“Etro Flux” and the New Wave of Maximalism
The brand is especially renowned for its signature paisley (“boteh”) prints, which became central to its identity starting in the early 1980s. Etro’s archive of fabrics, rare shawls, and print motifs has long been a core source of inspiration. Etro is a storied Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1968 by Gerolamo “Gimmo” Etro in Milan, beginning as a textile company before expanding into ready-to-wear, accessories, home goods, and more.
In recent years, Marco de Vincenzo has served as creative director, guiding Etro into a more contemporary, fluid direction while honoring its heritage of prints, craftsmanship, and eclecticism. Under de Vincenzo’s hand, Etro has embraced a balance: celebrating maximalism and layered prints, while infusing greater movement, modern cuts, and unexpected details.
The Spring/Summer 2026 Collection: “Etro Flux”
Show Setting & Concept
At Milan Fashion Week (September 2025), Etro presented its womenswear Spring/Summer 2026, titled “Etro Flux”. The “Flux” concept signals change, movement, and continuous evolution — an apt metaphor for the way Etro’s prints, fabrics, and design identity continue to evolve.
The show emphasized spontaneity and fluidity: garments seemingly wrap, twist, and flow around the body. The rhythmic energy of the presentation evokes motion — as though the clothes themselves are alive with flux.
Color, Prints & Visual Identity
Etro’s signature aesthetic — bold prints, pattern-on-pattern layering, artisanal motifs — remains central. The SS26 line leans into vivid textures and overlapping motifs: paisleys, abstract florals, painterly brocades, and rhythmic jacquard weaves.
In many looks, studded fringes, laser-cut leather accents, and metallic jacquards are layered over or interwoven with printed fabrics to create dynamic visual tension. According to a review in WWD, Marco de Vincenzo, after three years at the house, declared himself “fully at peace” with Etro’s legacy of maximalism and joyful self-expression via color and pattern.
Silhouettes, Fabrics & Textures
- Flowing and draped shapes dominate: dresses, skirts, tunics, and loose separates that wrap or cascade.
- Crochet, fringes, ruffles appear frequently, adding texture and movement.
- Sheer layering and transparent elements allow glimpses of skin or underlayers, creating depth.
- Outerwear and structured pieces (coats, jackets) receive embellishments — studs, gradated prints, or overlays of fringe and leather.
- Accessories are woven into the narrative: wide-brimmed laser-cut hats, beaded scarves, embroidered straps on shoes, handbags with charms and fringe.
Standout Looks & Highlights
- Fringed leather jackets layered over printed dresses — a hybrid of tough and romantic.
- Metallic jacquard gowns or skirts that catch light and reference both pattern and shine.
- Print juxtaposition ensembles: combining two or more bold prints in a single look, layered in a way that is chaotic yet harmonized.
- Color contrast moments: bursts of bright tones inserted amid darker or neutral backgrounds, heightening drama.
- Fluid wrap dresses with asymmetric hems, slit detailing, and subtle ruching.
Overall, the collection walks the fine line between Etro’s maximalist heritage and a more kinetic, contemporary fluidity.
What This Collection Signals for Etro & Fashion Trends
Reaffirming Brand Identity with Movement
In “Etro Flux,” the brand reasserts that its DNA is not static. Prints and motifs are not relics but elements to reshape, remix, and reanimate. The flux concept shows that the house is evolving its maximalism, not abandoning it.
Boho-Rock Edge
Reviews note that this season Etro gave its usual bohemian luxury a more rugged, modern edge — studs, leather, laser cuts — giving the looks more attitude for a high-tempo life.
Print Layering & Maximalism Will Persist
Given the prominence of print layering in this collection, it’s likely that print-on-print styling, mixed textures, and maximalist ensembles will remain strong trends.
Balancing Wearability & Performance
One of the strengths of Flux is how it balances theatricality and daily wear. While many looks are statement-making, there are pieces with plausible wearability, allowing the collection to resonate beyond runway spectacle.
