Dreaming is the only state of consciousness that lets us inhabit alternate worlds, where emotion eclipses logic, and reality bends into landscapes of the mind. 

19th September, London - Staged within the ornamental stonework of the Vestibules, Karina Bond presents her SS26 ready-to-wear and couture collection. The immersive setting evokes her extraterrestrial temple where fashion transforms into a sculptural second skin. 

With ‘The Midnight Sun’, CSM graduate Karina Bond presents a collection that channels dream logic into reality. In contrast to the rise of illusory AI fashion, Bond delivers pioneering innovation and extraordinary craftsmanship that feel otherworldly yet exist firmly in the physical realm. 

The 21-look ready-to-wear and couture collection continues Bond’s exploration of cutting-edge technology and artistry. The majority of the pieces are created entirely by hand using biocompatible, biodegradable TPU and PLA filaments drawn “from thin air” with a 3D pen. These zero-waste garments blur the line between sculpture and clothing, evoking the sensation of a futuristic second skin and progression into a new fashion dawn. 

The collection highlights include the show’s finale, the “Desert Rose” dress. A development from last season’s 3D textiles which imitated fabric, this gravity defying look exemplifies her futuristic design language. This dress is composed of over 5,000 individually hand drawn discs inspired by crystalline desert formations. As Bond explains, “it’s a design which would have been impossible to imagine in the past, that no fabric could replicate”. 

This September Bond debuts accessories, a first for the British designer. Self assembled, 3D printed handbags adorned with sensory embellishments are presented, which will become a collectible item with a seasonal drop. A collaborative jewellery line with Vicki Sarge features 3D-printed stones and intricate metalwork, with select items set for commercial release at a private Kensington boutique launch later in the month. 

With The Midnight Sun, Karina Bond articulates a radical vision for the future of fashion, one liberated from the limitations of mainstream manufacturing, realised through technology and conceived without compromise. 

Words & Images Courtesy: Cellar Ltd