Inside's Hector Maclean's AW25 Collection

British designer Hector Maclean showcased his aristocratic-inspired AW25 collection, as part of the London Fashion Week schedule this weekend.

Set within St Paul’s Church in the heart of Covent Garden, a downpour of rain set the tone for what would be a celebration of British heritage. Union Jack umbrellas lined the runway for guests waiting to catch a glimpse of the designer’s latest work. 

A chorus of fanfare opened the show, as the first models trickled onto the courtyard in a palette of subtly embellished cream looks.

The following ensembles embodied the “BAstArd aristocrat” persona, a bolshy female protagonist that channels the idea of the prince and the pauper, with bustled skirts, cascading trains and dresses adorned with the union jack motif. 

 Maclean centred the collection on his own personal story and took inspiration from several strong female figures he looks up to. “I have many muses, one being my grandmother, of course, my sister, my mother and my ancestor Lady Bellasis, as well as the likes of Virginia Woolf and Tilda Swinton who has always been a huge influence”.

Cutting through the traditional silhouettes, a bright highlighter yellow look stormed the runway, which showcased the designer's expert pleating and flair for exaggerated construction. The look was a nod to the season's emerging trend of neons.

A move to opulence has been evident across prior fashion seasons, yet Maclean opted for a balance of tradition and modernity, infused with a punk sensibility, through sheer striped suits, lace dresses and deconstructed finishes throughout the collection.

Voluminous shapes, an abundance of ruffles and over-the-top sleeves playfully demonstrated the designer’s woman, soundtracked by the Spice Girls “Who do you think you are?”.

Despite the very British weather, Hector Maclean captured the essence of the collection's story, presenting a series of romantic yet radical looks, taking notes from his own ‘semi-royal heritage’. “The idea is that we can all come from royalty; that royalty is for everyone; we don't know people's backgrounds and heritage; we all come from ancestors, and history doesn't define the individuals that we are” he said.