With its autumn/winter ‘26 collection, OpéraSport transported guests to Venice by nightfall as the city transforms under lamplight
“It was as if the sea itself carried the city upon its waves, and as if the sky had cast its glow down to be reflected in its canals.” This captivating quote by Hans Christian Andersen, an ode to the timeless majesty of Venice, served as this season's inspiration for Awa Malina Stelter and Stephanie Gundelach, the visionaries behind the Danish label OpéraSport. While the Italian city is perpetually inspiring, it was specifically the heady allure, potent femininity, and sheer magnetism of Venice by night that truly enchanted the duo, becoming the foundational starting point for their autumn/winter ‘26 collection.
“Evening is a little more glamorous,” notes Stelter, adding that they focused on the quiet opulence of the city after dark, with its sculptural columns, ornate palazzos, moonlit water, and hidden intimacy all basked in gentle lamplight. The collection translated this nocturnal elegance at the H.C. Anderson Hall, its grandeur accompanied by a harpist, welcomed guests to the show. Models (their skin natural but bronzed and hair in a deep side part, either waved or sleek, reminiscent of old Italian movies) walked amidst architecture, light, and theatrical design that immersed show-goers in Venice’s poetic charm.
Sculptural tailoring of pleated blazers and cinched detailing is paired with fluid, recycled satins and sequinned surfaces that catch the light like reflections on the water. This satin, in a delightful twist, was also inspired by a particular tasselled lamp the pair discovered during the design process – its colours, patterns, and majesty reinterpreted as the central white fabric dominating the show. Scarves act as mock skirts, their own tassels harkening back to the lamp, swaying gently with each step.
The paler colour palette contrasts with deep chocolate, plum, and olive tones, establishing a dynamic interplay between darkness and glow, and between softness and strength. The collection also sees layered lace, ruffles, and draped satin, evoking the faded splendour of Venetian palazzos, while strong silhouettes and faux fur elements provided a touch of modern warmth and depth. And, in a brand first, the show culminated with the debut of their accidental bride: a "crispy white look" of a skirt and corset set that offered a distinctly unconventional take on bridal wear.
It was here, too, that OperaSport unveiled its first footwear collaboration: a partnership with British heritage shoemaker Clarks, set to launch in October. Reimagining two of Clarks' most iconic silhouettes through the distinct OperaSport lens, the collection includes the classic Wallabee style transformed into a sleek, knee-high boot complete with removable tassels, and a boat shoe perfectly echoing the collection's Venetian inspirations.
See the full collection below.
