Ernest W. Baker prepares for first official Paris Fashion Week runway

Fashion Network

19 hours ago

Could Ernest W. Baker be heading for the Paris runway spotlight? The Portuguese-American label, known for its refined gender-fluid aesthetic, is poised to join the official Paris Fashion Week schedule in January 2026. While co-founder Inês Amorim didn't confirm the news outright, she didn't deny it either. Speaking from the brand's Porto atelier near Estádio do Dragão, Amorim suggested that confirmation is only a matter of time. One thing is certain: the duo is preparing a bold entrance for the upcoming season.
'Our focus is always Paris,' said Inês Amorim during the unveiling of the brand's latest collection at Portugal Fashion Experience, held on the evening of July 3 inside the Porto atelier she shares with co-designer Reid Baker. The Portuguese-American duo helms Ernest W. Baker, a label known for its tailored silhouettes and nostalgic edge.
'Milan isn't currently in our plans. We've shown in Paris every season. We've rented a showroom and, in principle, we'll return in January—possibly with a runway show as part of the official Paris Fashion Week schedule,' Amorim told FashionNetwork.com, offering no further details.
Backed by Portugal Fashion, the brand recently returned from Paris after presenting its latest collection at a showroom on Rue Béranger, near Place de la République. Now back in Porto, they've left several key looks behind in the French capital—perhaps a quiet sign of what's to come, as Amorim hinted.
Though Ernest W. Baker is already listed on the official digital calendar at Paris Fashion Week—with the spring-summer 2026 collection showcased both online and in person—their real ambition is to step onto the physical runway. That goal remains firm, despite the duo's earlier move away from traditional catwalk formats.
'This season, we wanted to explore visual contrasts—mixing rose with cheetah print,' said Amorim. 'The cheetah print is a new addition.' True to form, the brand continues to embrace its signature androgynous aesthetic, with every piece made entirely in Portugal.
Amorim also pointed to other material pairings across the collection—canvas with suede, fabric with leather, and a dialogue between dense wool and fluid satin. 'We enjoy working with opposing textures and ideas,' she said.
In terms of color, black and white remain a consistent foundation, while each season introduces a new accent tone. 'This time it was green,' Amorim explained. 'But we always return to red—it's romantic, it cuts through neutrals, and we never forget it.'