These xclusive backstage photographs by Sasha Zhu offer an intimate look behind DAGGER‘s SS27 presentation, which sees designer Luke Raine return to the British coastal town where he grew up. Continuing the narrative established in AW26, the collection follows the same cast of characters as they navigate the defining moments between adolescence and adulthood, capturing the uncertainty, optimism and freedom that come with discovering who they are.
Set against the backdrop of skate culture, fairgrounds and long summer nights, the collection draws on memories of first jobs, first romances and first heartbreaks. Rather than leaning into nostalgia, Raine uses these experiences to explore how identity is shaped by everyday life and the environment in which we grow up.
The casting and understated beauty direction further reinforced the collection’s focus on individuality, allowing the personalities behind the clothes to take centre stage.
The show’s closing moments added another layer to the collection’s message. During the finale, Luke Raine wore a T-shirt with the handwritten slogan “Employ Working Class Kids.” The statement echoed the collection’s underlying themes, highlighting the opportunities—and limitations—that continue to shape young people’s futures.
Luke Raine during the finale
Credits
Photography
Lespictures by Sasha Zhu
Styling
Marvin Lobodda
Hair & Makeup Design
Phillip Verheyen
Casting Direction
Benedikt Verheyen
