Oscar Ouyang Melds Folklore, Experimental Knits, and Streetwear for His SS26 LFW Debut
The Central Saint Martins graduate made his runway debut at the 180 Strand NEWGEN space in London.
London Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2026 is already proving to be a pivotal season for British fashion. Under the new leadership of Chief Executive Laura Weir, the British Fashion Council (BFC) has promised a “bold new era” – and that vision is already taking shape. One key move? A renewed focus on emerging talent through the 2025/26 BFC NEWGEN initiative.
Among this year’s most exciting NEWGEN recipients is Oscar Ouyang, the Beijing-born, London-based designer who just made his official LFW runway debut.
Ouyang’s SS26 collection builds on the narrative he developed during his seven years at Central Saint Martins – fusing folklore, streetwear, and intricate technical craftsmanship into a collection that’s as wearable as it is imaginative.
The show opened with a military-inspired jacket, styled with shimmering shorts and a matching tasseled scarf. What followed was a series of tactile, layered looks – like three-quarter-length knitted leggings worn under fuzzy feathered shorts with a soft grey tee and beanie, or a short-sleeved knit shirt adorned with scattered tassels, paired with functional trousers and sneakers.
Additionally, throughout the lineup, a diverse range of knitwear techniques came into play – from classic sleeveless vests and ponchos to more avant-garde pieces like boxy, oversized knit tees and sculptural hand-crocheted tunics.
The signature standout of the collection, however, was feathers. They appeared woven through models’ hair, laced into sneakers, and stitched onto headpieces – an ethereal motif meant to evoke “the king of the forest,” according to the designer’s show notes.
Despite the collection’s fantastical elements, it remained grounded by earthy tones and street-inspired silhouettes, as well as a sprinkling of technical fabrics that appeared throughout – most notably in khaki outerwear and utilitarian green and navy trousers. Finished with Converse-style sneakers, each look struck a careful balance between narrative and utility, underscoring Ouyang’s ability to merge storytelling with craftsmanship while still creating wearable street pieces.
Scroll up to explore the full SS26 collection.
