LFW SS26 - Arts Hearts Fashion, A Debut

Jessy Sun
16 hours ago
4 min read

Art Hearts Fashion made their London debut at London Fashion Week, showcasing a collective of six designers from around the world. Set in St John’s Church in Hyde Park, the show displayed their upcoming collections that ranged from athleisure to formal gowns. Against the white arches and stained glass windows, each collection was impressive and eye-catching, each designer displaying their unique artistry and taste. It was truly an unforgettable experience, starting off with all attendees crowding outside the church for at least half an hour after the designated start time; when we were let in, it was a battle to get the best vantage point. I managed to snag an unobstructed view at the end of the walkway where I could see the front half of the stage.

The show started off with a bang, with an ethereal collection by Charles & Ron. The husband duo met in Amsterdam before launching their couture brand in Malta, and the Mediterranean flair is evident in their designs. This collection features a dainty and summery colour palette, where models walked out in the order of red, pink, lilac, light blue and white. The red and lilac clothing has floral motifs, where models donned large floral statements on their sleeves, skirts and shoulders. The blue and white clothes were more relaxed and oceanic, reflecting the flattering and elegant nature of the brand, where the fabric flows around the body and warmly embraces the models.

Next up was Styx Athletics, an athleticwear brand from Santa Monica, California. This collection included a wide array of active wear from swimwear to tennis clothing. The shapes and silhouttes were quite simple, with hoodies, tennis hats and bikinis. The colours were any but. Bright pops of red, pink, yellow, cyan and dark blue recalled CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key/Black), the four colours used in colour printing. The opening piece is a red two-piece with a cape and blue accents, reminiscent of the 80s Baywatch style with ‘Babewatch’ written on the chest. Overall, it is a vibrant and summery collection that leans into the classic silhouettes but uses colour in an engaging way.

Carlos Pineda’s’ collection, inspired by his Mexican heritage, was spunky and eclectic, and a complete contrast within itself. Each design featured various patterns, both in black and white and vibrant tropical colours. A recurring element is ruffles, on the sleeves and long skirts, a signature of Pineda’s. Interestingly, there were three specific dresses made of sheer fabric with similar ruffles. The first and last ones, a deep royal blue and classic red, respectively, featured ruffles at the front neckline and down the arms in a vertical line, creating a slick silhouette. The second one, which was black, had a line of ruffles that made a poncho-style outline, and ruffles circling the arm. These garments had the same silhouette as the others but offered elegance and simplicity among the contrasting patterns, and their models walked with the dress held in each hand, as if they were to lift the dresses and dance. The ruffles naturally swish and sway with the model’s walk, bringing movement and celebration to the show.

The show then took a turn with Chavelis Playhouse, a Boston-based custom wear brand which specialises in bold statement pieces. The first model walked out in a colourful checkered two-piece jacket and skirt set, where each individual square was puffed up. I managed to catch up with Michaela Chavelis, the founder and designer, after the show. She described how her childhood is fundamental to the identity of her brand: ‘It’s about reminding people to keep that big kid energy alive. I feel like sometimes people take life too serious … you know, let go of the small things. We live once, we live short.’ This message is reflected in her designs, where each garment is unique and visually striking. She uses a mix of crochet and patchwork, the former which she experimented with in a class at Pratt Institute. Her manipulation of form makes each look interesting to observe; the models are adorned with spikes, puffy textures, tassels, stars, and even balloons, where the final model had pink and white balloons attached to her head. It made the entire collection feel surreal, adding to the nostalgic atmosphere of her brand.

Mister Triple X followed in with attitude defined by patterned jackets and fishnet tops. Erik Rosete, the founder of both ArtHeartsFashion and Mister Triple X, showcased animal print, chrome and foliage patterns in his new collection. Many garments were printed with tigers, birds, skulls, roses and what appears to be Chinese characters. The combination of the silver chrome and the exotic textures created a striking contrast. The silhouettes, revealing yet relaxed, balance bagginess and tightness with ease.

The show closed off with Giannina Azar, a Dominican-Lebanese designer who creates illustrious gowns, and only dialled up the glamour this season. Models wore shiny, studded champagne-coloured dresses featuring accentuating cutouts in the bodice, layers of ruffled fabric and 3D shoulder pieces. This collection played around with transparency. A standout piece was a sheer black dress adorned with diamonds shaped in spiderwebs and a black dress connected by thin pieces of fabric, creating a wavy and dropping effect, all fully embellished and sparkling under the lights. Azar effectively manipulates light as each dress had its own opulence and glow.

Overall, Art Hearts Fashion showcased an exciting debut featuring an inspiring collective of designers who each had their own identity, look and feel. I hope each designer can further their reach and influence in the London and UK fashion scene.

All photos by Mark Gunter, courtesy of Black PR

Written by Jessy Sun

Edited by Arielle Sam-Alao, Co-fashion editor