amphetamine dreams...

"what's the best that could happen?"

2. "comparison is the thief of joy"

3. "Look for magic in the mundane"

4. "I haven't even met All of Me yet"

5. "Thank You for Dancing"

6. "Fucketh 'round and findeth out"

7. "it could go either way and either way I'm good"

8. "Live magically"

9. "Ready Is not a feeling IT IS A DECISION"

10. "don't be scared of taking up space!!!"

November 2021->July 2026: Photo Dump No.27

DATE SAVED, L-R BY ROW:

12th March 2026, 6th February 2026 [details @ Prada RTW F/W26], 21st March 2026, 4th July 2022 [Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando], 28th December 2023 [Zendaya photographed by Elizaveta Porodina for Vogue Italy, July 2022 issue], 26th June 2024 ["broken vows''/"the irises" by Andrea Zanatelli, source: instagram account @andreazanatelli], 11th March 2026, 23rd August 2023 [source: instagram account @stayclosetoyourself], 15th March 2026 [Christchurch, Dorset]

9th April 2026, 17th December 2022 [Kensington Street, Brighton], 27th January 2025 [source: twitter account @northstardoll], 16th May 2022 [Moschino Men's RTW F/W18], 1st April 2026, 27th March 2026, 1st April 2022 [Bella Hadid BTS for Vogue US April 2022 issue, wearing Y/ Project x Jean Paul Gaultier], 21st May 2022 [Chelsea Bridge Road, Borough of Kensington & Chelsea], 24th August 2022 [Giant Gallery, Bournemouth]

17th April 2026 [Maspalomas, Gran Canaria], 16th February 2023 [Daunt Books, Marylebone], 27th December 2023 [Dita Von Teese, "Venus" photographed by Franz Sony, December 2016], 1st April 2026, 21st April 2026, 9th May 2023 [Emily Ratajkowski wearing Atelier Versace HC S/S92 @ the Met Gala, May 2022], 6th March 2025 [Shoes by Manolo Blahnik for John Galliano RTW F/W96 @ Flowers: Floral in Contemporary Art & Culture Exhibition at Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York Square], 23rd December 2021 [Florence Welch photographed at Glastonbury, 2018], 9th August 2023 ["Women Have Always Thought Like Mountains" by Andrea Bowers (2019) @ Dear Earth @ the Hayward Gallery, Southbank]

21st April 2026, 11th November 2023 [source unknown], 20th April 2026 [Maspalomas, Gran Canaria], 29th September 2022, 1st April 2026, 20th December 2023 ["Paris Monte-Carlo" Zodiac clutch from Chanel's Pre-fall 2007 collection, source: twitter account @pradapearll], 30th October 2022 [details @ Gauchere RTW S/S23], 6th March 2025 ["City of Gardens (Suzhou)" by Gordon Cheung (2003) @ Flowers: Floral in Contemporary Art & Culture Exhibition at Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York Square], 20th April 2026

16th April 2026 [Maspalomas, Gran Canaria], 13th October 2025 [source: twitter account @thematrixwizard], 18th April 2026 [Maspalomas, Gran Canaria], 14th January 2025 [source: twitter account @twinklemiley], 18th April 2026, 16th April 2026 [Maspalomas, Gran Canaria], 13th February 2025 [Circe's Rooftop Bar, Waterloo], 11th March 2026, 21st June 2022 [Disney's All-Star Sports Resort, Walt Disney World, Orlando]

30th May 2026, 21st October 2022 [graphic: instagram account @kingsophiesworld, background: Pinterest account @tcavoto], 30th May 2026, 3rd November 2021 [Kate Moss @ John Galliano S/S94], 4th May 2026, 29th August 2024 [source unknown], 21st January 2025 [Grace Elizabeth for Vogue España, July 2023 issue], 8th June 2024 [China Town, Manchester], 8th June 2024 [Southbourne, Dorset]

17th June 2026 [Oval, Lambeth], 12th November 2021 [Gucci Cruise 2018], 10th June 2026, 24th August 2022 ["Island Heat" by Sarah Hardacre (2018) @ Giant Gallery, Bournemouth], 27th August 2023 [Kristen Noel Crawley for Dior Beauty, makeup by Raoul Alejandre, source: twitter account @thesoftestaura], 18th June 2026 [images from Pinterest board: https://pin.it/249LopMfr], 16th June 2026 [Oval, Lambeth], 21st March 2023 ["The Art of Behaving Badly" by the Guerrilla Girls (2023) @ Beyond the Streets @ Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York Square], 26th December 2022 [source: instagram account @posterjournal]

27th June 2026 [Bournemouth, Dorset], 15th November 2023 [details @ Alexander McQueen RTW F/W23], 26th June 2026 [Christchurch, Dorset], 23rd September 2022 [Walworth Road, Southwark], 28th June 2025 [Kate Moss @ Todd Oldham RTW F/W93], 28th May 2026 [graphic: instagram account @kiracyan.design, background: Pinterest account @MidnightMuse], 23rd November 2025 ["Titania and Bottom" by Henry Fuesli (c.1790) @ Tate Britain, Millbank], 10th June 2026, 27th June 2026

16th June 2026 ["Memory" by Hilal Argun @ the Chelsea Art Society's 77th Annual Summer Exhibition @ Chelsea Old Town HalI, the King's Road], 26th July 2026, 14th September 2022 [details @ Puppets and Puppets, RTW S/S23], 21st March 2023 [artwork by FUTURA2000 X The Clash @ Beyond the Streets @ The Saatchi Gallery, Duke of York Square], 30th May 2026, 24th July 2026, 5th July 2026 [Finsbury Park, Haringey], 4th June 2026 [graphic: instagram account @jzcreativespace.jpg, background: Pinterest account @flufpie], 25th May 2024 [Manolo Blahnik butterfly heels from Sororité Vintage, source: twitter account @badestoutfit]

"everything you need is already within you"

2. "don't die wondering.."

3. "the best is yet to come"

4. "don't tell me to smile"

5. "ur gonna figure it out, like you always have"

6. "I trust myself"

7. "be kind to your mind!!!"

8. "thriving out of spite"

9. "I am going to make a very beautiful life for myself no matter what it takes"

10. "will you ever be mine?"

-clockwise l-r: Patou RTW F/W26, Pauline Dujancourt ", Pepa Salazar RTW S/S26, Petar Petrov RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: 3.1 Phillip Lim Pre-fall 2026, PH5 Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, 3.1 Phillip Lim RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Pillings RTW F/W26, Polo Ralph Lauren ", Ralph Lauren Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Philipp Plein "-

-clockwise l-r: Plan C RTW F/W26, Prabal Gurung ", Prada ", PRISCAVera ", Proenza Schouler "-

-clockwise l-r: R13 Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Rachel Comey Pre-fall 2026-

-clockwise l-r: Rabanne Pre-fall 2026, Rahul Mishra Haute Couture S/S26, Rahul Mishra AFEW RTW FW/26, Rabanne "-

-clockwise l-r: Rami Al Ali Haute Couture S/S26, Richard Quinn RTW F/W26, Rave Review ", Rio RTW S/S26-

-clockwise l-r: Rick Owens RTW F/W26, Robert Wun Haute Couture S/S26, Roberto Cavalli RTW F/W26, Pre-fall 2026, Rodarte RTW F/W26, Roksanda ", Ronald van der Kemp Haute Couture S/S26-

-clockwise l-r: Rowen Rose Men’s RTW F/W26, Sacai RTW F/W26, Saint Laurent Resort 2026, Sharon Wauchob ", Saint Laurent RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Schiaparelli RTW F/W26, Haute Couture S/S26, Sandy Liang RTW F/W26, Shiatzy Chen "-

-clockwise l-r: Sea Pre-fall 2026, Shuting Qiu RTW F/W26, Simon Miller Resort 2026, Sea RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Self-Portrait Pre-fall 2026, Shushu/Tong RTW F/W26, Self-Portrait RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Simone Rocha RTW F/W26, Sportmax ", Pre-fall 2026, Sinead Gorey RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Staud Pre-fall 2026, Stella McCartney RTW F/W26, Pre-fall 2026, Situationist RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Studio Constance RTW F/W26, Susan Fang ", Steve O Smith ", The Attico Resort 2026-

-clockwise l-r: Tanya Taylor RTW F/W26, The Row Resort 2027, The Garment RTW F/W26, The VXLLEY "-

-clockwise l-r: Thom Browne RTW F/W26, Time 1993 ", Tibi ", Toga "-

-clockwise l-r: Tod’s RTW F/W26, Tom Ford ", Tokyo James ", Tolu Coker "-

-clockwise l-r: Tory Burch RTW F/W26, Ujoh ", Torishéju ", Undercover "-

-clockwise l-r: Ulla Johnson Pre-fall 2026, Uma Wang RTW F/W26, Vaquera ", Ulla Johnson RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Valentino Haute Couture S/S26, RTW F/W26, Pre-fall 2026, Viktor & Rolf RTW F/W26, Haute Couture S/S26-

-clockwise l-r: Victoria Beckham Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Vivienne Westwood ", Viviano ", William Fan ", Weinsanto "-

-clockwise l-r: Willy Chavarria Men’s RTW F/W26, Xu Zhi ", Yigal Azrouël Pre-fall 2026, Yirantian RTW F/W26, Y-3 Men’s RTW F/W26, Yohji Yamamoto "-

-Zimmerman RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Zoe Gustavia Anna Whalen RTW F/W26, Zuhair Murad RTW F/W26, Zomer ", Zuhair Murad Pre-fall 2026, Haute Couture S/S26, Zankov "-

The Big Top 30

I'm going to keep this as short as possible today because as one very kind person told me in my inbox (I'm not being sarcastic, it was genuinely nice, lol!) that they loved these posts but that they take up too much space on the dashboard. I guess I could split them up into smaller posts, and I will consider that going forwards but it's a bit too late in this series to do that, lol! So in the interest of keeping this compact, I won't be giving my 2 cents on every collection I've included in my top 30, especially because I half the time I end up raving about the same brands anyway. Like I've spoken about Etro enough times now, anybody who's read a fashion post of mine will have gotten the point, I'm sure! To quote Hannah Horvath "I have a strong opinion about everything, even topics I'm not informed on" but replace "even topics I'm not informed on" with "even when my opinions on those topics are completely repetitive" :-)

With that in mind, here we go, in no particular order...

-clockwise l-r: Valentino Haute Couture S/S26, Blumarine RTW F/W26, David Koma ", LoveShackFancy ", Zimmerman ", Dreaming Eli "-

1. Valentino Haute Couture S/S26, Creative Dir. Alessandro Michele: I know I said I wouldn't be repetitive but I need to make an exception to once again say that I love Alessandro so much, his creativity is endless and I am eternally in awe of his work. This collection is no different. That's all!

2. Blumarine RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. David Koma: Since his namesake collection is the next on this list, I'll talk about David Koma again in a second (which is, I know...repetitive, sorry!). So for now, I'll just say I am so grateful he was brought on for Blumarine because I couldn't think of a better person. There was really a moment after Nicola Brogano left where I thought the brand's magic would be lost forever, and he keeps proving me wrong!

3. David Koma RTW F/W26, Creative Dir.": SO on the subject of David Koma, he is bit of a genius to me. He has done the impossible; whilst his signature touch has been responsible for the revival of pre-Walter Chiapponi Blumarine, he's managed to do that in a way that doesn't make it feel like an extension of his namesake brand, which itself maintains (if this collection and his latest few are anything to go by) its own gorgeously unique allure. Though his presence is evident throughout both, the two brands remain totally distinct and consistent to their respective identities and it's really bloody impressive. I think the fashion community owes this man wayyy more praise than he gets!

4. LoveShackFancy RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Rebecca Hessel Cohen: If I'd been capable of designing clothes for my Barbie dolls myself, I would've designed them exactly like this. Indeed, the fact that I would still feel blessed to wear any of these outfits now might suggest I need to grow up, lol. In my eyes, however, what's wrong with keeping what I loved about clothes and fashion as a little girl alive? If you're not wearing what makes you feel excited and happy, what is the point?!

5. Zimmerman RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Nicky Zimmerman: Nicky Zimmerman, your collections are so special to me. That is all.

6. Dreaming Eli RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Elisa Trombatore: Until somebody puts these Dilara Findikoglu racism rumours to rest, Elisa Trombarte is doing an amazing job at filling the Dilara void to me with her designs. I know I'm going off on a bit of a tangent here but for context, this article outlines the Dilara stuff: https://fashionista.com/2025/12/dilara-findikoglu-ex-employees-interns-toxic-workplace-culture-exploitation If I had enough people who took my opinions seriously enough to care, my stance on some of these rumours would probably be controversial, but since these people do not exist, I'm just going to say it. Yes, the accusations that she overworks her interns is bad, but I mean, that's the fashion industry isn't it? Or all industries nowadays? If you're doing an internship for her at all, even encouraged to study fashion as something that you can feasibly turn into a career in the first place (rather than sticking to something which will likely pay your bills sooner rather than later), you're kind of one of the lucky ones. Until the entire industry is overhauled, which I'm not denying it should be (because of course creative industries shouldn't be gate kept for the people whose families have enough money to allow them to do unpaid internships! But that's just the way it is right now!), I think that a designer overworking industry newcomers is the price those newcomers by and large should accept they have to pay; if you have the freedom to potentially waste time studying fashion at Central Saint Martins in the hopes you'll one day make it in that line of work, GENERALLY speaking, it's probably the only time in your life you'll be on the unfavourable end of the late-stage capitalism that made this privilege possible in the first place. That's probably an incredibly unpopular stance to take but my point is, I can overlook pissed-off interns. And take my opinion on that with a pinch of salt; part of my ambivalence when it comes to how her company treats her interns probably comes from a negative bias towards CSM students, which look, is a sentiment shared by many others who studied at one of the London unis. Maybe we're all just bitter bitches, lol. As for the claims that she's one of these bigger designers who steals from smaller ones; to be honest, these crop up so frequent now that I'm pretty indifferent about them too. Again, that's kind of where we're at now, right? Everything has already been done by somebody else before at some point. There's a limited amount of inspiration to go round. If the final execution is ultimately different, then it's hard to really say who's right or wrong. It's the allegations that Dilara is racist towards her models/when casting her shows makes me hesitant to include her in any posts these days, despite how much I've always adored her work. It's for this reason that I initially jumped on the Dreaming Eli train. The designs are about as close to Dilara Findikoglu as you can get, minus the ethical murkiness surrounding the latter. But regardless of how those issues are resolved/if they're ever addressed at all (and to cheesily continue the analogy, lol) I am looking forward to riding this new train to the end of the track:-)

-clockwise l-r: Erdem RTW F/W26, Etro ", Christian Dior Pre-fall 2026, Shushu/Tong RTW F/W26, Maison Margiela ", Chloé "-

7. Erdem RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Erdem Moralıoğlu MBE: For the brand's 20th Anniversary collection, Erdem Moralıoğlu chose to remind us that he can pull off the balancing act that is channelling punk whilst keeping things poised like nobody's business; that being said, he kind of does that every season so F/W26 was a welcome edition to the roster for me.

8. Etro RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Marco De Vincenzo: I originally had no notes for this Etro collection because I would only be singing the same praises I sing every time fashion week comes around, however I just found out Marco De Vincenzo will be stepping down from his 4-year post as creative director and now I'm sad:( and scared:( Given a lot of brands tend to dabble in the bohemian aesthetic pool, it's hard for a brand defined by that style to consistently retain a distinct identity; for the past 4 years, Marco has absolutely lived up to this obligation, without the designs ever feeling lazy or trite. He has done an amazing job at maintaining the dark romantic undercurrent which keeps the functional, nomadic style Etro is known feeling fresh and unique. I can only hope that whoever takes over from Marco can step comfortably into his shoes so that we don't have a repeat of the bleak year before David Koma stepped up at Blumarine post Nicola Brogano. I know I'm speaking into the void here but! Just in case some astronomically meagre odds work in my favour, I want to speak it into existence! That whoever is in charge of deciding who takes over from Marco listens to this plea: do not let Walter Chiapponi anywhere near Etro! Pleaseee!

9. Christian Dior Pre-fall 2026, Creative Dir. Jonathan Anderson: I know I'm not in the minority when I say I haven't liked Dior for years-not just because I wasn't a fan of Maria Grazia Chiuri but also because of their decision to force Bella Hadid to step down as an ambassador, allegedly due to her being so vocal about her support of Palestine. Since Maria's left, and their internal shake-up happened, however, I decided to give it another chance. I wasn't expecting it to do much for me because I'm not a huge fan of Jonathan Anderson, which I know IS a minority position within the fashion community (I am fully aware these opinions come from people with an immeasurably greater wealth of fashion knowledge than myself but in response to this, I'd like to refer anyone reading back to a couple of points ago where I identified with Hannah Horvath's approach to expressing her opinions), but I actually really loved the Pre-fall collection. Though I liked Jonathan's RTW and Haute Couture collections more than I expected, they weren't up there with my favourites-this one, however, is very dreamy:)

10. Shushu/Tong RTW F/W26, Creative Dir(s). Liushu Lei & Yutong Jiang

11. Maison Margiela RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Glenn Martens: Don't get me wrong, I've loved Diesel's comeback under Glenn Martens (?) but to find out he's also responsible for Margiela...I am ...shocked! The fact I didn't realise he'd taken over from John Galliano is really a massive testament to Martens' artistry; of all the designers whose work your own could be mistaken for, Galliano's is probably up there with the best of them.

12. Chloé RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Chemena Kamali: Considering that Chloé has pretty much become a staple of these lists since Chemena Kamali took over, I was crushed (that might be a little overdramatic but you know what I mean) by how ambivalent I was towards the S/S26 collection. I thought Chloé was on a Sandy Liang/Miu Miu trajectory, that the powers that be had decided that the brand had become too "pretty" or whatever. That's not a bad thing in my opinion, but what do I know. Too often it seems like there's a sudden push for brand which is known for a distinctly feminine aesthetic, be it of the whimsical variety, high glamour or (in Chloé's case) the romantic, to be more "risky" or "avant-garde"; then comes the deconstruction, the androgyny, the clashing colours and all that stuff that seems to please a fashion critic. I'm glad I was wrong-it doesn't seem like Chemena is abandoning lace or ruffles any time soon:)

-clockwise l-r: Gaurav Gupta Haute Couture S/S26, Polo Ralph Lauren RTW F/W26, Celia Kritharioti Haute Couture S/S26, Ann Demeulemeester RTW F/W26, Pre-fall 2026, Elie Saab Haute Couture S/S26, Bibhu Mohapatra RTW F/W26-

13. Gaurav Gupta Haute Couture S/S26, Creative Dir."

14. Polo Ralph Lauren RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Karen Brown Body: I never thought I'd be so enamoured with a Ralph Lauren collection as I am with this. We are talking a brand which makes jumpers you can (if you're lucky) pick up at a good charity shop for less than £10. Maybe it's just the styling which is making me more interested than I ordinarily would be, or maybe it's because Lana Del Rey showed up at one of their recent shows, I don't know. Either way, it's on my list.

15. Celia Kritharioti Haute Couture S/S26, Creative Dir.": Why don't people speak about Celia Kritharioti? Why doesn't anybody seem to wear her dresses on the red carpet? Why must her company PAY Vogue Runway for her collections to be featured? They are so gorgeous! And in addition to that, Google tells me she works out of the oldest haute couture atelier in Greece! What's going on here? I don't think anybody really uses the term "slept-on" anymore in the year of 2026 but it feels like a very appropriate adjective to me!

16. Ann Demeulemeester RTW F/W26 & Pre-fall 2026, Creative Dir. Stefano Gallici: I know it could be considered a bit of a cop-out that I have included two Ann Demeulemeester collections under one rank but one just feels like a continuation of a broader theme which I'm going to call gothic pirate. I never really considered that being an aesthetic I enjoy, but this year, Stefano Gallici proved I really do.

17. Elie Saab Haute Couture S/S26, Creative Dir."

18. Bibhu Mohapatra RTW F/W26, Creative Dir.": I'm doubling down on my use of the term slept-on, however outdated it may be, because it also really applies to Bibhu Mohapatra too. When satin and jewells are involved, I am easily sold, and there were plenty of these things to go around in this collection so here it is on the list.

-clockwise l-r: AVAVAV RTW F/W26, Ashi Studio Haute Couture S/S26, Saint Laurent RTW F/W26, Bottega Veneta ", Zuhair Murad Haute Couture S/S26, Nina Ricci RTW F/W26-

19. AVAVAV RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Beate Karlsson: There have been some very questionable AVAVAV collections over the years, which at times have seemed more focussed on shock value than on the designs themselves. This one was different, as long as I averted my eyes from the shoes, which I have really gone out of my way to avoid including anywhere on the post. To spare anyone seeking them out, here's what it is: the shoes are designed to look like feet. And I'm sorry, but I just cannot get on board with that. Even Tabis are too far anatomically correct for me. Let alone whatever was going on in this collection. Apart from the foot shoes though, it was interesting to see a clean, minimalist take on the grunge aesthetic; although I'm extremely bored by this whole "clean girl" movement and wish it had stayed in 2025, it's refreshing to see a style I love done differently, and equally, pleasantly surprising to see it come from a brand I'd pretty much written off. In that sense, you could argue I'm doing the classic teacher thing of giving undue praise because I had low expectations but these teachers are a fact of life, as are my own biases. What can I say?

20. Ashi Studio Haute Couture S/S26, Creative Dir. Mohammed Ashi: The more I started to take note of Ashi Studio, the more I've realised how many good red carpet looks Mohammed Ashi is responsible for, and there is a LOT. Sculpturesque, a little alien, but also beautiful at the same time, so many of his designs are genuinely show-stopping and I look forward to seeing what comes next from him:-)

21. Saint Laurent RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Anthony Vaccarello: It could be said that Anthony Vaccarello never strays too far from the dark, glitzy understated gothic feel he's established as the blueprint for Saint Laurent since he took over; I can see, for that reason, why some might have come to find the brand a bit boring in recent years. That being said, I always love it, so here it is on the list.

22. Bottega Veneta RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Louise Trotter: No offence to Louise Trotter (or her parents, or anyone with that surname I guess, lol) but it's not a name you would typically associate with the creative director of a fashion house. A librarian, or a teacher, yes. Against all odds, however, she defies her name's expectations and with this collection, continues to maintain Bottega's reputation as a bold but forward-thinking, and in short very cool, luxury brand.

23. Zuhair Murad Haute Couture S/S26, Creative Dir.": What gets me about Zuhair Murad is that his RTW collections are always so meh. Every time though, his Haute Couture is stunning, beautiful, opulent, the epitome of classic Haute Couture, which will continue to be all these things even 50 years from now. I really think his Haute Couture gets better every year.

24. Nina Ricci RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Harris Reed: I think this is Harris Reed's final collection for Nina Ricci and I am so sad to see him go because he really revitalised the brand. The shapes! The colours! I won't argue that it matches the creativity we see from him when he's designing for his own brand but what he's done for Nina Ricci is everything I want to see in fashion.

-clockwise l-r: Rahul Mishra Haute Couture S/S26, Annie's Ibiza RTW F/W26, Khaite ", McQueen ", Chopova Lowena ", GCDS "-

25. Rahul Mishra Haute Couture S/S26, Creative Dir.": The only earth, wind and fire I care about! Do I remember the 21st night of September? I do not. But I will remember these pieces for sure.

26. Annie's Ibiza RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Annie Doble: As I said in a post recently, it's soooo cool to see Annie Doble's work on a runway where it belongs rather than scattered across an Instagram feed:D Even if it means the odds I'll ever own one of the embroidered mini dresses is now close to zero, I'll take that to be able to see them in all their glory.

27. Khaite RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Cate Holstein: Cate Holstein knows what she's doing, once again delivering a collection which embodies the moody elegance that is Khaite's USP.

28. McQueen RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Seán McGirr: Taking the lead at a brand like Alexander McQueen, which has gone through two distinct and beloved eras now under Alexander himself and subsequently, Sarah Burton, was always going to be a formidable task. Obviously, everyone reveres Alexander's work; there is no doubt that he was a designer was more artistically driven than he was geared towards the brand's commercial viability, which in turn solidified his status as an icon of the fashion world. That being said, I became interested in fashion when Sarah Burton was the brand's creative director. Her opulent, gothic-inspired collections, particularly from the late 2010s, are some of my favourite to ever have seen on the runway. With that in mind, it's been my instinct to measure Seán's work against 2 impossible standards. It's not Alexander's McQueen and it's not Sarah's McQueen, but I liked this collection enough to accept that the brand is going in a new direction and to keep an open mind going forwards!

29. Chopova Lowena RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Emma Chopova & Laura Lowena-Irons: Seeing PinkPantheress wearing Chopova Lowena on the red carpet really made me view her collections in a new light. As much as I've been a fan of the pair's work in the past, I was never able to envision the clothes worn outside of, like, Camden Market (which in hindsight, I was subconsciously aware I meant in a derogatory way). Essentially, as much as I admired a lot of the pieces I found it hard to think of the brand as being in the same league as most other runway staples. PinkPantheress in a Chopova Lowena dress, though, made me see the vision. And this collection just got me thinking about all the other people that would look amazing in her stuff. FKA Twigs for one. So what I'm basically saying being forced to overlook the occasionally messy styling and instead imagine how the clothes can look, gave me a new level of appreciation for this collection and likely many more of them going forwards.

30. GCDS RTW F/W26, Creative Dir. Giuliano Calza: A simple but very cute collection which had me saving many of the runway looks in my outfit inspiration photo album! This utility puts it firmly on the list!

And that's it for now! Unfortunately, I still don't know how to sign off a post in a short but sweet, natural way so until I do, abruptly will have to suffice.

For the most recent updates on the situation in the Middle East, as the Israel's sustained aggression towards Palestine and the surrounding regions continues to go unpublicised by the UK media, I recommend Al Jazeera's dedicated coverage on Israel:

And because it's still happening, if you like me are in the UK and want to keep it in the public eye, I recently found a Facebook page where people announce protest events in their area you can join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/239672502014/

Thank you to anyone who read:-)

Currently Obsessing Over, Debrief No.7: Met Gala Favourites (And the Guillotine for Jeff Bezos)

-l-r: Etro Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Ferragamo Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Ferrari Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Fetico RTW F/W26, 7 For All Mankind ", Gabriela Hearst ", Gaurav Gupta Haute Couture S/S26-

-clockwise l-r: GCDS RTW F/W26, Genny ", Germanier Haute Couture S/S26, Georges Hobeika RTW F/W26-

-top to bottom: Ganni Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Giuseppe de Morabito Pre-fall 2026, Givenchy RTW F/W26, Harris Reed ", Giuseppe di Morabito RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Gucci Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Heirlome Pre-fall 2026, Hervé Léger "-

-clockwise l-r: Hermes RTW F/W26, Holzweiler ", Hodakova ", Institution By Galib Gassanoff "-

-clockwise l-r: Hui Milano RTW F/W26, Huishan Zhang ", Institut Français de la Mode ", Isabel Marant "-

-clockwise l-r: Jacquemus RTW F/W26, Isabel Sanchis ", Ioannes ", John Richmond "-

-clockwise l-r: Jacques Wei RTW F/W26, Jane Wade ", HYKE ", Julie de Libran Haute Couture S/S26-

-clockwise l-r: Jil Sander RTW F/W26, Johanna Ortiz ", Joseph ", Juan-Vidal "-

-clockwise l-r: Kallmeyer Prefall 2026, RTW F/W26, Karoline Vitto ", Kiko Kostadinov ", Julie Kegels "-

-clockwise l-r: Kent & Curwen RTW F/W26, Khaite Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, KNWLS ", KidSuper Men’s RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Kim Shui RTW F/W26, La DoubleJ ", Lacoste ", Lanvin Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: LaQuan Smith RTW F/W26, Lauren Manoogian ", Lela Rose Pre-fall 2026, Lemaire RTW F/W26, Laura Gerte "-

-clockwise l-r: Libertine RTW F/W26, Loewe ", London College of Fashion ", Lou de Bètoly ", Louis Vuitton ", Ludovic de Saint Sernin "-

-clockwise l-r: LoveShackFancy Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Luisa Beccaria ", Luisa Spagnoli ", Mame Kurogouchi "-

-clockwise l-r: Magda Butrym Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26,  ManéMané RTW S/S26, RTW F/W26, Marco Rambaldi ", Marc Jacobs RTW S/S26-

-clockwise l-r: Maison Margiela RTW F/W26, MM6 Maison Margiela Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Marina Moscone "-

-clockwise l-r: Marine Serre RTW F/W26, Markgong ", Marie Adam-Leenaerdt ", Mary Katrantzou "-

-clockwise l-r: Marni RTW F/W26, Marques'Almeida Pre-fall 2026, Masha Popova RTW F/W26, Matières Fécales "-

-clockwise l-r: Max Mara RTW F/W26, McQueen ", Resort 2026, Meruert Tolegen-

-clockwise l-r: Michael Kors RTW F/W26, Miss Sohee Haute Couture S/S26, Missoni RTW F/W26, Miu Miu "-

-clockwise l-r: Mithridate RTW F/W26, MKDT Studio ", Monique Lhuillier ", Moschino "-

-clockwise l-r: Monse Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Mossi ", Mugler "-

-clockwise l-r: MSGM Pre-fall 2026, Mukcyen RTW F/W26, Naeem Khan ", Nanushka Pre-fall 2026, MSGM RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Natasha Zinko RTW F/W26, Off-White Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Nili Lotan Pre-fall 2026, Nicklas Skovgaard RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Nina Ricci RTW F/W26, Nº21 Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Onitsuka Tiger ", Oude Waag "-

-clockwise l-r: A.W.A.K.E. MODE RTW F/W26, Acne Studios ", Abra ", ACT N°1 "-

-clockwise l-r: Alainpaul RTW F/W26, Alberta Ferretti ", Akris ", Alice + Olivia "-

-top to bottom: Alaïa RTW F/W26, Resort 2026-

-clockwise l-r: Alessandra Rich RTW F/W26, Altuzarra ", Amiri Men's RTW F/W26, Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Ann Demeulemeester Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Anna October Prefall 2026, RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Anna Sui RTW F/W26, Annie’s Ibiza ", Anne Sofie Madsen ", Anrealage "-

-clockwise l-r: Antonio Marras RTW F/W26, ArdAzAei ", Anteprima ", Armarium "-

-clockwise l-r: Armani Privé Haute Couture S/S26, Area RTW F/W26, Attersee "-

-clockwise l-r: Ashi Studio Haute Couture S/S26, Avavav RTW F/W26, August Barron ", Baum und Pferdgarten "-

-clockwise l-r: Balmain RTW F/W26, Bibhu Mohapatra ", Bonnetje "-

-clockwise l-r: Blumarine RTW F/W26, Pre-fall 2026, 2B RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Bora Aksu RTW F/W26, Bottega Veneta ", Brandon Maxwell "-

-clockwise l-r: Bronx and Banco RTW F/W26, Brunello Cucinelli ", Burberry ", CO "-

-clockwise l-r: CARO Editions RTW F/W26, Carolina Herrera ", Caroline Hu "-

-clockwise l-r: Celine RTW F/W26, Central Saint Martins ", Burc Akyol ", Carven "-

-clockwise l-r: Celia Kritharioti Haute Couture S/S26, Charles Jeffrey Loverboy Men's RTW F/W26, CFCL RTW F/W26-

-top to bottom: Chet Lo RTW F/W26, Chochengco Haute Couture S/S26-

-l-r: Chloé Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Chopova Lowena RTW F/W26, Christian Siriano ", Pre-fall 2026, Christian Wijnants RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Christopher Esber Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Cinq à Sept Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Coach RTW F/W26, CO Pre-fall 2026, Collina Strada RTW F/W26, Commission ", Cong Tri "-

-clockwise l-r: Courrèges RTW F/W26, Cult Gaia ", Resort 2026, RTW S/S26-

-clockwise l-r: David Koma Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Connor Ives ", Di Petsa "-

-clockwise l-r: Diesel Pre-fall 2026, Dreaming Eli RTW F/W26, Diotima ", Diesel "-

-clockwise l-r: Dior RTW F/W26, Haute Couture S/S26, Pre-fall 2026-

-clockwise l-r: Dries van Noten RTW F/W26, Dsquared² Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Durazzi Milano ", Eckhaus Latta "-

-clockwise l-r: Elena Velez RTW F/W26, Elisabetta Franchi ", Emilia Wickstead Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Elie Saab Haute Couture S/S26, Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26-

-clockwise l-r: Erdem Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26, Ermanno Scervino Pre-fall 2026, RTW F/W26-

March 2021->February 2026: Photo Dump No.26

DATE SAVED, L-R BY ROW:

25th March 2021, 12th June 2023 [Lisbon, Portugal], 31st October 2022 ["Arenophile" dress by Hermione de Paula], 10th January 2022, 15th May 2025, 28th October 2022 [source: instagram @thepulpgirls], 24th April 2022 [Columbia Road Flower Market, Tower Hamlets], 15th May 2025 [Karla Špetić, Australia Resort 2026], 17th November 2022

15th February 2023, 3rd July 2022 [Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, Series 5 Episode 1], 26th October 2022 [source: instagram account: @jzcreativespace.jpg], 16th June 2025, 15th March 2025 [Amanda Seyfried in Chloe, 2009, director. Atom Egoyan], 19th June 2025, 23rd August 2022 [Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View by Cornelia Parker (1991) @ Tate Britain, Millbank], 1st March 2025 [source unknown], 22nd September 2021 [Zuhair Murad Haute Couture S/S21]

3rd June 2024 [source: twitter account @shouldhaveacat], 21st June 2023 [Summer Exhibition @ The Royal Academy of the Arts, Piccadilly], 30th June 2025 [Boscombe Beach, Dorset], 27th June 2025 [Weymouth, Dorset], 1st December 2022 [Southbank Christmas Market, Lambeth], 16th March 2023 [Fair Game, Canary Wharf], 18th March 2024 [Britney Spears photographed out in London, March 2002], 27th June 2025, 19th July 2022 [source: instagram @soleoado]

29th October 2023 [source: instagram @pitkeeper], 9th February 2023, 19th July 2025, 5th September 2021 [John Galliano RTW S/S92], 27th December 2023 [Dioni Tabbers & Hana Jirickova shot by Ellen von Unwerth for Common & Sense #40, RTW S/S11], 24th April 2022 ["Spring Fantasy" by Geri Dicillo @ The Brick Lane Gallery, Tower Hamlets], 21st October 2022 [source: instagram @sassyhypeempire], 3rd July 2025 [outside Lana Del Rey: UK & Ireland tour @ Wembley Stadium], 5th December 2022 [source: background my own, fairies from @{moon_nah} on Pinterest, "One Day at a Time graphic, source: unknown, woman graphic, source: unknown]

29th August 2024 [artist: Humberto Cruz, source: instagram @iscreamcolour], 26th September 2021 [details @ Zuhair Murad Haute Couture S/S13], 29th July 2025 [South Bank, Lambeth], 20th September 2022 [source unknown], 8th July 2025, 17th November 2022 ["The Woman in the Mirror" portrait of Fereshteh Jenabi (2021) by Sohelia Sokhanvari @ Sohelia Sokhanvari: Rebel Rebel @ the Barbican Museum, Barbican Estate], 17th June 2024 [details @ Valentino Resort 2025], 5th November 2024 [Mountsfield Park, Lewisham], 9th August 2025 [Museum of Illusions, Market Street, Manchester]

1st February 2023 [Borough High Street, Southwark], 2nd October 2025, 30th September 2025 [Salou, Costa Daurada, Spain], 23rd August 2025, 24th October 2021 ["Daydream" gown by Teuta Matoshi, S/S21 collection], 3rd November 2021 [details @ Ulyana Sergeenko Haute Couture F/W20], 4th October 2025 [Salou, Costa Daurada, Spain], 10th March 2023 [work by Dzidia Will @ The Other Art Fair, the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane], 29th October 2022 [source: instagram @kosmiklia]

22nd November 2025, 12th May 2022 [details @ Zuhair Murad, Haute Couture F/W21], 29th August 2024 [source unknown], 5th October 2022 [Haggerston, Hackney], 28th December 2023 [Zendaya for Vogue Italia, July 2022 issue], 23rd November 2025, 1st October 2025, 7th December 2022 [Sanrio 2021 Hello Kitty platform trainers, Bershka], 26th December 2024 [source: twitter account @1n3ee]

20th March 2022 ["untitled" by David Shrigley, 2020 @ the Wellcome Collection, Euston], 19th February 2022, 31st December 2025, 28th August 2021 [Lana Del Rey with fans @ Byblos International Festival, Lebanon, July 2013, source: twitter account @marquisandlana], 6th January 2026, 24th April 2022 [Redchurch Street, Shoreditch], 3rd August 2022 [source: instagram @soleoado], 23rd August 2022 ["the distance (a kiss with a string attached)" by Cornelia Parker (2003) @ Tate Britain, Millbank], 30th September 2022 [source: etsy seller /terracottanoon]

24th May 2022 [Lana Del Rey photographed by Chuck Grant, April 2010], 28th January 2026, 9th November 2021 [Balenciaga x Gucci thigh high boots RTW F/W21, worn by Miley Cyrus], 31st December 2025, 26th February 2026 [Walt Disney Studios, Marne-la-Vallée, France], 19th February 2026 [floral embroidered wide leg jeans, sold on shisuicloud.com], 18th August 2022 [source: instagram @thepulpgirls], 9th September 2022 [Esther de Jong in Givenchy Haute Couture S/S97], 14th April 2025

Currently Obsessing Over, Debrief No.6: aniye records rtw f/w23