For N°21, It’s All About Layering
From the very first look, N°21’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection held our full attention: Alessandro Dell’Acqua included pieces from the menswear line, showing how seamlessly the two collections complement each other. Far from a minor detail, it underscored the seamless dialogue between his men’s and women’s collections, unmistakably personal and instantly recognisable. The move perfectly reflected the vision behind the show—the aesthetics of layering, almost obsessive, which lies at the heart of the designer’s signature style. As he explained, “As I often do, I mixed and fused genres and references. That’s why I wanted to include part of the menswear collection on the runway too. The result is a reinterpretation of classical forms, from the slip dresses I often layer to the fearless use of chiffon. Not to mention the innovation I explored in a stiff plissé created on duchess fabric.” While the rigidity of the red duchess skirt may be deceptive, likewise are the feathers adorning hems and flounces—these are actually chiffon petals. Highlights of the collection include a pleated skirt in gold-laminated polyester and a linen anorak shaped like a cape. Equally noteworthy are the sky-blue men’s shirts, lending a strict elegance to a polka-dot coat, a recurring pattern throughout the show. Among the audience were Levante, Cecilia Rodriguez, Simone Guidarelli, Paolo Stella, and Rosa Perrotta.
Text: Giuliano Deidda
Photos: Alessio Ammannati
