London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 is already proving to be a pivotal season for British fashion. Under the new leadership of Chief Executive Laura Weir, the British Fashion Council (BFC) has promised a “bold new era” – and that vision is already taking shape. One key move? A renewed focus on emerging talent through the 2025/26 BFC NEWGEN initiative.
Among this year’s most exciting NEWGEN recipients is Oscar Ouyang, the Beijing-born, London-based designer who just made his official LFW runway debut.
Ouyang’s SS26 collection builds on the narrative he developed during his seven years at Central Saint Martins – fusing folklore, streetwear, and intricate technical craftsmanship into a collection that’s as wearable as it is imaginative.
The show opened with a military-inspired jacket, styled with shimmering shorts and a matching tasseled scarf. What followed was a series of tactile, layered looks – like three-quarter-length knitted leggings worn under fuzzy feathered shorts with a soft grey tee and beanie, or a short-sleeved knit shirt adorned with scattered tassels, paired with functional trousers and sneakers.
Additionally, throughout the lineup, a diverse range of knitwear techniques came into play – from classic sleeveless vests and ponchos to more avant-garde pieces like boxy, oversized knit tees and sculptural hand-crocheted tunics.
The signature standout of the collection, however, was feathers. They appeared woven through models’ hair, laced into sneakers, and stitched onto headpieces – an ethereal motif meant to evoke “the king of the forest,” according to the designer’s show notes.
Despite the collection’s fantastical elements, it remained grounded by earthy tones and street-inspired silhouettes, as well as a sprinkling of technical fabrics that appeared throughout – most notably in khaki outerwear and utilitarian green and navy trousers. Finished with Converse-style sneakers, each look struck a careful balance between narrative and utility, underscoring Ouyang’s ability to merge storytelling with craftsmanship while still creating wearable street pieces.
Scroll up to explore the full SS26 collection.
