–Eliza Corderman
This week I had the chance to see Tara Babylon’s Spring/Summer 2026 Ready-to-Wear collection, and it was a captivating display of color, craft, and process. Known for her meticulous hand-beading and innovative textile development, the British-Iraqi designer and performance artist continues to push fabric beyond its expected limits — this season by literally painting it into existence.
For SS26, Babylon stepped into the realm of fine art. She created a series of delicate, floral-inspired paintings using watered-down acrylics on pattern paper, then transformed these artworks into repeat prints across the collection. The color story — soft washes of pinks, blues, and turquoise, punctuated by her signature “Middle Eastern blue” — gave the lineup a feminine, joyful energy while honoring her Iraqi heritage. Viewers could see her original paintings tacked to the wall behind the models, a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse that made the artistry tangible.
The silhouettes favored refined femininity — easy dresses, tea-length skirts, and versatile separates — yet felt playful and customizable, thanks to prints that could mix and match across the collection. A personal highlight was the aptly named “Happy Accident” print, born from the paint-splattered paper Tara used while developing other designs. Its spontaneous swirls of color became one of the most memorable moments of the show. True to her immersive approach, Tara completed each look with sculptural, whimsical shoes and bespoke headwear, ensuring every outfit felt considered from head to toe.
Having recently shown this ready-to-wear collection at Dubai Fashion Week, Tara spoke about how her Iraqi heritage influenced her approach this season. She shared that the softness and femininity of the pieces felt especially resonant for Middle Eastern women.
Babylon describes the collection as “Tea Party Chic,” a phrase that neatly captures its balance of charm and sophistication. Inspired by the rose — her national flower — she reimagined tradition through abstract, hand-painted blooms on flowing fabrics, merging whimsy with quiet elegance. Behind the dreamy palette and romantic shapes lies the brand’s ethos: a gender-fluid ready-to-wear label that celebrates color, craft, and performance art while preserving artisanal techniques. Babylon’s collections often balance joyful experimentation with thoughtful sustainability, keeping the handmade alive in an industry dominated by speed and disposability.
This SS26 outing felt especially intimate — a celebration of fabric as canvas and a designer expanding her creative language without losing touch with her roots. It was whimsical yet wearable, artistic yet approachable. Tara Babylon reminded us that clothes can still feel personal, imaginative, and deeply alive.
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