Edeline Lee Launches Book, Looking at 15 Years as an Indie Designer

Edeline Lee loves a luxury hotel but, then again, who doesn’t? The designer, who has staged past events at The Dorchester, picked The Peninsula London, once again, to show her fall 2026 collection, although it was more book launch than a runway outing.

“I know that you have all come here this morning expecting a catwalk show, but I hope you will enjoy a little conceit today,” the designer said during a coffee reception at the hotel’s rooftop lounge, with views over Hyde Park.

“I would like to welcome you to a book launch to celebrate 15 years of Edeline Lee. The last few months have been a time of deep reflection, both for me and the entire team while we produced this book. One thing I hope that this book will demonstrate is just how many hands and minds have contributed to our journey,” she added.

The doorstopper of a book — it’s 400 pages — was edited by Nancy Durrant, the British culture journalist and broadcaster. It takes in Lee’s graduation collection from Central Saint Martins, her evolution, special projects and a tribute to the team. In a few weeks the book will get even longer when she sends out an insert with images from the fall 2026 collection, which can be slipped inside.

After handing out copies of the limited-edition book to guests, the designer mingled with the crowd and brought out a few models wearing her fall designs, which included pleated crepe skirts in lemon yellow, burnt orange and cobalt, a lineup of trousers, and structured dresses with panniers, peplums and thick fringe that resembled thick strands of bucatini pasta.

A sleeveless sequin gown with a hoop skirt added drama, as did a suit that had a pleated skirt and New Look flair.

“The book made me look backward at the progression of my ideas, so there’s some circular cutting, but I also wanted to play with 3D shapes as well,” said Lee, adding that trousers were also a big story this season. “They’re a growing category for us, and they’re for everyone. You don’t have to be a size 4 to wear them,” she said.