During Spring/Summer 2026, Amsterdam-born label Camiel Fortgens, established by its namesake Dutch fashion designer, explored the Americana aesthetic with a retro feel. For SS27, the brand then turned its focus to the Parisian lifestyle, using its daily archetypes as a source of inspiration.
Not by accident, the collection presentation began on the terrace of a classic French café and bistro in Paris and progressed with the models, all of whom wore clothes that blended into the cosmopolitan scenery, as they integrated into the public space among invitees and passers-by.
The above-mentioned intention centred around Fortgens' individual and business's evolving ethos: a reinterpretation of day-to-day, ready-to-wear garments designed with a sense of handwork as “perfectly imperfect,” unpolished pieces.
Following that, SS27 intentionally exposed usually hidden details related to garment construction and sewing. The white handmade stitching on the waist of denim trousers, for example, was chaotic and purposefully contrasted with the darker fabric. Textured linings merged onto button-downs and escaped through the edges of materials. Hemlines were raw and undone, and patterns and prints adorned the inside of long t-shirts, worn completely flipped.
With an innate sense of utilitarianism and practicality, this time mostly drawn from outdoor apparel and borrowed from rural and farming attire, trousers in linen and overall looser forms become comfortable enough for the everyday closet.
Faded and washed colours, green, pink, and burgundy hues in particular, rule throughout the collection, aiming to highlight the idea of treasured items that change, adapt, and stand the test of time, a common theme across a range of men’s labels this season.
Looking up, the fringed, straight-haired wigs mostly caught the eye, but a double take showed that the footwear in the show was also worth praise. From slim, bowling-style lace-up trainers in burgundy and bright green to the leather-like slide flip-flops with cork soles, Fortgens made summer shoe shopping – as well as dressing – an easy, enjoyable task.
Words by Ketlyn Araujo
