Haven’t you ever strolled through a museum, an antique shop, or even your grandmother’s house and stopped in front of a random object that just caught your attention? Perhaps an old gold watch that has marked 21:45 for God knows how many years, a decorative letter opener with jewelled motifs, or a locket that still holds the sepia photograph of a golden-haired girl with nostalgic eyes. And there you stand, just observing it for a moment, mesmerised.
These are objects that emanate a soft, intriguing energy, making you wonder who created them or who has held them in their hands. Then, you look around at your surroundings, full of contemporary objects, and realise: whatever we are creating right now will one day be seen as artefacts. Everything is both very ancient and very futuristic at the same time. This feeling serves as the inspiration for Grace Ling’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection, Future Relics, recently presented during New York Fashion Week.
Particularly known for her biomorphic and structural tailoring, Grace Ling has, in just a few short years, become a fashion force to be watched. Blending contemporary aesthetics with intricate craftsmanship, her work strikes a balance between delicate yet strong femininity, often incorporating 3D-printing technology to achieve an avant-garde look. In this collection, the designer explores the passage of time through fabric manipulation – cracked, burnt, and frayed textiles – framed by pristine, architectural tailoring, offering a striking contrast between destruction and perfection.
Bold ensembles, hooded looks, and sheer dresses drifted down the runway, creating a perfect examination of drama and intrigue. Both the makeup – dark, smoky eyeshadow, sharp long nails, sleek hair – and the incorporation of blade-inspired hardware elements – such as blazer closures made of knives and knife sheaths– perfected this tension between sharpness and innocence that runs through the collection.
The show featured well-known models, including Alton Mason, Ashley Graham, Quannah Chasinghorse, and Precious Lee, amplifying the collection’s impact. It opened and closed with drama-coded bodices made of 3D-printed aluminum pieces, a clear statement of Grace Ling’s essence: a balance between technology and craftsmanship, innovation and tradition, as well as the merging of grace and feminine force. Grace Ling’s world is one of logical contradictions, a reminder that in balance, there is room for everything.
Future Relics leaves us with a lingering thought: What will we leave behind, and how will future generations perceive what we create today? With this collection, Ling ensures that her creations will not be remembered as fleeting trends, but as future relics: perfectly balanced, bold, and unforgettable.
