February 21, 2026 |
Spring arrived early this year, blooming in full force at Mithridate’s AW26 show. As guests walked into the centuries-old halls of the Tate Britain, they were welcomed by the majestic replica of a blossoming Chinese wisteria. Journeys were at the very core of Daniel Fletcher’s vision for his third runway collection at the Guangzhou-based house founded by Tina Jiang. The brand itself has been on the move, starting from its East-Asian birthplace and finding its new home on the banks of the River Thames in the London Borough district.
It’s freshly grown Brit roots branched out, comprehensively embracing all of the AW26 collection, from fabric choices to design. From quintessentially countryside tweed broad-shouldered coats to Fair Isle jumpers and Aran knit sweaters echoing Scottish and Irish traditions, Fletcher took the house on a textile-centred voyage through the British Isles.
Another nod to maritime pursuits is an original take on the naval-inspired pea coat, as well as white labels seen throughout the collection echoing merchant trades – the same trades that would take place at famed Borough Market, only a stone’s throw away from Mithridate’s new London studio. It is no wonder, then, that green glass bottle prints and market-inspired florals found their way into the collection.
Black tie pieces had their moment too, with hand-beaded dresses and overcoats finished with the refined metal details of necklaces and bracelets. Numbers, now officially a Mithridate symbol, were rendered here as diamante brooches embellishing the collection’s coats with a sparkling touch.
Caught at the crossroads of British sartorial tradition and far-reaching influences, Mithridate delivered a collection that felt like an exciting, flowering homecoming.
Photography courtesy of Mithridate.
