The fashion world is abuzz with the announcement that McQueen has enlisted five prominent women – Caroline Polachek, Celeste, Amy Taylor, Alex Consani and Sora Choi – for its Spring 2026 campaign. The move, spearheaded by creative director Seán McGirr, signals a bold new direction for the iconic brand, emphasizing female empowerment and artistic expression. The campaign, shot by Harley Weir, aims to capture the “propulsive spirit” of McQueen, according to a statement released by the house.
This isn’t simply a collection of faces; McQueen describes the five women as an “incendiary, uncontainable forces” and a community that “drives progressivism in culture.” Each, the brand asserts, possesses a unique power that resonates with the McQueen aesthetic. McGirr elaborated, stating that each woman “has a power that feels inherently McQueen, behind, and in front of the camera. They bring the house’s propulsive spirit to life — uninhibited, but incisive and in control.”
A Diverse Collective of Artists and Icons
The selection of these five women highlights a deliberate effort to move beyond traditional fashion campaign casting. The group represents a diverse range of talents and backgrounds. Caroline Polachek, a Grammy-nominated musician, has collaborated with artists like A.G. Cook, Blood Orange, and Charli XCX. Celeste, a Mercury Prize-nominated artist, blends soul, jazz, and R&B in her music, most recently showcased in her album “Woman of Faces,” released in November. Amy Taylor fronts the punk band Amyl and the Sniffers, bringing a raw energy to the campaign. Rounding out the group are models Alex Consani and Sora Choi.
The campaign imagery itself, conceived by set designer Shona Heath, presents a striking visual contrast. The women are posed against a backdrop of “naked branches in a post-apocalyptic, scorched-earth setting,” creating a sense of both fragility and resilience. This setting serves as a dramatic foil for the ultra-low-rise fashion creations from the Spring 2026 collection, as well as new iterations of the Manta bag, originally introduced in the Spring 2010 Plato’s Atlantis collection.
The Manta Bag Reimagined
The reintroduction of the Manta bag is a notable element of the Spring 2026 collection. First seen in the Spring 2010 Plato’s Atlantis collection, the bag represents a key piece of McQueen’s design history. Its reappearance suggests a renewed focus on the brand’s archival designs, reinterpreted for a contemporary audience. The campaign imagery showcases how the bag complements the collection’s overall aesthetic, adding a touch of sophistication to the edgy, low-rise silhouettes.
The choice to feature these five women is a clear statement about the direction Seán McGirr intends to take McQueen. It’s a move that prioritizes authenticity, artistic integrity, and a celebration of female strength. The campaign isn’t just about selling clothes; it’s about embodying a spirit – a spirit that is, according to McQueen, “uncontainable.”
The Spring 2026 collection, as previewed in the campaign, appears to lean into a bolder, more provocative aesthetic. The ultra-low-rise designs signal a departure from more conservative trends, embracing a sense of freedom and self-expression. The juxtaposition of these designs with the stark, post-apocalyptic setting creates a powerful visual narrative, suggesting a world where individuality and resilience are paramount.
As McQueen continues to evolve under McGirr’s leadership, this campaign marks a significant moment. It’s a declaration of intent, signaling a commitment to celebrating women who are not only stylish but too influential and unapologetically themselves. The full Spring 2026 collection will be available for viewing and purchase at a date yet to be announced, and further details regarding the campaign rollout are expected in the coming weeks.
Readers interested in learning more about the McQueen Spring 2026 collection and campaign can follow the brand’s official website and social media channels for updates. The brand’s commitment to showcasing powerful female figures promises to continue shaping its future direction.
