FASHION
From British Royal Love Affairs to the London Catwalk
A muse of a Royal affair drives the upcoming Hector Maclean collection
BY VANESA KRIZONYTE
Hector Maclean in Studio. Photo Credits: Courtesy of Hector Maclean | Eleanor Juliet PR Ltd.
Amongst fashion week preparations, we speculate if the upcoming Hector Maclean collection will connect us to the aura of a muse originating from a royal affair and if garments presented on the catwalk can make us reflect on our romantic relationships.
The union of global fashion communities is returning to the streets of London to celebrate London Fashion Week. Every season, we prioritize experiences to tell the story to our dear readers. Using our dialogue with designers to stimulate fashionable conversation. This AW25 season, being approached by Hector Maclean to offer a preview of their collection came with hesitation; how can we report on the unseen? This hesitation disappeared when we encountered a sneak peek into the collection themes such as conflicting love, the polarization of quiet and loud luxury and the role of muses within fashion.
The Bastard Aristocrats collection is “based on myself & my ancestor Lady Bellasis who had an affair with King James II and had an heir from the Royal Family.”
In the modern world of relationship complexities, we are more conscious of our values and identity. The navigation of love can be a complex part of our lives. It is uplifting to hear that the Hector Maclean collection will explore these humane relationship struggles and how history does not define us.
Hector Maclean, AW25 Making Of. Photo Credits: Courtesy of Hector Maclean | Eleanor Juliet PR Ltd.
Often not discussed, the Maclean collection stimulates thoughts on how our attire may play a pivotal role in our love language and the bonding we experience with partners. It will be captivating to see the representation of relationship affairs through textile craftsmanship. Situated amongst great fashion thinkers at the upcoming Maclean show, our key thoughts will include: would Lady Bellasis wear this collection? Are we supposed to connect to her as our muse? Shall we use fashion history to understand our ancestry? Current stories circulating in mainstream media platforms debate Haute Couture designers’ artistry as a symbol of female admiration or despise. Indeed, Hector’s centrality on the female muse opens this discussion point.
The Bastard Aristocrats collection is broad-casted to feature embellishments in a clear British aesthetic. As stated by Maclean, “the idea of romance returning to fashion, there’s this fight between luxury & extravagance”. The year 2024 in the fashion books was a constant battle between old and new money aesthetics. Already admired by Priyanka Chopra and Ashley Graham, Hector Maclean is the breaking point needed to reintroduce royal and romantic concepts into our wardrobes…
Hector Maclean, Archival Imagery Look 29. Photo Credits: Courtesy of Hector Maclean | Eleanor Juliet PR Ltd.
Show Date: 23rd February 2025, Evening Event. BAstArd Aristocrat – HECTOR MACLEAN AW25 Catwalk and After Party
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 collections with London. The interview was conducted on 17, February 2025.
Explore Hector Maclean:
