Against an orange-pink sky and the glimmering city skyline, a live band echoed across the runway as Cucculelli Shaheen unveiled their SS26 collection ‘Flaming Hearts’. A kaleidoscope of color and texture spilled from the horizon and pulled guests into what can only be described as a fashion-induced trance. 

True to its name, ‘Flaming Hearts’ stirred emotions; through layered textures, rich colors and jewel ornamentations, maximalism took center stage. In its entirety, the collection surprised, seduced and enchanted all at once. 

Cucculelli Shaheen designed this collection for the ones with “a flaming heart that can’t sit still.”. Through a velvety color palette, architectural silhouettes and layered textures, the collection served as an allegory to the unpredictability and intensity of passion. Ultimately, mapping out its rise to rupture and surrender to restraint.

The fluctuating nature of a flame is mirrored in the fabrics’ fluidity with airy sleeves and swirling hemlines. Color gradients continue to echo this intensity as gold warms into red, yellow bleeds into orange and lilac turns into berry. A mere testament to the way passion builds gradually, then all at once. Nonetheless, passion also demands restraint. This duality appears in the more solid-colored pieces, including the Terracotta leather caftan cape set (center image), or the gold jacquard set. 

The rock-beat soundtrack guiding the models was inseparable from the pieces they wore. Led Zeppelin’s electric-edge was visible in the stage-ready showpieces: elongated trains, sculpted sleeves and bold-shouldered jackets, brought a rock-star flamboyance to the runway. After all, Rock is theatrical at its core. Even the most structured silhouettes carried movement and attitude, demanding the spotlight. 

Imagine the black jacquard tuxedo set under hot stage lights. A lace halter top and a deep V-neck vest draped under a blazer, ornamented with jet-bead embroidery, rondelles and mini paillettes, stand in front of a crowd moving to the beats of the guitar’s feedback. A seamless transition from the runway to the stage. 

Drama didn't end with Zeppelin-inspired tunes, it continued through the collection’s Renaissance-inspired maximalism The Renaissance itself is known for passionate expression and that sentiment was translated by Cucculelli Shaheen. Lavish embroidery, golden hues, voluminous gown skirts and jewels pushed the collection’s emotional intensity forward. Just as a Veronese painting uses color, draping and texture to evoke emotion with beauty, the intricate detailing and ornamentation of each look mirrored that same balance.

Silver crystals, crystal rondelles, pearls and jade baguettes adorned the silhouette of a golden geometric jacquard dress (center image), as if it was plucked from a Renaissance portrait and brought to modern life. 

We can always rely on Cucculelli Shaheen to take things a step further, where stillness and restlessness coexist, and intentional ornamentation is a must. Their 21st collection upheld the standard we’ve come to associate with the brand. Nonetheless, this season served as an example of how a human sensation, whether subtle or overwhelming, can be felt through the language of design.