Marques’Almeida Collection Revives Mid-2010s Aesthetic
What happened
The Marques’Almeida Fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection is reviving stylistic elements from the mid-2010s, including embellished denim, bold colors, and bomber jackets. The collection presents a more refined and wearable take on the era's trends, signaling a move toward "refined nostalgia" in fashion.
Why it matters
- Portuguese founders Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida launched their London-based label in 2011 after meeting at Central Saint Martins and gaining experience at Vivienne Westwood and Preen. The brand is credited with pioneering the revival of distressed and raw-hem denim in the early-to-mid 2010s. - The design duo's signature "raw finish" aesthetic, characterized by frayed edges and deconstruction, is a deliberate technique to question traditional luxury and imbue garments with a sense of character and individuality. - In 2015, Marques'Almeida won the prestigious LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, which included a €300,000 grant and a year of mentorship from the luxury conglomerate's executives. This award provided the capital and guidance to expand into more opulent fabrics like brocades and lace. - The brand beat out a notable group of finalists for the 2015 LVMH Prize, including Virgil Abloh of Off-White and Demna Gvasalia of Vetements, cementing its influential status early on. - A core part of the brand's philosophy is building a community, referred to as "M'A girls," who directly inspire the collections and often feature in shows through open casting calls. - While renowned for denim, the founders' focus has always been on high-end womenswear, treating denim as a luxury fabric and not including a simple pair of jeans in a collection until 2015.
Key numbers
- The Marques’Almeida Fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection is reviving stylistic elements from the mid-2010s, including embellished denim, bold colors, and bomber jackets.
- - Portuguese founders Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida launched their London-based label in 2011 after meeting at Central Saint Martins and gaining experience at Vivienne Westwood and Preen.
- The brand is credited with pioneering the revival of distressed and raw-hem denim in the early-to-mid 2010s.
- In 2015, Marques'Almeida won the prestigious LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, which included a €300,000 grant and a year of mentorship from the luxury conglomerate's executives.
What happens next
- This award provided the capital and guidance to expand into more opulent fabrics like brocades and lace.
Quick answers
What happened in Marques’Almeida Collection Revives Mid-2010s Aesthetic?
The Marques’Almeida Fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection is reviving stylistic elements from the mid-2010s, including embellished denim, bold colors, and bomber jackets. The collection presents a more refined and wearable take on the era's trends, signaling a move toward "refined nostalgia" in fashion.
Why does Marques’Almeida Collection Revives Mid-2010s Aesthetic matter?
Portuguese founders Marta Marques and Paulo Almeida launched their London-based label in 2011 after meeting at Central Saint Martins and gaining experience at Vivienne Westwood and Preen. The brand is credited with pioneering the revival of distressed and raw-hem denim in the early-to-mid 2010s. The design duo's signature "raw finish" aesthetic, characterized by frayed edges and deconstruction, is a deliberate technique to question traditional luxury and imbue garments with a sense of character and individuality. In 2015, Marques'Almeida won the prestigious LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers, which included a €300,000 grant and a year of mentorship from the luxury conglomerate's executives. This award provided the capital and guidance to expand into more opulent fabrics like brocades and lace. The brand beat out a notable group of finalists for the 2015 LVMH Prize, including Virgil Abloh of Off-White and Demna Gvasalia of Vetements, cementing its influential status early on. A core part of the brand's philosophy is building a community, referred to as "M'A girls," who directly inspire the collections and often feature in shows through open casting calls. While renowned for denim, the founders' focus has always been on high-end womenswear, treating denim as a luxury fabric and not including a simple pair of jeans in a collection until 2015.
