A quiet revolution…
Nestled within the raw shell of Fürst Berlin, German label MARKE presented its Spring/Summer 2026 collection, The Summer I Never Had, on the second evening of Berlin Fashion Week. Every detail—setting, palette, and pacing—whispered of secret summers never fully lived.
Designer Mario Keine cites queer coming-of-age novels like Maurice, Swimming in the Dark, and Young Mungo as core references for the collection.
Set in distinct settings like Edwardian England or 1980s Poland, the stories centre on repressed queer love, often forced into secrecy. That same tension runs through The Summer I Never Had. The collection reflects longing, the weight of what’s left unsaid, and the quiet defiance of imagining something freer.
“The Summer I Never Had is more than clothing—it’s a love letter to lost youth, imagined freedom, and queer resilience.”
Models at MARKE walked down a lavender adorned pathway as if in reverie. The set felt like a dream: a small white rowboat, a garden table and chairs. Placed delicately within the skeletal setting, it conjured a secret garden—quiet, nostalgic, and just a little bit surreal. The scene softened the brutalist location, turning something unfinished into something tenderly imagined.
Notes in hands or tucked into necklaces, small bouquets of lavender—all hidden clues of a clandestine love affair.
The palette remains subdued but emotive: charcoal, pigeon-blue, rosé, white, and greys. Ethereal faded florals and checkered jacquards layer subtly across the garments. Textures oscillate between lightweight wools, virgin wool-silk blends, cotton-viscose mixes, and sporty jerseys—blending romantic tailoring with streetwear ease.
MARKE’s SS26 show played with soft hues and projected an initial lightness. But, the emotional residue was more complex—something between saudade and hope. This deeply personal collection left its mark—not just on those present, but on all who have yearned for something just out of reach.
marke-brand.com // @marke.brand
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