FASHION
Hector Maclean’s AW25 Collection and the Legacy of Lady Belasyse
BY VANESA KRIZONYTE
Hector Maclean, AW25 Show. Photo Credits: Mark Gunter | Eleanor Juliet PR Ltd.
The Hector Maclean AW25 Bastard Aristocrats collection transformed our understanding of Royal British culture and infused the reckless free-spirited side of female identities. British designer Hector Maclean discovered he was the descendant of Lady Susan Belasyse, the daughter of a 17th-century privy counsellor engaged to marry King James II. Showcased in the heart of the honourable architect Inigo Jones Covent Garden church, the catwalk contributed to fashion history by inserting the muse of Lady Belasyse into contemporary fashion trends.
Generally speaking, fashion circles mingle through the night in celebration of new designer collections and prolific publication headlines land by the morning horizon. Our digestion of Hector Maclean’s collection began with a preview. Based on fashion rules, an overview of a collection weeks later is hazardous, but not in this case. We report an experience where the message within Maclean’s garments has followed us for the long term.
Whilst mainstream media battles the polarisation of quiet and loud luxury, Maclean silenced this by bringing a storm of culturally enriched garments. Each model adorned in captivating attire—intricate white lace, earthy pearls, and bold punk silhouettes—crafted from British fabrics such as upcycled flags, Remembrance Day poppies donated by the Royal British Legion, and velvet curtains. The result was a powerful tribute to English heritage, stirring an emotional connection to the United Kingdom’s ancestors.
Hector Maclean, AW25 Show. Photo Credits: Mark Gunter | Eleanor Juliet PR Ltd.
Before the show, we speculated if Lady Belasyse’s aura would permeate the collection and how clothes can influence female relationships. Indeed, the richness of the materials hugging the female form conveyed a strong and beautiful representation of Lady Belasyse. As the models descended the stairs with supportive gentlemen gestures, guests seated below held identical Union Jack-printed umbrellas while Maclean’s flag fluttered in the wind against the timeless backdrop of St. Paul’s Church Covent Garden. The rainy London weather showcased Britain in all its glory, with models gracefully battling the dampened runway and gusting wind lifting their dresses to reveal glimpses of skin. This vulnerability altered our vision of catwalks, that women can be reckless yet remain beautiful, desirable and a muse. It is a reminder of the humane struggle to maintain female perfectionism, using Lady Belasyse’s story of conflicting romance to show guests that relationship history does not enter the future nor define fashionable appearance. Accompanied by a remixed version of the British anthem, the models’ elegant imperfections within royal themes sent a message of equality: we all experience the same emotions and, in our own right, we are all royals.
Hector Maclean, AW25 Show. Photo Credits: Mark Gunter | Eleanor Juliet PR Ltd.
This exploration of the organic female identity carried over into our experiences at Milan Fashion Week, where high couture and perfectionism dominate. In contrast, Maclean celebrated female recklessness, offering a fresh perspective on fashion freedom. His collection painted London as a place of fashion liberation, where royal attire could transition into everyday wear—a concept rarely discussed in the fashion world. At the show, commentary links to Vivienne Westwood awoke British punk energy, a theme that has left us in the last few years.
Hector Maclean, AW25 Show. Photo Credits: Sophia Stefelle | Eleanor Juliet PR Ltd.
Maclean’s AW25 collection serves as a love letter to his heritage, using fashion to connect with ancestors through stories, fabrics, and muses. It is a tale of Lady Belasyse’s complex relationships and capturing her natural state despite her royal connections. Hector Maclean reminds us that we are all royalty, each with an identity worthy of admiration.
Thank you to Eleanor Juliet PR Ltd. for the invitation to Hector Maclean. Thank you to Eleanor Taylor-Roberts for approving our publication. Deepest gratitude to Hector Maclean for sharing their collection with London. Show Date: 23rd February 2025.
Explore Hector Maclean:
Hector Maclean, AW25 Show. Photo Credits: Sophia Stefelle | Eleanor Juliet PR Ltd.
Thank you to Mi Bolsa London from Scoop International Trade Show for gifting our London Fashion Week lookbook. A UK-based handbag designer infused with Spanish culture. Mi Bolsa London ‘Mi Bag’ collection offers bespoke options for customers who seek individuality. It features a removable top handle and strap design for effortless colour customisation. The new Westfield London store opening in May 2025 will offer these services for personal taste.
