For Spring/Summer 2026, Christian Cowan dares to redefine resilience, sensuality, and shine through a surprising (yet flawless) material: latex. In collaboration with Vex, the undisputed experts in high-gloss wearable sculpture, Cowan brings a new dimension to couture — one that’s as precise as it is provocative.
This isn’t just latex for latex’s sake. Cowan’s use of the material goes far beyond aesthetic shock value. According to the designer, the latex dresses — developed in collaboration with Vex — were inspired by Rimmel London’s Lip collection, bridging fashion and beauty in a high-gloss homage to femininity and impact.
“Latex dresses, developed with Vex and inspired by Rimmel London’s Lip Latex collection, introduce 100% rubber latex minis and column gowns. Each piece is meticulously cut and rejoined, creating seamless, second-skin silhouettes complete with matching gloves, offering a modern take on resilience through precision.”
— DesignScene.netThese aren't costumes — they’re couture body armor. Sculpted, stripped-down, and reimagined, the latex pieces are constructed with razor-sharp tailoring and artisanal joining. Matching gloves extend the silhouette, creating an uninterrupted flow of liquid shine from fingertip to hemline.
Whether in deep cherry red or midnight black, the striped latex gowns make a visual impact that’s both graphic and sensual. With nods to Cowan’s coastal Spanish heritage (think nautical stripes, sailor silhouettes, and bandana-style headpieces), the designs also carry a distinctly nostalgic undertone — but filtered through a hyper-modern, high-shine lens.
Accessories round out the story: dainty buckles, marabou-trimmed boleros, and bold headwear reinforce the vision of strength and softness coexisting.
This collection proves that fashion and beauty can co-author something powerful. The Lip Latex inspiration doesn’t just influence the garments visually — it represents the glossy fearlessness of modern femininity. The Vex Latex collab brings the structure, precision, and confidence needed to make that metaphor wearable.
It also speaks to a broader fashion moment: materials once considered niche (or even taboo) are taking center stage, redefined as luxurious, editorial, and expressive. Cowan and Vex don’t shy away from this — they lean into it, proving that latex can be just as elegant and considered as silk or chiffon.
The Vex Latex x Christian Cowan partnership is more than a runway highlight — it's a cultural statement. A synergy of makeup and fashion, legacy and latex, softness and armor. If SS26 had a texture, it would be slick, structured, and utterly unforgettable.
