W: Zoe Harrison I: G-Star
The FW26 "Spotlight Returns" showcase at RAWFACTORY wasn't just a fashion show; it was a high-octane reclamation of G-STAR RAW’s industrial soul. By turning their OMA-designed headquarters into a pulsating runway, the brand stripped away the fluff of "lifestyle" branding to reveal the raw, oily gears of denim engineering. From the moment Dutch artist Frenna set the tone, it was clear that G-STAR wasn't interested in chasing the current "quiet luxury" craze. Instead, they leaned into "Hardcore Denim" with a collection that felt architectural, unapologetic, and technically superior to anything else on the market.
The show's heartbeat was the radical RAW RESEARCH collaboration with Botter, which pushed the boundaries of what denim can actually do. We saw "untreated" indigo surfaces transformed into sculptural armor, featuring displaced seams and bonded fabrics that looked like they were forged in a laboratory rather than sewn in a factory. This experimental energy was grounded by the return of the Arc jean, G-STAR’s crown jewel of 3D construction. For FW26, the iconic corkscrew silhouette was sharpened for a modern audience, proving that the brand’s obsession with how fabric wraps around a moving body remains their greatest competitive edge
Ultimately, FW26 felt like a strategic "reset" that prioritized the archive over the trend cycle. The inclusion of Anton Corbijn’s atmospheric voice-over served as a reminder of the brand's long-standing connection to authentic, gritty artistry. By focusing on heavy-duty utility and precision-tailored womenswear, G-STAR sent a loud message from the heart of Amsterdam: they aren't just making jeans; they are building equipment for the modern world. It was a masterclass in staying true to your DNA while using the most advanced tools available to evolve it.