McQueen Unveils Spring/Summer 2026 Pre-Collection: Rebellion, Refinement, and Archival Reinvention
- camilarosiaz
- Dec 9, 2025
- 2 min read
Against the historic backdrop of Eltham Palace, McQueen presents its Spring/Summer 2026 Pre-Collection, a study in tension between heritage and hedonism. The narrative evokes youth in search of escape—an atmosphere reminiscent of Dafydd Jones’ The Last Hurrah—where aristocratic formality collides with contemporary irreverence.
Washed denim, narrow tailoring, and cummerbund waistbands introduce a sleek, modern silhouette, while shattered chandelier embroideries on black silk nod to both decadence and rebellion. Sharp suiting, cut close to the body, channels the precision of Savile Row, punctuated by polished metal T-Bar details that disrupt traditional black-tie codes.
Archival house signatures reappear, re-engineered for a new era: McQueen tartan, featherlight florals, and gossamer layers are draped and deconstructed with modern fluidity. The iconic Manta bag from Spring/Summer 2010 returns as The Manta, a sculptural leather accessory with adjustable geometry and newly introduced character bag charms.
Outerwear explores British countryside heritage through an urban lens—waxed cotton jackets, gabardine car coats, and sculpted black leather pieces all cinched and reimagined with the brand’s unmistakable silhouette.
ACCESSORIES
The Manta—a modern evolution of the original De Manta—arrives in soft, folded leather with angular architecture and expressive charms.
SHOES
The Skull pumps stand out with knife-edge lines and a metal skull charm at the heel, paired with Countryside boots featuring polished zips and buckles.
JEWELLERY
Fringed crystal Chandelier pieces and Skull and Pearl designs play with classic McQueen dualities—elegance sharpened by edge.
FABRICS
Heritage British wools, grain de poudre, mohair tailoring with satin lapels, engineered floral gabardine, wool felts, and Glen checks ground the collection in craftsmanship. Textiles also span gesso silk georgette, skull-printed silk twill foulards, spiderweb florals, and vibrant skull-embroidered chiffon. Cotton outerwear in endurance gabardine and wax finishes completes the material story.
