Fit For a Quinn
Review of Richard Quinn Spring 2026 Fashion Show
By Angela Baidoo
THE COLLECTION
THE VIBE
Delivering on decadence, Proof in the pivot, Art of the occasion
A select few British designers have figured out that the key to their longevity lies in mastering the art of the occasion. Taking after Charles Frederick Worth – the ‘Father of Haute Couture’ – names such as Harris Reed and Standing Ground alongside Richard Quinn have formed an unlikely trio reviving the practice in the UK.
In 2017 Richard Quinn burst onto the London scene and remained an unmissable fashion week favourite due to his bombastic use of giant florals and a sometimes-challenging (even confrontational, in a good way) incorporation of BDSM codes into his work. His fall 2021 lookbook, for example, featured a gimp-mask wearing model dreamily staring away from the camera in a wallpaper floral mini dress. His reworking of the classic quilted puffer jacket (coordinated with matching leggings) also brought the Moncler Genius project calling – twice!!
Quinn’s avant-garde collections are expertly-crafted in their execution but the exploration of both the surreal and fetishism spliced with gowns fit for a garden party or gala may have split his target market. So, a segue into a fully fledged couture-like maison was a shrewd, yet very smart, pivot for the designer. As the inner-workings of the one percents social calendar are now broadcast live via social media as must-see event viewing, they require bespoke creations that cannot be found off-the-rack. From fundraising galas to debutante balls, the Venice film festival, traditional weddings and even state visits continue to prove themselves a lucrative market where demand still warrants a steady supply, in contrast to ready-to-wear.
Dedicating himself to a highly decorative method of dressing up, the designer’s bespoke offering and appointment-only atelier could eventually rival those in Paris, while his designs are distinctively fifties ‘English Rose’ inspired he has also levelled up the perception of British design output, as his spring 2026 collection and the many others since his debut, place an emphasis on maximalist bejewelled embellishment, form-enhancing silhouettes, and an English rose often worn front-and-centre.
THE DIRECTION
THE WRAP UP
Elegance as a form of escapism saw Richard Quinn once again wow his audience with another grandiose spring 2026 collection. Led by Naomi Campbell, each look demonstrated that the UK is becoming a mini-powerhouse in dressing for the occasion. A pastime which is slowly regaining interest online as we seek to make the most of every memory-making moment (it is no longer excessive for brides to order two to three dresses to wear on their special day!), and with new regions coming into play there is little doubt that Quinn will be kept busy in his atelier for years to come.
