The Berlin-based brand DAGGER has officially revealed its Fall/Winter 2026 collection during the Intervention showcase at Berlin Fashion Week. Titled “Play Hard,” this collection serves as a homage to the designer’s formative years in Portrush, a working-class seaside town in Northern Ireland. This collection stands as a tribute to the narratives of beginnings, endings, and everything in between. Backstage moments captured by photographer Shin Jeong Hoon further amplify the collection’s spirit, showcasing the collaborative energy that drives the brand forward.
INTERVENTION is curated by Mumi Haiati and supported by the Senate Department for Economic Affairs, Energy and Public Enterprises as part of the official Berlin Fashion Week calendar.
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All photos by Shin Jeong Hoon
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“Play Hard” captures the essence of growing up surrounded by the echoes of empty arcades, the chill of coastal winds, and fleeting moments of joy found in skateboarding culture. It reflects on personal memories shaped by resilience, freedom, and creativity in an environment where opportunities were scarce. The collection embraces an aesthetic that values imperfection, emphasising the beauty found in fragility and the strength derived from community.
The influence of familiar brands is evident throughout the collection, notably the inclusion of VANS. Signature styles, particularly the beloved Authentic and Slip-ons, are hand-customised for each model. The Eastpak Pack’r backpack also features prominently, recreated from a cherished personal object adorned with drawings from the designer’s grandmother, symbolising youth, survival, and belonging.
DAGGER, founded in 2020 by Luke Rainey, derives its name from a ceremonial blade representing transformation. The brand emerged from Rainey’s own life experiences, notably following an unexpected job loss that challenged him to pursue his dreams with determination. The brand’s slogan, “All the Best,” is a poignant reminder of a dismissal letter that ultimately sparked creative inspiration.
DAGGER’s aesthetic embodies the rebellious spirit of Rainey’s teenage years in Northern Ireland during the early 2000s, marked by the raw energy of a DIY culture. The designs readily reflect the tactile essence of scraped knees, cracked pavement, and midnight adventures, resulting in garments that honour both life’s struggles and its beauty.
