LFW AW26: Escape by Hector Maclean
The Autumn/Winter 2026 collection from Hector Maclean, titled Escape, feels less like a seasonal offering and more like a story told through cloth. It’s one of those collections that truly stays with you intimate, thoughtful, and quietly powerful. I absolutely loved it. Season after season, Maclean’s shows are always among my favourites on the schedule, and this one felt especially moving.
At the heart of Escape is the story of his grandmother, Leokadia Osko. Displaced during the World War II, she lost everything before rebuilding her life from nothing. In a refugee camp, selling fruit to survive, she met Donald, a Scottish soldier who visited her stall each day. What began as a simple exchange slowly became a love story forged in extraordinary circumstances. That legacy of resilience and inherited memory forms the emotional core of the collection, and you can feel its sincerity in every look.
There’s a darker, romantic sensibility running throughout. Military-inspired tailoring and strong, structured silhouettes nod to his grandfather’s service, while Scottish lace and delicate Polish details soften the mood. The balance between strength and tenderness is handled so beautifully: it never feels forced, only deeply considered.
Maclean’s time working with Vivienne Westwood continues to shape his philosophy. Like Westwood, he sees fashion as a platform for conviction. In a world once again marked by uncertainty, Escape quietly reasserts a belief in resilience and a clear opposition to war; a message that feels both personal and urgent.
As always, women remain at the centre of his work. The prevailing mood is one of sombre strength a tribute to those who endured, adapted, and survived. Though rooted in his own family history, the collection resonates universally. We all inherit battles we did not choose, whether shaped by history, systems, or generational trauma.
Sustainability remains integral to his practice. Maclean continues to work with deadstock fabrics, reworking materials wherever possible to minimise waste. His signature pleating and sculptural draping give the collection movement and soul. The garments feel alive, structured yet fluid, strong yet feminine.
Escape is a reminder of why Hector Maclean’s shows consistently stand out. He doesn’t just present clothes; he tells stories. And this season’s story; one of love, survival, and inherited strength; was not only beautifully executed, but genuinely affecting. I loved every moment of it.
Photos: Daniela Luquini
