Harris Reed SS26: A Theatrical Opening to London Fashion Week

Look 1

Ten seasons into his eponymous label, Harris Reed is beginning to reflect on his house codes. Known for making spectacle a signature, Reed’s Spring 2026 collection revealed a surprising sense of intimacy and ease, though still firmly rooted in his maximalist, Met Gala-worthy, theatrical DNA. This season's outing took place in the low-lit, salon-style setting of the Gothic Bar at St. Pancras London. It felt more personal than past collections, but no less impactful.

Reed is no stranger to extravagance - hell, the man had four outrageously cool wedding outfits. A Central Saint Martins graduate (class of 2020), he made the bold move from Los Angeles to London to explore his gender-fluid identity through fashion and unleash the theatrical maximalism he always knew was in him - and now, so does the world. Even before graduating, Reed was thrust into the spotlight when Harry Styles wore one of his custom blouses. From that moment on, everything else seemed to rise up beneath his feet.

His work is deeply inspired by themes of gender identity, glamour, and self-expression, often featuring dramatic silhouettes, historical references, and a strong sense of narrative. However, when it comes to Ready-to-Wear, I imagine it’s not an easy brief for someone like Reed. His designs are inherently intricate and theatrical. The Ready-to-Wear we were served last night, it’s Ready-to-Wear only if you’re heading to a red carpet!

That said, Reed thrives in the realm of couture. In 2021, just one year after graduating! He was appointed Creative Director of Nina Ricci, making him one of the youngest to lead a major fashion house. (Crazy, right?) But his impact doesn’t stop there. He’s dressed Beyoncé, Adele, Florence Welch... the list goes on. Reed has become a trailblazer in creating pieces that challenge traditional fashion binaries, all while championing inclusivity and artistry in the industry.

This SS26 collection stood apart from anything we’ve seen so far this season at NYFW. It was the perfect start to London Fashion Week. Leading with such a theatrical, gender-fluid, and unapologetically glamorous show set the tone beautifully, especially in a city known more for emerging designers than big fashion houses.

Because Reed’s shows aren’t just fashion, they’re stories. And SS26 was no different. One of the most breathtaking moments came with the opening look - shown above: a cascading silk blue maxi skirt flowed effortlessly down the model’s legs, paired with a gold corset embroidered with florals. But the real showstopper? A velvet and gold appliqué sculptural sleeve (if you could even call it that!) - an architectural feat. Starting at the model’s knees, it looped through her left arm, hugged the waist to accentuate the silhouette, looped through her right arm and rose dramatically above her head. It was magnificent.

ABOVE - LOOKS (in order) 5, 12, 14

The collection also featured fishtail dresses, bold corsetry, an expertly tailored two-piece suit, and of course plenty of feathers. One standout, Look 12 - shown above, was among the most dramatically shaped pieces on display (and one of my personal favourites). It featured a hand-painted and embroidered wallpaper pattern, created in collaboration with Fromental, applied to a voluminous silhouette that merged structured corsetry with flowing skirts.

The colour palette - acrid yellow spines against gilded florals, wasn’t an obvious pairing, but it worked. With velvet detailing and baroque ornamentation, it was regal yet subversive. Definitely not your everyday outfit... unless your everyday includes red carpets.

To close the show, Look 14 - shown above brought the drama full circle. A fishtail-inspired silhouette featured exposed boning that gave the hoop skirt a sculptural edge. The skirt bubbled and flared at the thigh, blending into a lilac floral motif that swept over one side, adding softness and colour to the otherwise bare look. The top half—a structured corset—played against the flowing bottom half, creating a beautiful tension between structure and fluidity. It wasn’t an everyday look by any means, but it was unmistakably Reed: bold, artistic, and the perfect closing note to a striking collection.

See the full collection here - https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2026-ready-to-wear/harris-reed/slideshow/collection

Another beautifully crafted and imaginative collection from Reed, one that proves, yet again, his ability to blur the lines between fashion, fantasy, and identity. While the label may sit under the Ready-to-Wear umbrella, Harris Reed continues to deliver pieces that belong on grand stages, and red carpets - that’s exactly why I love him. He isn’t trying to fit into fashion’s mould; he’s reshaping it entirely. 

This collection set the tone for a London Fashion Week that promises to be just as theatrical, expressive, and boundary-pushing - hopefully! If this is how LFW begins, we’re in for a wild, fabulous ride.

With love, 

Mimi x