Marco Capaldo’s 16Arlington stunned on the third day of London Fashion Week, unveiling a collection that signaled a significant shift in tone. The brand, which had explored darker, more melancholic aesthetics in recent seasons, stepped into a new dawn for Spring/Summer 2025. Set inside the ethereal halls of the Royal Academy of Arts, Capaldo presented a collection inspired by a renewed sense of lightness, fittingly titled “The Heat.” Accompanied by the scent of blooming mimosa from Diptyque and biodegradable confetti underfoot, the mood was young, wild, and undeniably free.
The collection opened with radiant shades of yellow drenching tailored trench coats, pencil skirts, and dresses with contrasting collars. There was an effortless edge to the leather moto uniforms, revealing metallic bras, while snakeskin handbags added an animalistic energy. But 16Arlington didn’t stop there—sumptuous fur coats paired with hot pants, and fringe frocks swung with bold sensuality. Feathers, a brand signature, were reimagined in gradient hues, bursting from beaded and sequined eveningwear.
The collection, though vibrant and playful, carried an undercurrent of complexity. Drawing inspiration from Pedro Almodóvar’s The Skin I Live In, Capaldo’s use of colour and mood channelled the film’s haunting beauty, melding darkness and sensuality. From the waxed raffia techniques to the exquisite craftsmanship of hand-crocheted beads, 16Arlington’s SS25 line-up reflected Capaldo’s vision of a woman illuminated by the most magical light—at dusk, at dawn, always confident in her skin.
