Jil Sander Collection Creates Light from Darkness as Designers Lucie and Luke Meier Leave the Brand
A model wears a creation of the Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2025-2026 women's collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Jil Sander Collection Creates Light from Darkness as Designers Lucie and Luke Meier Leave the Brand

Colleen Barry READ TIME: 11 MIN.

The latest Jil Sander collection featured shimmering surfaces that cut dramatically against the darkened runway on the second day of Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday, an effect that creative directors Lucie and Luke Meier said "turns darkness ... into light."

Designers Lucie e Luke Meier greet the audience at the end of the Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2025-2026 women's collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Hours after the show, brand owner OTB Group announced that it would be the creative husband-and-wife team's last after eight years building on the brand's legacy of minimalism. A release said the parting was mutual.

A model wears a creation of the Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2025-2026 women's collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Femininity Subverted

In what turned out to be their final word at Jil Sander, the designers subverted all things feminine with edgy details.


Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Frocks and outerwear created from long, sequined fringe grabbed the light, while feathery details fluttered on wool, creating contrast and movement. Delicate bows decorated long sculptural dresses.

A model wears a creation of the Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2025-2026 women's collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

All this prettiness was grounded by punk details: Half-kilts belted over garments and silver hardware, like safety-pin-like necklaces, chunky baubles hanging from belts and studded footwear.

A model wears a creation of the Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2025-2026 women's collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Light from Darkness

Delicate floral prints seemed to have been dipped in a dark wash for an ombre effect on coats, dresses and suits. The effect was mirrored in knitwear.

A model wears a creation of the Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2025-2026 women's collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

The color palette was mostly black, white and greys, with pops of bubble gum pink in a long fringe dress and leather ensembles in royal blue for him and red for her.

Models wear creations of the Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2025-2026 women's collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Trend Watch

A pair of shearling fur coats, shearling detailing on a long, deep-slit dress attest that fur is making a comeback on Milan runways.

A model wears a creation of the Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2025-2026 women's collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

Fur and leather collars that close with a silver chain. Silver accents in general. Shiny surfaces, sequined fringe.

Models wear creations of the Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2025-2026 women's collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni
A model wears a creation of the Jil Sander Fall/Winter 2025-2026 women's collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025
Source: AP Photo/Antonio Calanni

by Colleen Barry

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