Bursting onto the fashion scene earlier this year with his Bastard Aristocrat collection at Autumn/Winter London Fashion Week, British designer Hector Maclean and his House of Maclean are preparing to return to the runway this September with another collection set to take us on a visual journey. For those who haven’t yet heard his name, Hector is one to watch – one of London’s most exciting emerging fashion talents and a designer committed to projecting a bold vision of British creativity.
A graduate of Central Saint Martins – alma mater to Alexander McQueen and John Galliano – Maclean has already dressed Priyanka Chopra and Ashley Graham and is a firm favourite of the Princess of Wales.
His lineage is steeped in intrigue. Maclean descends from one of Scotland’s oldest clans, the Macleans of Mull, whose motto – Bàs no Beatha (“Death or Life”) – lies at the heart of his design ethos. Having survived a near-death experience in 2014, he weaves this tension into his work. He is also a descendant of Lady Bellasis, a lover of King James II, who bore the monarch a child from whom Hector takes his middle name (Mor). His family heritage stretches further, encompassing war-torn Poland, occupied France and rural Zimbabwe – histories that shape his narrative approach to fashion.
Hector Maclean’s AW 2025 collection, Bastard Aristocrat.
Creativity, too, was nurtured at home: the son of an artist and a dancer, Maclean imbues his collections with playfulness and a poetic sensibility, balancing romance with radicalism, disorder with elegance. Bastard Aristocrat was a deeply personal exploration of heritage and identity, drawing heavily from his own ancestry.
What comes next?
Each Maclean collection has drawn inspiration from iconic British women. His muse is the strong, independent woman engaged with contemporary society. His vision is to create clothes for women who embrace their scars as emblems of strength – imperfection as perfection. His new collection, unveiled on 21 September for Spring/Summer 2026, is titled The Girl Who Ate the Dragon.
Left: from the Heroines Collection. Right: From Orlando in Opulence, SS 2024.
With earlier collections named Orlando in Opulence, Into the Gloaming, Heroines and Boudica – spanning innocence and darkness, florals and nudes, warriors and punks – speculation is rife about his next inspiration. Previous muses have included his grandmother, mother and sister, alongside cultural icons such as Virginia Woolf and Tilda Swinton. His female protagonist is invariably strong, intelligent and playful, and his silhouettes reflect this energy.
Beyond aesthetics
Sustainability remains central to Maclean’s philosophy. Unlike many luxury houses, his commitment goes beyond industry trends – it is deeply personal. Fabrics are recycled, donated, or salvaged from landfill. The House of Maclean practises zero-waste pattern cutting and avoids synthetics wherever possible. Many designs are crafted entirely from by-products, reflecting a dedication to minimising environmental impact while pushing the boundaries of creativity. “Never waste anything” was a principle instilled in him as a child, and it continues to guide his brand.
Dress from Hector Maclean’s Bastard Aristocrat collection, crafted from upcycled Royal British Legion poppies.
Maclean’s collections are designed for women who fight fearlessly for what they love, embodying modern opulence, elegance, strength and broken romance. His work celebrates what he calls “old-fashioned British chic” with unapologetic patriotism.
Expect more history, heritage and heady fashion-hedonism when The Girl Who Ate the Dragon takes to the runway this September. For now, follow us as we follow Hector’s next steps – this is a designer to watch.
Author: Linda Hunting
The House of Maclean
www.hectormaclean.london
Custom designs: design@hectormaclean.london
Lead image © Sophia Stefelle
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