For SS26, Astrid Andersen playfully reclaims the term “streetwear,” presenting a collection that’s practical, layered, and made to move through real life
Since its introduction just one year ago, Stel has developed a language of relaxed tailoring and breezy barrel-legged denim that’s practical, to-the-point and effortlessly pleasing. Still, founder Astrid Andersen knows the aesthetic – or perhaps just the word – she’s most closely associated with is ‘streetwear’ (for years, her cult namesake brand revelled in print-heavy basketball jerseys and hoodies for hypebeasts in-the-know). So, for spring/summer '26, the designer makes a cheeky nod to her legacy, exploring, as she calls it, “Street Wear”. “I’m a bit stressed out by the term, but then we thought it was a little bit funny to break that up,” says Andersen. “One thing I’m very sure of is that Stel is not streetwear, but it’s made with the intention of being worn on the streets.”
To that end, today’s Stel show took things to the street, recreating the organised chaos of a crosswalk at rush hour. Set in a simple black box space, guests sat in clusters throughout the room as models snaked around them. “You know that moment when you’re at Oxford Circus or wherever it is and everyone is waiting to cross and then the light goes green and everyone goes into motion,” says Andersen. “It feels impersonal – people don’t look at each other – but we intuitively interact just in the fact that we don’t walk into each other.” Whilst designing the collection, Andersen explored the work of Danish photographer Peter Funch, whose uncanny images of bustling streets are actually seamlessly crafted collages, realised over months and years of photographing the same location (one such image was projected on the wall of the show space).
The garments (which, to emphasise their made-for-life ethos, are largely see-now-buy-now) build on that aforementioned design language, leaning more heavily into the notion of layers (both within the clothes themselves and via styling) and thoughtful asymmetry. A black pleated apron skirt, for instance, featuring a midi layer and a mini layer, is worn over relaxed trousers and apron shirts with tied sides (another feature of the Stel universe – adaptability and size inclusivity) is popped over a classic Oxford button-down. Any nods towards streetwear veer towards a more Japanese interpretation, where technical fabrics reign supreme (no Supreme pun intended). The barrel-legged cargo pants and matching padded bomber are sure to scratch the itch of long-time Astrid Andersen fans.
Meanwhile, that same tech-y, pilot jacket material is applied to an off-the-shoulder blouse – a fresh silhouette for a brand that favours easy, breezy fits that tend to cover the wearer from top to toe. “This is my way of exploring when is Stel something that is venturing into sexy,” says Andersen. “I know exactly how to define when we do a good outerwear jacket or a good denim, but for me it’s trying to define how we do an evening look,” says Andersen. “The world of Stel is more than just a good denim fit.”
As the models took their finale walk, flooding the makeshift crosswalk, it became clear Stel’s particular take on street wear still has plenty of avenues to roam.
See all the looks from Stel's SS26 collection below.
