Umit Benan Unveils Flagship Store and Womenswear Collection for Spring 2026

Umit Benan has made a triumphant return to Via Bigli, not only with a new address but also with a significant milestone for his brand. Spring 2026 marks a pivotal moment for the designer, as he opens his flagship store and officially launches his womenswear line. “It’s destiny,” Benan remarked with a smile. “I had my first home here in 2005. In 2010, I presented a project with Nino Cerruti in this very same building.” Now with the support of D Capital and the recent arrival of his newborn son, Benan has come full circle both personally and professionally.

Speaking about the new womenswear collection, Benan emphasized that it is meant to stand on its own. “It’s not about being the wife of our male customer, but rather a woman with her own distinct character,” he explained. The designer drew inspiration from a surfer living in Biarritz, whose lifestyle and spirit influenced the new womenswear pieces. “I documented her life for months,” Benan shared. The collection features silk robes, fluid pants, terry cloth sets, bathing suits, and nylon raincoats, all reflecting the easygoing essence of island living. “Think of it as a cinematic interpretation of Point Break,” Benan added.

The menswear line has also evolved alongside the womenswear, with a focus on fits inspired by the new women’s collection and Japanese denim. “I wanted our jeans to exude the ruggedness of Kevin Costner in Yellowstone rather than a typical runway look,” Benan explained. The collection showcases cropped jackets, elastic-free piqué knits in treated silk, and a cohesive color palette centered around anthracite gray. Additionally, a new resortwear capsule named “Paradiso” introduces year-round pieces in faded tones such as banana yellow, powder pink, and baby blue. “Paradiso is where I lived in Lugano. It’s also my favorite word in Italian,” Benan shared, revealing a tattoo on his arm.

The newly opened flagship store, located just a few steps from the showroom, reflects the fusion of memory and design that defines Benan’s aesthetic. Designed in collaboration with architect Martin Brûlé, the space draws inspiration from the designer’s childhood memories of visiting his mother’s multi-brand shop in Istanbul and his father’s fabric-sourcing trips. “It had to feel lived-in,” Benan emphasized. The store features mahogany wood accents, sand-toned carpets, and artworks curated by gallerist Thaddaeus Ropac, creating a layered identity that mirrors the essence of the clothing. “What you see here is everything I absorbed between the ages of eight and 13,” Benan reflected. “It’s my first real memory of fashion.”