Conner Ives Fall 2026
Conner Ives’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection, Eldorado, is a cinematic exploration of hedonism, freedom, and the fleeting nature of joy. Staged in the Claridge’s Ballroom, the show channels the spirit of 1930s Berlin, a time of nightlife and liberation before the encroachment of danger, translating that tension into modern, genderfluid dressing. Oversized jackets, embellished jeans, silk scarves, and embroidered demi-couture gowns moved alongside playful yet pointed commentary, from slogan T-shirts to repurposed vintage furs. Ives’s attention to detail was meticulous, with spiral-cut dresses adorned with hand-painted leaves, feathered halters, and deadstock silk organza bridal gowns, marrying historical reference with contemporary subversiveness.
The runway was both personal and political. Ives’s partner Max and their seven-month-old dog Rex walked alongside friends and models, reinforcing a sense of chosen family and community. Men’s looks rooted in personal style echoed the playful mix of chinoiserie, preppiness, and flamboyant embellishment that defines the brand, while the trans-majority casting underscored a continued commitment to gender freedom and representation. The collection balances accessibility and demi-couture, offering both ready-to-wear items and bespoke gowns, and reflects a designer now able to focus fully on creation following support from the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund. Eldorado is a party before the peril, a celebration of presence, courage, and the joy of being alive in a world that demands both awareness and exuberance.
