In an era of constant spectacle, Chitose Abe chose quiet power over runway theatrics for Sacai’s Resort 2026 collection. Presented via a serene lookbook within the brand’s Left Bank headquarters, the collection offered a meditative reflection on Sacai’s core philosophy: elevating the everyday through innovation, craftsmanship, and a refusal to follow the fashion herd.

This was no reset, no reinvention. Instead, Abe turned the dial toward the brand’s essential DNA—a wardrobe not built for Instagram moments but for the nuanced rhythm of real life.

The opening look, a white cotton cashmere tuxedo, set the tone: sleek, grounded, and deceptively simple. But in true Sacai form, the magic lay in the construction. Abe’s mastery of hybrid garments—her unique ability to collapse boundaries between categories—continued to shine. Each piece whispered complexity rather than shouting it.

This season’s silhouettes reveled in volume and experimentation, particularly in the sleeves, which became almost sculptural. They slashed open at the elbow, expanded into organic curves, or came with zippered volumes that shifted depending on the wearer’s mood. Double shoulder-caps and bell-shaped hems appeared alongside sleeves that were folded like origami—each one a masterclass in form and movement.

Abe’s defiance of fashion’s current obsession with sleek minimalism is no accident. She invites wearers to inhabit space boldly and comfortably. The ballooning trousers, double-layered coats, and modular tops felt both timeless and new—meant to evolve with the wearer, not just follow seasonal trends.

While recent runway presentations leaned more into singular concepts, this lookbook reminded us of Sacai’s foundational intention: to build real wardrobes for complex, dynamic lives. Pieces are meant to be worn, reworn, and loved—by editors, artists, and off-duty creatives alike.

The intimate collection unveiling ended not with applause, but with celebration. Guests gathered over Japanese cuisine and karaoke, a reflection of the brand’s joyful sincerity. A highlight was a performance by artist D4vd, who sang his viral track “Here With Me.” But the most stirring moment? Chitose Abe herself, mic in hand, singing “Empire State of Mind” surrounded by friends, all dressed in Sacai.

That final scene distilled the very soul of the Resort 2026 collection: effortless elegance, worn in moments that matter—not on stages, but in stories.