CamperLab’s Fall/Winter 2026 show was somewhat bittersweet. The Creative Director, Achilles Ion Gabriel, announced just a few days ago that he’s stepping down from the position after a six-year run where he’s turned the brand around and helped it grow even more internationally. One of the prime examples is that he’s been able to scale up CamperLab’s focus on shoes to a fully-formed fashion brand including clothes, sunglasses, and bags, with runway shows in Paris, like this one that’s just taken place at the historic Art Decó theatre Maison de la Mutualité.
True to Achilles’ spirit and creativity, the collection oozes coolness. The Finnish designer understands what it takes for someone to look great, to be à la mode without falling into clichés or looking like you worry too much about trends. Instead, he builds a consistent wardrobe made of pieces that work well both individually and paired together. For example, the third look down the runway, consisting of a pair of jeans and denim shirt, make up an incredible full look (the denim has been treated as to appear dirty and distressed, with brown patches forming degradés in specific areas) but will also work well with anything they’re styled with. That’s how you know Achilles is doing a good job: you don’t need to become a ‘CamperLab character’ but work their clothes in your own way.
However, and as we’ve seen recently with other brands, the creative director has worked on a sort of character study for his F/W show. Inspired by his memories of growing up in Lapland, the northernmost part of Finland, CamperLab’s new offering has their cast appear dressed “simply to gather wood to heat a cottage, while others are equipped to endure prolonged conditions of polar nights.” We see that in the multiple layering, the floor-length and big, sculptural coats, oversized bomber jackets, and leather jackets.
It’s also because of this polar, natural environment that the colours are mostly in cold and neutral tones like blue, black, grey, and brown. However, the colour palette is accentuated as well “by hints of aurora-inspired pink and petrol,” which give the clothes an enigmatic, punk aura. Of course, the way Achilles has treated the materials and fabrics adds to that rebellious, resistant spirit that survives even in the harshest conditions: heavy waxed cottons, brush-off leathers and weathered ostrich-embossed leathers, as well as washed, treated and even destroyed finishes in denim pieces like shirts and pants.
And yes, in the beginning we highlighted how the Creative Director has been able to grow CamperLab beyond shoes. But let’s not forget that it’s still a footwear brand to most of its clients. For the Fall/Winter 2026 collection, the Mallorca-born brand presents new models: the Terroso boots, the Escandalo loafers and boots, and the Canicula leather sneakers with 3D-printed outsoles.
With a perfect balance between shrunken and loose silhouettes, grounding and imaginative footwear, and muted colours clashing with vibrant accents, Achilles Ion Gabriel presents a brilliant collection for CamperLab as he bids farewell to the brand. But don’t be sad yet: there’s still another collection to come before his final departure, so stay tuned.
