Maximilian Raynor’s SS26 Brings Nostalgia and Raw British Storytelling to LFW

London Fashion Week always thrives on drama, but Maximilian Raynor’s SS26 runway show took it to another level. Titled “I’ll Cry If I Want To”, the presentation unfolded like a fever dream birthday party, complete with cakes topped with candles and even an elderly couple — both actors — dancing before the first look hit the runway. It set the tone for what was an electric, character-driven show that blurred the line between memory, fantasy, and fashion.

Raynor drew inspiration from his Derbyshire roots, reimagining his family’s history through a queer, theatrical lens. The collection was built on a narrative of a boy stumbling across family photographs and drifting into a dream where ancestors from different eras gather at one surreal party.

Standout references included odes to his grandmother’s houndstooth coats, steel worker aprons, leopard print shirts, and twinsets — all reworked with Raynor’s signature exaggeration. This interplay of heritage and fantasy gave the collection an undeniable emotional weight, while still keeping a playful, rebellious twinkle (helped along by glittering disco touches).

The show also marked a huge milestone for Raynor — his official on-schedule LFW debut, powered by the Hidden Fashion Initiative (Hi-Fi), a program created to support emerging designers. Raynor’s gratitude was woven through his presentation, acknowledging the reality of how difficult it is to balance heartfelt design with commercial sustainability. Still, his faith in storytelling and his team’s creativity made the collection feel like a statement of resilience as much as artistry.

Collaboration was another key theme: Raynor unveiled pieces with John Smedley Knitwear, reworking classic polos and cardigans from the heritage Derbyshire brand, and a new eyewear line with KOMONO, inspired by punk hardware and glam 70s nightlife. Both collabs will land online and in stores in early 2026, extending the reach of his identity beyond the runway.

By the finale, it was clear that Raynor had succeeded in more than just presenting clothes — he had staged an ode to working-class British roots, reframed through nostalgia, queerness, and unflinching honesty. It was a party tinged with both joy and pain, leaving the audience in awe of a designer who doesn’t shy away from depth.

Raynor’s “I’ll Cry If I Want To” SS26 wasn’t just a fashion show — it was a celebration of memory, community, and the ghosts that shape us. And if this was his London Fashion Week debut, it’s safe to say Raynor is here to stay.