LFW | SEPTEMBER 17 & 18
Wardrobe 26: An Intimate Trunk Show in Shoreditch
In the quiet, unspoken elegance and whimsy of Gegend Gallery, a tucked-away tea house in Shoreditch, womenswear designer Mira Maktabi unveiled Wardrobe 26. This collection, shown during London Fashion Week, refines her Central Saint Martins MA work into a body of timeless pieces that feel distinctly her own.
Curated by Zina Jamil of Studio Deïmé, who oversaw the food selection and ambience, the trunk show was conceived as an immersive introduction to the world of Mira Maktabi; one of opulence, reverie, and resilience. It was an invitation into an atmosphere where design, culture, and intimacy seamlessly intertwined, where meticulous tailoring met with aromatic scents and flavours rooted in her Middle Eastern, Lebanese heritage. This involved a handpicked menu that reflected the spirit of the collection: thoughtful, elegant, and rooted in culture. Guests were welcomed with brunch and cocktails inspired by Middle Eastern flavours; traditional mini Lebanese ka’ak by Common Breads, fresh figs, grapes and cheeses, alongside tarts infused with orange blossom water and white chocolate. These gestures honoured Mira’s heritage while creating a sensory backdrop for the collection’s unveiling.
Wardrobe 26 celebrates the private rituals of women through the evening wardrobe. Those moments that are often left unseen, yet remain deeply meaningful. Each piece, individually (and then, collectively), tells a story wrapped and draped in a natural charm, one soft and delicate to the touch yet undoubtedly invaluable. There is a continued emphasis on fit, silhouette, and longevity, yet with some room for experimentation - necklines that drape like an oil-painted waterfall, smooth trouser pants that bellow at the inseam yet kindly nurture curves, and sleeves that cascade weightlessly like a candle flame. Through fabric, cut, and subtle detailing, the garments foster a deeper emotional connection, resisting the fleeting cycle of disposability and instead building a wardrobe of permanence. Thus, Mira’s designs effortlessly redefine women’s modernity while embodying a woman’s (potential) sensuality–what you see isn’t entirely what you get, but you fall in love with what’s on the surface just as easily.
Crafted in London from Savile Row wool and fine silks, each garment honours natural fibres and rejects synthetics–an ethos the Lebanese designer refuses to fall short of. Hidden details, such as silk satin linings in collars, silk chiffon panels on trouser legs and silk habotai lining in all of the outerwear, whisper directly to Maktabi’s philosophy of clothes as personal companions; that these garments, which can (and should) double as heirlooms, are to be worn and cherished.
As a slow-fashion offering, the collection is available exclusively on pre-order and through custom orders. Each piece is made on demand, reducing waste while granting every wearer a sense of intimacy and exclusivity.
With Thanks
The evening was generously supported by MUJEN. Selected for its integrity and refined taste, admired by bartenders such as Tato Giovanoni, the spirit was served in cocktails crafted by The Mixology Brothers. It is now available at Selfridges and Hedonism Wines.