Natasha Zinko's latest fashion endeavor for Fall 2026 showcases a deep personal connection, integrating her parents, Oleg and Margharita, both in their seventies, and her son, Ivan, into the creative process. This season's collection is a testament to resourcefulness and familial collaboration, drawing inspiration from Zinko's Ukrainian roots and her early experiences crafting garments in post-Soviet Odessa. The designs reflect a 'make-do-and-mend' ethos, transforming everyday items and vintage pieces into contemporary fashion statements, resulting in a collection that is both nostalgic and innovative.
The current collection by Natasha Zinko resonates with a strong sense of personal history and inventive craftsmanship. The designer's parents actively participated, with Oleg and Margharita meticulously adding hardware to platform boots and crocheting sock-boots in the bustling West London studio, mere hours before the presentation. Meanwhile, Zinko's son, Ivan, meticulously finalized the show notes. This familial involvement harks back to Zinko's teenage years in 1990s Odessa, where, amidst challenging times and scarcity of factories, she crafted jeans for her family to sell at street markets. These formative experiences instilled in her a profound belief in the boundless potential of manual creation, a philosophy that continues to shape her designs.
While this season didn't heavily feature denim, the family's influence was evident in the collection's 'make-do-and-mend' approach. Grandfather's plaid shirts were ingeniously reinterpreted, transformed into tutu-skirted dresses and cargo shorts through the addition of crinoline. His leather jackets found new life as bodycon dresses, boldly paired with neon-pink push-up bralettes, a nod to the iconic Wonderbra of Zinko's youth. Even his tailored garments were deconstructed and reformed into elegant column dresses, featuring playfully draped waistbands that doubled as necklines. However, the most profound transformations were seen in grandmother's vintage mink coats. These luxurious items were ingeniously reimagined as versatile two-in-one ensembles, sculpted into corsets, or used as exquisite trimmings on a brocade opera coat and a delicate spaghetti-strap chiffon slip. Zinko highlighted her mother's decade-long practice of wearing and altering her own mother's coat, noting that her family was engaged in 'upcycling before it became a trend.'
The presentation also featured a notable appearance by former Spice Girl Mel B and her daughter, Phoenix Brown, whose presence in the Victorian tunnels serving as the catwalk generated considerable excitement. Zinko, however, was particularly keen to discuss her ongoing collaboration with Havaianas. This partnership yielded unconventional designs, including a sophisticated court shoe made comically impractical by a flip-flop thong extending across its toe, and stacked sandals meticulously wrapped in trompe-l'œil leather parcel tape. The collection's playful and irreverent spirit continued with vinyl skirts designed to resemble inverted reusable shopping bags and sleeveless skirt sets fashioned from tea towels, reflecting the designer's humorous insight that 'family business always happens in the kitchen.' Even the belt buckles were a whimsical touch, cast from resin-covered bubble gum that Zinko herself had chewed in the days leading up to the show, blurring the lines between what is considered 'trashy' and 'trendy' in a provocative and engaging manner.
Ultimately, Natasha Zinko's latest offering is a deeply personal and creatively daring collection that champions family bonds, sustainable practices, and a distinctive, playful aesthetic. By integrating her family's heritage and talents, Zinko not only crafted innovative garments but also shared a narrative of resilience and creative adaptation. The collection stands as a vibrant mosaic of past and present, challenging conventional fashion norms with its imaginative repurposing and spirited designs.
