Codes Of Elegance. Magda Butrym Resort 2026

June 29, 2025June 29, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

Introducing the Magda Butrym pre-spring 2026 look-book: an ode to revived, lady-like femininity documented in the romantic courtyards and gritty streets of Warsaw’s most elusive quarter.

The look-book is an emotionally charged exploration of Warsaw’s lesser known, yet enigmatically alluring neighborhood: the Praga-North quarter. Defined and characterized by historic pre-war townhouses, secret courtyards adorned with sacred shrines and untamed blooms, and offbeat bazaars favored by locals, the district exudes a mysterious atmosphere that resonates with the sentimental and romantic notions of Slavic Heritage – one of the brand’s most distinctive signatures.

Photographed by Robin Galiegue and styled by Jacob K, the new season look-book expresses Magda Butrym’s deep affection for the ritual of dressing up and the innate, instinctual chic possessed by women of a bygone era. The nonchalance – and undeniable authenticity – of bouffant-haired ladies and sensational dames comes to life in ultra-feminine slip layered beneath robust fur coats; delicate, draped tops paired with lace-trimmed skirts; and bold floral prints clashed against unexpected hues. These codes of elegance draw from Butrym’s vivid childhood memories of the impeccably dressed women she loved observing—and felt inspired by. As she recalls, they didn’t dress up only for special occasions but made an effort with their style on daily basis – and that’s exactly what made such a long-lasting impression on her.

The pre-spring 2026 collection channels the spirit from real glamour, reimagined for the modern age – no longer just an ornament, but a powerful, confidence-boosting armor.

All dressed up and brimming with attitude, the look-book’s nearly cinematic heroines lounge on upholstered deck chairs, stride through the lively streets of Praga-North, and revel in the hidden, picturesque corners of the rough-around-the-edges quarter. The narrow silhouettes – accentuated by shoulder-padded, hourglass-shaped pony-hair jackets and knee-length skirts – are offset by the utilitarian energy of heavy-duty leather bombers and a slouchy rose-red tracksuit. Hip-padded mini dresses boldly reveal flesh, while shaggy boleros and voluminous masculine coats offer a sense of protection. A floor-sweeping crimson dress with a dramatic back slit is finished with a vintage-inspired flower necktie, its petals subtly shredded. Beneath the collection’s rich textures, artisanal details, and lady-like decorum lies a raw, risqué energy- sexual, liberated, and unapologetically bold.

The look-book thrives on an unexpected, magnetic tension: rose gardens blooming amid brutalist surroundings, sacred icons of Saint Mary tucked away in shadowy alleys. It reflects the designer’s vision of ambiguous femininity – glamorous and “perfected” at times, yet coarse and grunge-tinged at others. That sensual duality is especially vivid in this season’s leg-centric silhouettes: curved wedges and semi-sheer, tights-like trousers evoke a strong, sculptural attitude, inspired by one of Sarah Lucas’ tapering artworks made from stockings stretched over wire and anchored by concrete high heels. The season’s eveningwear – structured in body-morphing forms and elevated through exaggerated silhouettes- also nods to the British artist’s crude, unfiltered approach to the female body. Lucas’ provocative vision of womanhood fascinates Butrym – and inspires in rethinking contemporary femininity.

Look-book credits:

Creative Director @magdabutrym
Photographer @robingaliegue
Video @tatianaandkarol
Stylist @kjeldgaard1
Talents @sandramurray @miaarmstrong2
Make-Up @lucyjbridge
Hair @damienboissinothair
Styling Assistant @ioana.ivan
Nails @marzena_kanclerska
Set Design @anna_szczesny
Art Coordinator @designandculturebyed
Casting @piergiorgio @dmcasting
Production @warsawcreatives

ED’s SELECTION:

Magda Butrym Brigitte Trapeze Appliquéd Leather Tote

Magda Butrym Open-back Paneled Stretch-jersey Maxi Dress

Magda Butrym Cashmere Head Scarf

Magda Butrym Printed Cotton-blend Jersey Sweatshirt

Magda Butrym Oversized Glossed-leather Bomber Jacket

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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The Debut. Dior Men SS26

June 28, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

For some reason, you always expect a seismic shift from a debut as big as Jonathan Anderson’s first collection for Dior. Interestingly, his first line-up for Loewe – over a decade ago – was menswear too, and many people were puzzled, just like now with his take on Dior. And that’s ok.

Rewriting Dior isn’t something you can pack effortlessly into one collection. Anderson has a vision for the brand for the upcoming few seasons, and probably only when we see more of it, his debut will make more sense – when a bigger picture will take shape.

At the moment, all I see is a continuation of a Dior Men narrative that was planted by Kim Jones: British flamboyance, twisted with codes coming from Jonathan’s namesake label, JW Anderson (like those oversized, millefeuille chino shorts). There were witty references to the maison’s heritage, revived through a new lens: the “Bar” jacket was made from an Irish Donegal tweed – a matter of national pride for Anderson – which featured here and there throughout the collection. There was also an intriguing play with fashion historicism, like Louis 16th frock coat worn with ordinary cotton trousers. I will note that such brands as Marcus Allen’s The Society Archive or ERL experiment with similar vintage-vintage notions for a while now. Interestingly, the collection’s affection for flaneurism had echoes of Rei Kawakubo’s Comme Des Garçons.

I might still not understand the show’s connection with Andy Warhol (the brand released polaroids depicting his famous friends as the collection’s teaser), but I see a dialogue between two fictional man: Louis de Pointe du Lac, played by Brad Pitt in “Interview With The Vampire”, and Ennis, embodied by Heath Ledger in “Brokeback Mountain”. Dramatic, knitted capes (and of course the “Dracula” tote) and slim, brocade waistcoats created an intriguing friction with raw flannel shirts and faded denim.

Designers entering a new brand have more questions than answers – just like the spectators of their debuts. I’m not fully buying new Dior yet, but I look forward to the next pieces of the Anderson puzzle.

ED’s SELECTION:

JW Anderson Oversized Shell Bomber Jacket

JW Anderson Men’s Straight-Leg Jeans

Christian Dior Vintage Gold-plated Bracelet

Loewe Cotton Corduroy-trimmed Checked Wool-blend Padded Jacket

Loewe Men’s High-Rise Cargo Shorts

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Taking Notes. Dries Van Noten SS26

June 28, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

At Dries Van Noten, Julian Klausner delivered a triumphant menswear debut – one so true to the brand that you can barely notice Papa Dries’ absence (he’s quietly consulting the new creative director in-between other personal projects – like renovating a palazzo in Venice).

What resonated most in Klausner’s spring-summer 2026 attempt is the actual joy of dressing up – or rather, not fearing to experiment with clothes. At first nothing seems to match in this collection, but then you see the beautiful method behind all that madness. A gorgeously tailored jacket worn with a floral sarong? Yes. Oversized grey sweatshirt topped with a handsome, embellished cummerbund? Yes. A cropped jacket in red roses styled with electric-blue biker shorts? Hell yes!

This outing offers not just great clothes, but absolutely inspiring solutions that will pimp up your summer wardrobe. I’m taking notes.

ED’s SELECTION:

Dries Van Noten Floral-print Silk-voile Shirt

Dries Van Noten Grosgrain-trimmed Floral-print Silk-voile Wide-leg Pants

Dries Van Noten Oversized Double-breasted Linen, Wool, Silk And Cashmere-blend Blazer

Dries Van Noten Belted Double-breasted Crinkled-organza Trench Coat

Dries Van Noten Suede and Leather Trainer Sneakers

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Fire Island. Saint Laurent SS26

June 28, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

At Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello envisioned a Yves-kind-of man, but swiftly transferred to 1970s Fire Island. Although YSL never arrived to the homoerotic utopia, the contemporary designer certainly thinks he would love it.

You can easily imagine the slinky Saint Laurent boys in short-shorts, shoulder-padded shirts and cool, cotton-canvas blousons live through a hedonist summer in one of the Island’s wooden cabins. The sun-burnt, sea-washed color palette of canary-yellow, faded-burgundy and sumptuous ochre comes straight from Larry Stanton’s drawings and candid video footage of the queer community enjoying idyllic, hot days in the pre-AIDS days. The Parisian sensitivity of trench coats (this season much softer in cut) and just-the-right-kind-of laid-back tailoring made the collection look refined, without being overly “American”.

Anthony Vaccarello is definitely in his peak creative era at Saint Laurent. While his womenswear sometimes falls flat due to his one-theme fixations, his menswear develops an intriguing iconography of a contemporary homme who’s both chic and flamboyant. And what’s most exciting is the designer’s instinct for re-contextualisation of the YSL man, who’s one foot in Yves’ world, another – in Vaccarello’s.

ED’s SELECTION:

Saint Laurent Men’s Dotted Crepe de Chine Dress Shirt

Saint Laurent Men’s Augustin Leather Ankle Boots

Saint Laurent Men’s Double-Pleated Baggy Pants

Saint Laurent Men’s Satin Teddy Jacket

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Industry Veterans. The Row SS26

June 27, 2025 | Design & Culture by Ed

The Row is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year – meaning that Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen are true industry veterans. And their brand is like wine – it does get better with age.

Spring-summer 2026 collection, photographed by Mark Kean (have you noticed the sudden Kean-ification of ad campaigns and editorials? He’s certainly got something of early Steven Meisel), is a fine study of what the Olsens were always interested in the first place: the basics. Don’t forget that The Row’s primary idea – and promise – was to create the most perfect t-shirt. There were a couple this season, as perfect as the ikebanas documented in the lookbook.

Other than crisp cotton shirting, lived-in tailoring, and startlingly monastic black evening dresses that could play a role in an Ingmar Bergman film, there was that one, chic accessory that was responsible for all the inventive styling: a bejeweled, rectangular brooch. Of course, it’s straight out of Miuccia Prada’s sciura playbook (the Olsens are known for referring – sometimes borderline imitating – designers like Martin Margiela or Yohji Yamamoto). A brooch can elevate any dress, fasten a cardigan like a scarf around your neck, or just be, on a jacket’s lapel. Now, since the Olsens have made their stance on this little tiny accessory, expect a lot of mini-essays about the art of wearing a brooch from Substack girls.

The designers, fully based in Paris for a couple of seasons now, know how to keep their loyal clients – and online admirers – in chokehold, in the most noiseless, elegant and sensual of ways.