Haute Mode Hirata unveiled its Spring Summer 2026 collection at Tokyo Fashion Week with a breathtaking showcase of 31 hats that redefined the possibilities of headwear. Founded by the legendary Akio Hirata, whose visionary creations graced the worlds of Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, and Comme des Garçons, the house continues to honor its founder’s philosophy of Haute Mode: headpieces conceived with the precision and artistry of haute couture. Today, that legacy is carried forward by Oko Hirata and her children, Saki and Sho, who infuse his spirit with their own contemporary daring.

The show opened with a profound tribute to Akio Hirata. The first look, titled Notre Dame, rendered entirely in sculptural black curves, embodied reverence and elegance, setting the tone for a collection that blurred the boundary between hat and art object. What followed was a visionary exploration of form: expansive straw brims spiraling into architectural arcs, wave-like silhouettes undulating around the body, and floral-infused designs that bloomed with theatrical vitality.

Flowers emerged as leitmotifs, poetic yet powerful. A woven straw hat adorned with hand-dyed mimosa radiated delicacy, while a brilliant blue headpiece with coral-like blossoms captured movement and depth. A black creation veiled with white silk roses brought a dreamlike intimacy, while others transformed into bouquets themselves, sculptural tributes to nature’s ephemeral grace.

Material innovation anchored the collection’s narrative. Traditional straw and Manila hemp met unexpected experimentations: glossy leather treated through Kyōzen-inspired dyeing with Kyoto Leather, cutout straw infused with washi-laminated leather, and layered washi paper hats glowing with the vibrancy of Aomori’s Nebuta Festival. Each design spoke to fearless craftsmanship, blending heritage with avant-garde artistry.

The headwear was paired with garments from some of Japan’s most promising names, Ryunosuke Okazaki and Takuya Sunagawa of Mister It. Tatsuya Tamada of Tamme and TEN10 created a unified runway where fashion and sculpture intertwined.

With its Spring Summer 2026 collection, Haute Mode Hirata reaffirmed its role as both custodian of legacy and pioneer of the new. Every piece radiated imagination and devotion to craft, proving that in the Hirata universe, a hat is never merely an accessory; it is an emblem of artistry, heritage, and vision elevated to the highest form.