Deliquesce was the title of Bianca Spender's Resort 2026 collection. "It's about the idea of dissolving old pain and letting go," Bianca told us backstage before the show. "It's such an incredible privilege to make beautiful things and see it all come together in a show." The collection was a quiet catharsis, filled with organza pieces that flowed with an ease and gracefulness. We spoke to Bianca before the show to talk Deliquesce and this chapter of her brand:

What was inspiring you when you were designing this collection?

For me, this collection was influenced by a sense of letting go and total abandon. I was thinking about plunging into water, feet first. You are completely absorbed by its force and there are moments of being pushed, pulled, tugged, and suspended by the current. The water pulls away what you no longer need and there’s a moment of catharsis in rising to the surface.

What made the leap from the mood board into the collection?

This season’s mood board is one of my favourites to date. It is filled with incredible photography and stills from underwater video clips. I was particularly inspired by music videos from Beyoncé and Portishead that were captured underwater and photography by Australian Artists, Tamara Dean and Trent Parke. I also dove into vintage issues of Vogue Italia, immersing myself in the work of Patrick Demarchelier, depicting tension, enveloping and release through his world of movement. I wanted to capture this through design, and started with these fluid, looped drapes that circle back on themselves – this really was the impetus for the evolution of the collection.

What emotions and thoughts from you are imbued in these pieces?

Letting go. Surrender. Abandon.

How is the DNA of your brand evolving?

There’s always an imbued sense of liquidity, sculpture, and ease in my pieces. However, in recent seasons my design process has been steeped in evoking emotion. For me, this has been transformative and has instilled a toughness, tension and freedom within the pieces and visual representation of the brand.

How does repurpose and renewal apply to your work?

Existing resources are the origin of each collection. I start with a curation of deadstock fabrics as the anchor and let the palette and textures build from here. Each range is an evolution of the last, with longevity and timelessness in mind.

Who would you love to see wearing this collection? Which look would they be wearing?

When I think about a muse, I can never pinpoint one woman. For me, I design pieces that resonate and connect with all women, echoing their innate individuality. I am always touched to hear how my pieces make women feel, it’s an incredible driving force for me as a designer.

Which piece would you hope to be the ultimate collector’s item?

It would have to be the black metal and organza dress. Capturing the mood of the collection and emotional tone through textural conflict, drape that pushes and pulls. Delicate organza becomes sculptural and there’s interplay between weight and lightness.

There are brilliant people to collaborate with Australia. Who has been part of your world this season?

You are so right! Australia is bursting with incredible creativity and innovation. Bringing a show to life is incredibly involved. I’ve always been drawn to collaborators who are best aligned with the vision of the Bianca Spender brand and who capture the collections creative spirit. This season we worked with Jessica Dos Remedios across the styling vision. I was drawn to how Jess merges edge with beauty in quite an unexpected way. Gary James Sinclar directed the soundscape for the runway, taking guests on a tidal journey before breaking through to total levity. There are so many incredible creative collaborators who bring the vision to life, each one has really come on this journey this season.

What’s important to you aside from fashion? How would you like to use your platform?

For me, the Bianca Spender brand has women at the absolute core. Telling women’s stories, highlighting their individuality, and encouraging them to shine is what it’s all about.

What is the soundtrack to this collection?

The soundscape for this collection was designed by Gary James Sinclair – a longtime collaborator of the brand. Gary came on the journey of capturing that surrender to the current. There’s this amazing build of beat into enveloping vocals by Portishead before the lightness of strings deliver the final note.

What’s next?

I’m so immersed in this world, and for me, what’s next is continuing to hone my craft, express my creative vision and some much-needed downtime with my family!

biancaspender.com