Brigade's SS26 Collection Debuts
Brigade has just launched the debut delivery of its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, setting a new standard for design in the emerging streetwear landscape. The collection is drawing praise for its quality and creative direction, signaling Brigade's intent to be a serious player in the market.
The New York-based label is the brainchild of Aaron Maldonado, who founded the brand in 2014 at just 19 years old. A near-fatal car accident served as the catalyst for him to pursue his dream of starting a brand, which he launched with just $500 earned from delivering pizzas. Brigade, a name chosen to signify a unit or a group of people, was created for those who felt like outsiders. Maldonado, the son of Puerto Rican and Dominican New Yorkers, taught himself graphic design and aimed to build a community, a principle the brand still champions. His wife, Sarah Maldonado, serves as the brand's CMO. While it started with T-shirts, the brand has since evolved into a primarily cut-and-sew operation known for a refined edge that blends influences from French menswear and Lower East Side skate culture. Past collections have featured items ranging from waterproof utility cargo jackets to chore coats and knitwear. The SS26 season includes a significant collaboration with luxury fashion house Off-White. For Off-White's SS26 runway show at New York Fashion Week, Brigade co-designed a special edition "STAFF" tee, marking the first time the public could purchase the show's staff shirt. The design incorporates eagle graphics and over a dozen national flags, nodding to the heritage of both Off-White's director Ib Kamara and Brigade's Maldonado.
