John Richmond introduced Culture Vulture for SS26, a multi-city project that replaced the traditional runway with fashion as live performance. The project unfolded across three nights in London, Milan, and Paris, each location feeding into the next with unbroken energy. Instinctive and immersive, the presentation underscored Richmond’s restless drive to challenge the traditional structures of fashion.
London opened the series during Fashion Week with a takeover of Covent Garden’s STEREO club. The venue shifted from nightlife space into stage, a hybrid of show and gig. Lights, sound, and a live band pushed against order while Richmond’s clothes demanded attention under the chaos. The atmosphere embraced the unpredictability of London’s underground, with raw edges amplified by the collision of music and fashion.
The SS26 collection drew from Richmond’s roots in music culture. It pulled together references from 70s soul boys, pre-punk Americana, Goth, and the glamour of clubland. Subcultures appeared as fragments patched into a language that belongs distinctly to the designer. Contrasts defined the pieces: satin set against organza, lace and georgette clashing with leather and distressed denim. Couture-level beadwork sat beside tattoo-inspired graphics, while silhouettes carried Richmond’s refined sensibility.
Color played a decisive role. Black and ivory grounded the collection, while gold, turquoise, and yellow injected vibrancy. The palette mirrored the duality of sophistication and defiance. Mirko Pedone shaped the styling, bringing an editorial edge informed by his ties to youth culture. Carola Monteleone directed casting, placing emphasis on faces that felt unpolished and authentic, amplifying the sense of street-level realism that Richmond has always carried into his work.
When the show ended, the night expanded into a party. Richmond teamed with The1989, a platform known for its influence in underground culture, to channel a distinctly London spirit. The line-up reflected the same clash of influences present in the clothes. Paul Simon of The Clash performed back-to-back with Dan Donovan, Faris Badwan of The Horrors joined the mix, and Solange Smith delivered a live poem. Sounds Mint and other figures from the city’s music scene carried the night’s energy forward. Photographer The Cobra Snake documented it all, capturing sweat, sparks, and chaos in the way only he can.
After London, Culture Vulture moves into Milan and Paris through open-format gatherings that blur the line between show and experience. Musicians, dancers, stylists, and artists take part, wearing Richmond’s designs as part of the performance. Three nights, three cities, one current of energy: Culture Vulture placed John Richmond SS26 firmly in the space where music, subculture, and fashion collide.
