behen, Nuno Baltazar, and Gonçalo Peixoto. These textures function as sensory memories, artefacts of a Portuguese past unearthed for a modern context. The lace, in particular, ruptures established codes, transforming a traditionally “delicate” material into something structurally resilient. It is a reinvented fantasy for the adult world, ensuring that style and history exist in perfect harmony.

Industrial Alchemy: Metallica and the Bed Head

To balance the deconstructed textures, the season embraced a cold, alchemical finish that feels both nostalgic and utterly futuristic. Metallica dominated the palette, with liquid silver and chrome textiles shimmering in the works of Ariana Orrico, Mariana Garcia, and Ricardo Andrez. Even the beauty looks at Kolovrat took a metallic turn, treating the body as a precious artifact worthy of veneration. As fabrics turn to chrome, the skin follows suit, transitioning the runway’s energy from the garment to the face.

The Beauty Rebellion: Smeared Maximalism

The beauty direction stood as a deliberate, defiant act of raw honesty; a breathtaking challenge to the narrow perfection demanded by traditional luxury. Visual Anarchy replaced the “perfect” face, defined by bold, vibrant pigments applied with intentional disarray. This wasn’t just a smudge; it was a full-throttle return to Maximalism. Designers like Cal Pfungst, Francisca Nabinho, and Valentim Quaresma treated the face as a canvas for high-art anarchy, with pigments smeared across cheekbones and lids in a glorious rejection of the “clean girl” aesthetic.

This colour-drenched obsession found its most rebellious expression in the rise of Face Piercings. No longer relegated to the fringes, hardware became a central design principle at Barbara Atanasio and Kolovrat. These metallic punctures serve as individualised expression, reinforcing the idea that the body is not just a canvas, but a site of lived-in resistance.

The Unpolished Truth: Bed Head

This commitment to honesty extended to the hair through a pervasive “Bed Head” aesthetic championed by Barbara Atanasio, Cal Pfungst, Kolovrat, and Ricardo Andrez. The hair appeared raw and windswept, as if the models had just climbed out of the earth or stepped out of a landscape of grit and stone. This application of “mess” as a staple beauty element further immerses the audience in this new world, blurring the lines between delicate garments and the rugged reality of the “Pebbling” excavation. Suddenly, one of the most mundane everyday looks has become an avant-garde pinnacle.

The Sharp Finish: The Pointed Toe

To ground these fluid, shimmering forms, footwear remained razor-sharp. The Pointed Toe, showcased by Luís Onofre and the APICCAPS collective, stood as the undisputed silhouette of the week. When APICCAPS (the Portuguese Footwear Association) puts their seal on a silhouette, you know the trend is as real as it gets; they don’t just follow the pace, they set the stride. If you’re still clinging to your rounded soles, it might be time to sharpen up: consider this your final warning before your toes feel as dated as a 2014 filter. This sharp finish provided a necessary puncture point of precision, ensuring that even the most “undone” looks maintained a sense of navigational intent. It is the ultimate “cool girl” essential, providing a direct counterpoint to oversized layering and deconstructed vibes.

Let Euro Summer Begin

ModaLisboa delivered us a week of designers who favour their creative authenticity. It reminds us that identity is not a polished, static monument, but a living, breathing mosaic that is no less beautiful for its fractures. By grounding every garment in the visceral reality of the human form, Lisbon has assured us that the future of fashion lies not in digital perfection, but in the radical power of being found. This is necessary fashion: a love letter to the fractured, enduring spirit that forces us to transform.

As the “Euro Summer” prepares to take over your feed, remember what Lisboa’s best designers are teaching us about the actual trends of Portugal.

Stay tuned for more @StyleCartel

📷 @damianbao

The post Lisboa Fashion Week Gives us the Real Trends for Euro Summer appeared first on Style Cartel.

Autumn Winter 2026

London Belongs to Me

This collection marks 5 years of denzilpatrick and it’s clear that London is at the epicentre, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. The story is as follows: Denzil and Patrick, Gayle’s two grandfathers, arrived in London with a dream and impeccable style. This collection is an homage to Gayle’s family, set in modern London and an imagination of how they may have dressed themselves today. It’s timeless, a creative melding of Edwardian dandyism and of the contemporary Londoner.

Denzilpatrick’s signature tailoring can be seen in each and every garment. The structure of each look is distinguished and masculine. The beauty of each piece lies within the finer details: intricately embroidered panels, delicate lace undershirts, crystal embellishments, feather cravats. Denzilpatrick explores a new era of menswear that can effortlessly balance masculinity and femininity. The detailing in each piece calls upon the audience to look closer, to pay attention.

The silhouettes within the collection highlight both the vintage and modern influences. We see a collared shirt paired with cuffed trousers and sneakers, a modern zip jacket with feathered coattails, panelling details that emulate coat lapels. Each look is imaginative and exciting in a way characteristic of denzilpatrick.

denzilpatrick x PUMA

This collection includes a partnership with PUMA, showcasing several looks with the iconic PUMA Suede. A collaboration that just makes sense – PUMA Suedes have endured within fashion, lasting beyond merely a single trend cycle. Similarly to denzilpatrick, PUMA is a brand with heritage and continued relevancy; together, the two have created brands that have evolved with the world whilst maintaining their strong identity.

A brilliant collection to mark the 5^th year of denzilpatrick, Gayle and Bosley continue to move the brand forward in a new and exciting direction. Quintessentially London, the collection does a remarkable job of bringing the city to life using only needle and thread. With clothing as the medium, a story is told – the returning chapter of Denzil and Patrick.

For more fashion content, follow us on Instagram: @StyleCartel and @StyleCartelMedia on TikTok, too, and leave a comment below!

The post London Belongs to Me – Denzilpatrick Autumn Winter 2026 appeared first on Style Cartel.

TOGA Autumn Winter 2026

Since its founding in 1997, TOGA delivers collections after collection of innovative minimalism. Pull, Crumple, Pressed continues to achieve the brand’s signature aesthetic in a way that we’ve not yet seen before. The underlying commonality for the pieces in this collection is deliberate imperfection. With asymmetrical collars, the exposed undersides of skirts, and haphazardly done buttons – the garments in this collection showcase the modernity of deconstruction.

The colour palette remains predominately neutral. However, the sea of black, cream, and grey is delightfully interrupted with pops of reds, blues, and the occasional tartan or animal print. The pieces in this collection maintain the signature expert tailoring that TOGA is renown for.

Furuta plays with contrasting fabrics to further drive home this idea of shaping and reshaping, of resistance and give. There are wool blazers, silk trousers, and even a daring head-to-toe leather look. Pieces are layered unexpectedly, adding dimension to the collection. In several looks, the waist is cinched with layers of folded and crumpled cardigans. Sheer wraps are tied over dresses and oversized shearling cuffs added to otherwise simple pieces. Furuta layers to her advantage, using the depth it provides to create the structure and sharpness typical of the brand. Isolated accessories, like the large gem brooches or the singular flower earrings, add an element of opulence to the collection.

In short, this collection is unpredictable, multifaceted, and sleek. It emphasizes the pliable nature of fabric and how it can adapt to tensions and pressure. The AW26 TOGA collection is both experimental and modern, a true representation of the TOGA brand and of the visionary that is Yasuko Furuta.

More at London Fashion Week …

Stay tuned for more London Fashion Week content. Until next time! Follow us on Instagram: @StyleCartel and @StyleCartelMedia on TikTok, too, and leave a comment below!

The post Pull, Crumple, Pressed – TOGA Autumn Winter 2026 appeared first on Style Cartel.

This year is no different. The 2026 Fall/Winter London Fashion Week schedule is looking promising, as per usual. Here are Style Cartel’s recommendations of notable designers to watch for this year.

Designers You Don’t Want to Miss

Tolu Coker

Having founded her eponymous brand in 2021, Tolu Coker has already made a name for herself. Coker is a fashion designer and artist based in London, with a background in fashion design and textile print at Central Saint Martin’s. Coker’s British Nigerian heritage inspires the brand, with its brand ethos rooted in community, craftsmanship, and culture. The brand focuses on quality, cultural preservation, and long-lasting fashion. Since the brand’s founding, Tolu Coker has been awarded numerous awards, including The British Fashion Council NEWGEN Award 2023 – 2024.

Tolu Coker’s collections are all inspired by Coker’s life. The Spring Summer 2025 collection, titled Olapeju, was named after her mother – the collection’s muse. This collection celebrates the “wealth of heritage, cultural capital, and craftsmanship inherent in British-Nigerian identities and immigrant communities”. The collection is vibrant, filled with striking patterns and bold colours. The hair, makeup, and silhouettes are inspired by the 60s and 70s – we see mini-skirts, halter necks, and knee-high boots. Many of these silhouettes seem to be a nod to the working women during this era, with neckties, blazers, and even a look reminiscent of a 1960s nurse’s uniform. This collection takes inspiration from the past and reinvents it in a way that’s delightfully modern. Tolu Coker’s previous collections have left the world wanting more. Luckily, Coker’s newest collection will be gracing the London runways in just a few weeks’ time.

Annie’s Ibiza

Annie Doble, founder of Annie’s Ibiza, opened her store at 20 years old in Ibiza’s Old Town. In 2018, Doble launched Annie’s, a brand that prides itself on creating one-of-a-kind pieces. Each garment is meticulously crafted – whether it’s a hand stitched design or made with delicate glass beads, the creation of Annie’s pieces follows the practices of traditional artisanship. Self-described as eclectic and rare, Annie designs or handpicks each garment herself. Annie’s debut ready-to-wear collection, named Annie’s Collection, was shown at London Fashion Week in February 2023.

Annie’s Collection is inspired by the 15^th-century Italian Renaissance. This collection highlights the strength of femininity, channeling historic heroines such as Joan of Arc and Cathrine Sforza. The inspiration of the Renaissance is clear within this collection, with lace hoods, bead-embellished gowns, sheer chainmail, and even a suit of armour. The looks are sparkling, feminine, and thoughtfully beautiful. Annie’s debut ready-to-wear collection has given us high expectations, which I have no doubt Annie will exceed.

The Ouze

Founded by Toby Vernon, who started creating jewelry in 2020 during the lockdown. Having studied fashion design at Westminster University, Vernon learned about an ancient lost wax technique where organic materials are carved from wax and turned into metal. Vernon wanted to create pieces that remained unpolished and raw, inspired by antique and heirloom jewelry. The pieces are made from 100% recycled metal and lab grown gems, highlighting their emphasis on sustainability. The brand’s motto is “contemporary heirlooms, handcrafted in London”.

The pieces themselves are exactly as envisioned by Vernon and Joe Stugis, who joined the brand in 2022. Imperfect, but perfectly so, with rough edges and gems set almost haphazardly within the metal. The raw look of the metal leans into this inspiration of antiques and heirlooms. But upon closer inspection, it’s clear that everything is made with precision and a meticulous hand. Every single piece is handcrafted and if you’re lucky enough, you’ll see evidence of the designer’s fingerprint left within the metal. Human and intimate, connecting the maker and wearer.

Keburia

Keburia was founded in 2015 by George Keburia in Tbilisi, Georgia. Although not quite as new as the other brands listed, this label is notable, nonetheless. Keburia collections are surrealist and fantastical in nature, aiming for clothing to provide something more than simply functionality. Fashion escapism is the brand’s ethos. Keburia explores femininity by experimenting with fabrics, silhouettes, and tailoring. He combines masculine elements with classic feminine elegance. The result is fashion that is playful, unique, and reimagined.

Keburia’s most recent collection keeps true to the fashion escapism concept of the brand. Whether it’s a modern take on a circus headmaster or a dual-toned snakeskin dress with a bubble skirt, Keburia is doing it like no one has done before. Each look plays with proportion and structure in ways that shouldn’t work, but somehow always do. I, for one, am looking forward to the surrealist and whimsical world of Keburia this London Fashion Week.

Karoline Vitto

Karoline Vitto, owner of her eponymous label, is a Brazilian designer based in London. The brand’s objective is to create sculptural, size-inclusive garments for women. Vitto celebrates femininity and places women at the center of all her designs, creating garments that highlight areas that are often hidden or overlooked in fashion. Karoline Vitto is a NEWGEN brand that has been recognized by Vogue Business and was a semi-finalist of the LVMH Prize. Karoline Vitto pieces are made to order and come in sizes XS – 2XL.

Two defining characteristics of a Karoline Vitto piece are the metal embellishments and the cutouts. Vitto uses these features to accentuate and celebrate the sensuality of a woman’s body. The metal ladders can be found in her most recent collections, used to bind together bold leg slits or to decorate an open backed piece. Each garment is thoughtfully crafted for women of all sizes, to highlight their natural beauty. This type of inclusivity often lacks in fashion spaces, and it will be inspiring to see Karoline Vitto’s newest collection this year.

Yaku

Yaku Stapleton, founder of Yaku, is a Leeds Beckett and Central Saint Martins graduate. Founded in 2023, Stapleton launched this brand after winning the L’Oréal Creative Award for his MA collection. The brand’s ethos is: “explore, self-reflect, exchange, evolve, enjoy”. Yaku’s pieces tell a story. The label’s aim is to allow wearers to revert back to their childlike wonder, nostalgia for childhood freedom, and to reconnect with their own self-exploration. Yaku is a NEWGEN brand that has collaborated with several brands, including Nike and MSCHF.

Yaku’s debut collection is The ImPossible Family Reunion in RPG Space. This series showcased fantasy versions of members of Stapleton’s family, where he reimagined them as RPG (role-playing game) characters. The collection is filled with highly imaginative pieces that look straight out of a video game. It’s a mix of fantasy and modernity, with sword motifs paired with camouflage print, and capes paired with hooded sweatshirts. It’s a striking balance and unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. I’m eagerly awaiting the future fantasy realm that Yaku will transport us to at this London Fashion Week.

Di Petsa

Womenswear label, Di Petsa, was founded in 2019 by Greek designer Dimitra Petsa. Petsa graduated from Central Saint Martins with a BA in performance design and an MA in fashion design womenswear. She combined her education and classic dressmaking skills that she learned from her seamstress grandmother into Di Petsa, a brand that embodies the Goddess aesthetic. The brand’s ultimate intention is to explore the ecofeminist relationship of women and water. Each piece combines detailed traditional craftsmanship with performance art and film.

Di Petsa is the creator of the signature “Wetlook” dress which has been worn by many celebrities including Bella Hadid, SZA, and Lizzo. The Wetlook is meant to symbolize self-acceptance and the fluidity of beings. The brand has been noted in many publications and was nominated as DAZED100 NextGen designer 2021.

Di Petsa’s collection The Moon Tastes of Wine perfectly encapsulates the brand’s focus on fluidity. One of their most notable pieces includes the Wetlook pregnancy dress, an evolution of the original Wetlook dress. Women and water are the clear muses of this collection – celebrating a fierce femininity. Dresses made from folded leather that shine like reflected light, chiffon draped to mimic the way of water. Each piece is thoughtfully crafted to best reflect the brand’s ethos and we’re eagerly awaiting this year’s collection, to see the newest exploration of water and womanhood.

We’re counting down the days until we get to see all these designers in action. Until next time! Follow us on Instagram: @StyleCartel and @StyleCartelMedia on TikTok, too, and leave a comment below!

The post 7 Notable New Designers to Watch for at London Fashion Week appeared first on Style Cartel.

Louis Vuitton FW26 Men’s Show: Pharrell’s Timeless Vision & Boom Box Bags

The décor? Pure nostalgia. Think plush carpets and vintage tech. This wasn’t just a show. It was an experience. Williams’ DROPHAUS concept anchored the setting. It’s a prefabricated home, an ode to timeless living.

The Scene: 80s & 90s Living Room Realness

The collection centred on men’s accessories. Specifically, instrument carriers. But not your grandad’s instrument cases. These were elevated, functional, and undeniably cool. The standout piece? The Boom Box Bag.

Accessories: Carry Your Sound

It’s what your breakdance crew carried. It’s iconic. It’s a statement.

Other notable pieces included bags shaped like a TV and a landline phone. These “Objects” are pure retro-futurism. The Mini Wardrobe Trunk is perfect for jewellery. A shearling bunny bag adds a playful touch.

The Dandy Gets an Athletic Twist

The tailoring was exceptional. Suit jackets boasted an athletic twist. This fusion created a “Future Dandy” silhouette. It’s sharp yet nonchalant. Wearable pieces dominated the runway. They spoke to a broad, inclusive demographic.

Technical Timeless Textiles stole the show. Light-reflective houndstooths shone brightly. Thermo-adaptive silks offered comfort. Aluminium-bonded fabrics sculpted to the body. Every garment performed beyond appearance.

Footsteps & Gear: From Sci-Fi to Street

The footwear was equally impressive. The Sierra boot is a sturdy VVN silhouette. It merges sci-fi adventurer with classic design. The new LV Drop sneaker features a ripple-effect sole. Scarves and caps appeared in vicuña and LV Silk-Nylon. Belts featured futuristic LV buckles.

Gems & Goggles: Retro-Futurism Shines

Jewellery included robotic Louis Bear charms. Cassette tape charms added to the retro vibe. Sunglasses, like the LV Lock, sported deep, rounded frames. The LV Speed wrap-around, in ultra-light aluminium, was futuristic.

Pharrell Williams: Creative Visionary

Pharrell Williams is more than a designer. He is a creative force. His vision reframes luxury. It’s about utility and timelessness. His approach is rooted in human need. He champions artisanal and scientific ingenuity.

Inclusion on the Global Stage

The presence of people of colour at Paris Fashion Week is vital. It promotes diverse perspectives. It enriches the luxury lifestyle conversation. This collection undeniably speaks to a global community.

Final Take: Wearable Art

The Louis Vuitton Fall-Winter 2026 collection is a triumph. It’s wearable, sellable, and relevant. It’s luxury redefined. It merges past, present, and future seamlessly.

SOUNDTRACK / Score
Recorded and produced by Pharrell Williams at the Louis Vuitton in-house recording studios, the soundtrack features the compositions Pray For Ya by John Legend, Sex God by Jackson Wang feat. Pusha T), Disturbing The P by A$AP Rocky (feat. Pharrell Williams), The One by Voices of Fire feat. Pharrell Williams) and Hit-A-Lik by Quavo.

What were your favourite pieces and music from the show? Share your thoughts below! Get the Look: Follow Style Cartel on Instagram and TikTok for more exclusive Men’s Fashion. Which look are you taking to the mountains next season? Drop a comment below!

The post LOUIS VUITTON PRESENTS MEN’S F/W2026: A FASHION JAM SESSION appeared first on Style Cartel.