MARKE SS26: Queer Nostalgia in Lavender Dreams

For SS26, MARKE took us to “The Summer I Never Had”—a dreamy, emotional trip through queer coming-of-age stories that could’ve, should’ve, or almost happened. Inspired by cult queer novels like Maurice, Swimming in the Dark, and Young Mungo, the collection felt like a love letter to moments lost to history—tender, private, and powerful.

The runway? A full-on lavender field fantasy. Think romantic melancholy meets summertime longing. Models glided through it in softly structured eveningwear, swooshy voluminous shorts, and polished coats, subtly clashing with sporty track jackets and pants. And then there were the hidden love notes—carried like secrets in hands or dangling on necklaces. Heart = shattered.

The palette stayed soft and wistful: florals, muted checks, breezy cottons, virgin wools. Silhouettes leaned nostalgic but never outdated, bringing vintage vibes into a hyper-contemporary Gen Z lens. It’s history, but make it queer, and wearable.

With “The Summer I Never Had,” MARKE doesn’t just design clothes—it designs feelings. Consider our hearts stolen.