Simone Bellotti Debuts Bold and Minimalist Collection for Jil Sander at Piazza Castello
Jil Sander SS26 Collection Showcased at Historic Piazza Castello
Simone Bellotti made his highly anticipated debut as creative director for Jil Sander at the brand’s historic headquarters in Piazza Castello. The collection was a refreshing departure from the previous dark and moody seasons under Luke and Lucie Meier, showcasing a lighter and more refined aesthetic.
The show took place in a bright and airy room, just a few meters away from the brand’s headquarters. Bellotti’s vision for the collection was centered around Jil Sander’s core values of purity and honesty, which he emphasized in an interview with Vogue.
Gone were the expressive prints and embellishments of the Meiers, replaced with bold and energetic colors such as electric blue, primary red, and ultraviolet. These vibrant hues were balanced with Jil Sander’s signature neutral tones of charcoal gray, off-white, taupe, black, and white.
The collection opened with the brand’s iconic minimal and architectural tailoring, featuring geometrically paneled knee skirts, slim-fitting suits with oversized pockets, and structured coats with bold arms and tapered waistlines. Bellotti then explored the brand’s more avant-garde side with a violet smock dress and a liquid chrome skirt.
Throughout the collection, there was a sense of clarity, restraint, and balance, staying true to Jil Sander’s aesthetic. Bellotti was chosen as the brand’s new creative director at the beginning of the year, following the departure of the Meiers after almost a decade at the helm. He has made it his mission to honor Sander’s legacy and has already teased a focus on the brand’s Hamburg roots with a collaborative EP and visuals.
Coincidentally, the EP was released on the same label as Aphex Twin’s debut album in 1994, the same year Jil Sander’s first showroom opened in Milan. The city now serves as the brand’s creative and operational headquarters.
Stay tuned to Hypebeast for more fashion industry insights and check out the full Jil Sander SS26 collection above.
