AKKI FALL/WINTER 2026. THE BLUE IRIS. CFDA DEBUT COLLECTION

Inspired by Iris Garden at Horikiri by Japanese woodblock print artist Utagawa Hiroshige, the AKKI Fall/Winter 2026 collection reflects designer Akki and partner Justin's return to Japan and the quiet nostalgia of carrying heritage into a third home in New York. Throughout the collection, the blue iris serves as both motif and metaphor, symbolizing renewal, memory, and fleeting beauty.

Conceived as a narrative arc, the collection traces a journey from seed to bloom, culminating in a “Human Vase” silhouette embodying full transformation. This progression mirrors Zhao’s own development across Osaka, Chongqing, and New York, each place shaping the designer’s identity and creative language.

At the heart of FW26 is AKKI’s commitment to craft. The collection blends couture-level detailing with unexpected modern structure.
Key design elements include Chinese brocade paired with open seam construction, Japanese hand-pleating techniques, frayed edges that shift organically as the garments are worn, adding modernity to traditional textiles and giving the feeling that each piece is alive.

A recurring sculptural motif is the brand’s signature “S” shape, expressed through contour pleating and functions as a subtle symbol of yin and yang, referencing duality and balance: East and West, past and present, softness and structure. Coats and blazers incorporate oversized belts, ties, and dramatic dropped back collars inspired by Japanese kimonos and obi construction.

Women's footwear are made in collaboration with Helena Mar a family-owned Portuguese brand with AKKI’s signature brocade.
The collection is finished with intricate heritage details: real jade stones, freshwater pearls, porcelain buttons repurposed from antique Chinese vases, silk-tied bows, and brocade binding and finishes. Knitwear is crafted from Japanese washi paper yarn, while leather goods include a folded, origami-inspired crane handbag.

The AKKI Fall/Winter 26 collection extends its celebration of craftsmanship through a range of cross-industry partnerships, each reflecting AKKI’s commitment to heritage and innovation:

- AKIO MORI Jewelry sponsorship from the Japanese haute joaillerie house based in Ginza, founded in 1968
- Puma Customized sneakers incorporating AKKI’s signature materials including Japanese tensha beads, Chinese jade, freshwater pearls, and Chinese brocade AKKI patches
- Bang & Olufsen three customized H100 headphones, reworked with Japanese pleated fabric and heritage embellishments
- Yamaichi Rokuro Wooden “UFO” vases crafted by a multigenerational family workshop in Nagiso, Japan, whose woodcraft legacy spans nearly a thousand years

The presentation features a live piano performance by Indonesian composer, producer, and pianist Eunike Tanzil, in collaboration with Steinway & Sons at the W New York - Union Square.