Huishan Zhang Pre-Fall 2026: Voyage to Another Place

For designer Huishan Zhang, whose creative life oscillates between London and China, the Pre-Fall 2026 collection embodies a bridge between serene imagination and the allure of distant lands, capturing the excitement of exploration and the discovery of new horizons.

The vibrant city of Marrakech, a place Zhang cherished before the pandemic, strongly influenced the pre-collections palette, textures, and retro-inspired silhouettes. Elements were drawn from the colorful lifestyles of Talitha Getty and Yves Saint Laurent, both icons intimately linked with the Moroccan city.

The turban appeared as a key styling element, paying tribute to Moroccan traditions. Italian-made bespoke brown jacquard pieces, adorned with kaleidoscopic patterns, evoked Marrakechs intricate mosaics. Embroidery, especially botanical motifs around the waist and neckline, referenced the vivid artworks displayed at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Marrakech.

Standout pieces in the collection included fitted trench coats featuring travel-friendly floral embroidery, reflecting Zhangs connection to British style. Eveningwear incorporated crinkled fabrics with metallic membranes, while silk chambray designs, inspired by safari jackets, offered the illusion of denim while feeling luxuriously soft.

Zhang takes pride in his East-meets-West tailoring, refined over six years. For Pre-Fall 2026, this manifests as adaptable fitted jackets with qipao-inspired stand-up collars and pockets reminiscent of Mao suits, merging cultural influences into versatile modern pieces.

Author: Lucas Grant