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The London-based brand sheds its grunge roots to embrace a lively, romantic style inspired by Portuguese heritage, signalling a bold creative evolution for spring\/summer 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re bringing colour back in a big way \u2013 it\u2019s always been part of our DNA,\u201d Marta Marques, co-founder of Marques\u2019Almeida, told PA Media ahead of their spring\/summer 2026 collection show. The London-based brand, originally known for its grunge-inspired shredded denim and oversized shirts, has shifted its aesthetic to embrace a more vibrant, fluid, and romantic style influenced by Portuguese culture and a distinctive \u2018Latin\u2019 approach to colour and frills.<\/p>\n
Backstage at the Marques\u2019Almeida show, the racks featured bold butter-yellow denim, delicate blush ruffles, and striking indigo bustiers \u2013 a palette that many have likened to the trending TikTok style dubbed \u201cHow to dress like a Portuguese girlie.\u201d This trend celebrates clashing patterns, bold prints, and vivid colour combinations, reflecting an instinctive romance that Marques acknowledges: \u201cSomeone once told us, \u2018you\u2019ve got something very Latin about how you do colour and frills\u2019. We\u2019d been in London for years thinking we were grunge kids, but it stuck with us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The brand\u2019s evolution has been marked by a significant creative shift, sparked during the pandemic when Marques and her husband Paulo Almeida returned to their hometown of Porto, Portugal. Trading the urban surroundings of Dalston for the softer, Atlantic light, the couple found their creative process becoming more intuitive and hands-on. \u201cThis season felt like we had to go through the discomfort of growing pains to come out on the other side with something fresher,\u201d Marques said. \u201cWe\u2019ve been playing around with lots more eveningwear, it felt very serious the last few seasons. This time we wanted something lighter, fresher and more instinctive.\u201d<\/p>\n
This new approach to design has manifested in soft, fluid silhouettes, such as frothy pink organza that pools gracefully on the floor and crisp blue shirts printed with delicate botanical sketches. The brand\u2019s signature boyfriend jeans have been reimagined in pastel shades describing the new hue as \u201can elevated energy of denim.\u201d Collaborating with Dylon Detergent, Marques\u2019Almeida also focused on sustainability, aiming to extend the lifespan and brightness of their garments, embodying their belief in clothes that \u201clive and grow with you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The show itself was crafted to be a journey, opening with heavier, darker pieces with lengths dragging and pooling, evoking a sense of tension and gravity. This transitioned to lighter, floral prints before culminating in exuberant, celebratory looks \u2013 an arc that evokes the past few years’ transition from pandemic heaviness to renewed joy and lightness. Marques framed this movement as a metaphor for their brand and perhaps the industry at large.<\/p>\n
In a vivid sign of Marques\u2019Almeida\u2019s dedication to community and inclusivity, singer and presenter Rochelle Humes attended the show embodying the multi-generational spirit promoted by the brand. Humes revealed she planned to pass her outfit down to her daughter Alaia, who is already keen on raiding her wardrobe, echoing the brand\u2019s well-known \u201cfamily casting\u201d ethos. This concept, initiated in 2015, rejects the traditional rigid modeling world, instead featuring sisters, mothers, daughters, and longtime collaborators walking the runway together. \u201cBritish fashion has always been about community,\u201d Marques said, crediting shared creative support from fellow designers like Simone Rocha in their early days in London.<\/p>\n
Now with more teaching and mentorship roles in Portugal, Marques is working to bring this same spirit of community back home, particularly important in what she describes as a \u201cvolatile\u201d world. \u201cIf you break through that there\u2019s lightness in community \u2013 even in small units where people speak the same language and share resources,\u201d she said. This sense of community and sustainability informs the collection\u2019s emphasis on durability and timelessness: garments designed to outlast fleeting trends and algorithms, such as their signature butter-washed denim and airy dresses.<\/p>\n
Far from simply following the ephemeral rhythm of internet trends, Marques\u2019Almeida\u2019s approach with their spring\/summer 2026 collection is a declaration that fashion can be both timely and timeless, vibrant and enduring. Their joyful colours and free silhouettes capture the spirit of current cultural shifts while paying homage to a deeply personal and cultural heritage, making this collection a celebration of both Portuguese DNA and global style.<\/p>\n