Aaron Esh’s SS26 show was documented by 11 rising photographers

For the spring/​summer 2026 show, Jamie Reid, art director at Aaron Esh, invited 11 photographers to document the occasion. ​“We wanted to capture the energy in the room – kids and industry rubbing shoulders,” Reid said of his choice to spotlight budding, young talent this season. ​“The photographers I commissioned are people I’ve been keeping tabs on, whose work I admire, and who we felt embody the same spirit as Aaron. Rather than creating something orchestrated, we wanted it to feel fluid and open.”

So here’s your intro to the photographers who are snapping new London.

How did you capture the atmosphere of the show?

By staying close to the movement – I wanted to catch those fleeting, unguarded moments.

What does the Aaron Esh world mean to you?

It’s London in motion. Refined yet raw.

How would you describe the Aaron Esh spirit?

Confident but understated. It’s about feeling cool in your own skin.

Were there specific moments or details you were drawn to while shooting?

I caught the models right at the end of their walk — when the energy’s still buzzing, but the moment softens.

How did you capture the atmosphere of the show?

I tried to be non-intrusive, letting the show and the clothes speak for themselves, without imposing or forcing the frame.

What is the Aaron Esh world to you?

Tailoring, beauty and sex.

How would you describe the Aaron Esh spirit?

Modern romance.

Were there specific moments or details you were drawn to while shooting?

The casting, soundtrack and pacing.

Was there a shot you knew you had as soon as you took it?

All of them.

How did you capture the atmosphere of the show?

I used a small point and shoot, I wanted to be nimble and not have to think so much.

What is the Aaron Esh world to you?

It’s a sexy, slick world. One where people don’t talk so much but when they do it’s very purposeful.

How would you describe the Aaron Esh spirit?

Youthful Elegance.

Were there specific moments or details you were drawn to while shooting?

I love the attitude of the models, the sense of walking with a purpose – it feels direct and now.

Was there a shot that you knew would look good when you took it?

The shot through the crowd where the upper section of the model cuts through, I love that one.

How did you capture the atmosphere of the show?

By feeling and moving along with the music – that’s really important in my work.

What is the Aaron Esh world to you?

New-age London.

How would you describe the Aaron Esh spirit?

Elegantly defiant.

Were there specific moments or details you were drawn to while shooting?

My friends — a few of them walked the show.

How did you capture the atmosphere of the show?

There was so much going on. I tried to picture everyone working and attending the show. Most of it was photographing friendly faces in a different setting. I had over 5,000 images by the end of it.

What is the Aaron Esh world to you?

It’s intentional, dishevelled at times, in line with the city’s attitude.

How would you describe the Aaron Esh spirit?

Electric, sharp, worn.

Were there specific moments or details you were drawn to while shooting?

I’m always captivated by the interactions between people and objects, small gestures happening within a larger context.

Was there a shot you knew you had as soon as you took it?

There was this shot of Slava, when everyone was leaving. She was running through the almost empty space, and she suddenly stopped and shouted while pointing at something behind me. It tells half a story and lets you figure out the rest. My favourite kind of picture.

What was your aim when capturing the show?

With the thump of the speakers in the background, I wanted to capture the quietly chaotic moments that brought the show’s energy together.

What is the Aaron Esh world to you?

Hedonism with zero responsibilities.

How would you describe the Aaron Esh spirit?

3AM in the back of a club smoking area.

Were there specific moments or details you were drawn to while shooting?

Satin, leather and suede. I love how these materials react to a hard flash giving drama to the textures.

Was there a shot you knew you had as soon as you took it?

Weirdly enough it was a shot that I took by accident. Roaming around backstage as all the models were getting ready I had my camera by my side, my finger on the trigger. My finger slipped and pressed the shutter release and captured this moment of energy that felt composed yet exciting moments before the show.

What’s your favourite photo from the show and why?

This shot of Lux’s [Gillespie] boots stomping past in rehearsals. I love the ambiguity of the image mixed with the movement of the close up, felt elegant yet robust which is what I feel this show was about.

How did you capture the atmosphere of the show?

Plenty of flash.

What is the Aaron Esh world to you?

Familiar faces.

How would you describe the Aaron Esh spirit?

Genderless.

Were there specific moments or details you were drawn to while shooting?

The soundtrack and the hair. They both felt visceral, nothing too forced. It’s a similar feeling to the way I shoot I think — instinctive.

Was there a shot you knew you had as soon as you took it?

The casting made it easy — I felt like I couldn’t go wrong for the most part, all the ones of Mateen [Ismail] and Lux [Gillespie] came naturally.

What’s your favourite photo from the show and why?

The first look, full leather.

Was there anything about the party setting you liked?

There was this collective effervescence there, like when you got a gig or house party. It’s something that can’t be contrived. There was this unison in the show you only feel when people come together for one goal.

How did you capture the atmosphere of the show?

To be honest I hadn’t shot a runway show before this, so I was just winging it.

What is the Aaron Esh world to you?

I’m not too sure yet. I certainly like it though.

How would you describe the Aaron Esh spirit?

Hedonistic.

Was there a shot you knew you had as soon as you took it?

Definitely not.

What’s your favourite photo from the show and why?

All of the photos taken by Nathaniel and Bruno are my favourites.

How did you capture the atmosphere of the show?

Alex Tang, Azamat Guirey, Brandon St Catherine helped me – we shot across multiple MiniDV’s.

What is the Aaron Esh world to you?

British, nepo-ish, great clothes.

How would you describe the Aaron Esh spirit?

It’s seductive and sullen and plain-speaking.

Were there specific moments or details you were drawn to while shooting?

The moment when we were shooting the video. I was excited to see Azamat’s footage post-show because I put him in a place where the models overlapped on screen and you got a really good sense of the show space and the people.

What is the Aaron Esh world to you?

Free and rebellious. It’s effortless and feels of the moment.

How would you describe the Aaron Esh spirit?

Flow and attitude.

What’s your favourite photo from the show and why?

I don’t really have a favourite, it’s more about the mood – the whole thing feels like the ​’90s but not in a nostalgic way. More like the energy of when fashion still had space to breathe.

Were there specific moments or details you were drawn to while shooting?

I thought the walks were really strong and focused.

Was there a shot that you knew would look good when you took it?

There was a white flowy dress that moved wonderfully.

What’s your favourite photo from the show and why?

It was actually a video I took of the opening look on Lux and then slowed down, it felt very embodied.I loved the tailored leather jackets throughout, the one on Lux imposed a posture with those high set front pockets and the exaggerated waist band.