As fashion label Vaquera celebrates its tenth anniversary, designers Patric DiCaprio and Bryn Taubensee prove that rebellion can be refined without losing its edge. The Spring-Summer 2025 collection is a testament to their journey from fashion industry disruptors to purveyors of "new basics" that challenge conventional notions of wearability.
Born from a profound disenchantment with the fashion industry's status quo, Vaquera has spent a decade crafting visual manifestos that spark dialogue and push boundaries. Drawing inspiration from the poetic self-expression of 80s and 90s designers, the brand has consistently delivered extremes that rebut the very system they engage with.
The New Vaquera
For SS25, Vaquera presents a collection that maintains its founding ethos while embracing a newfound confidence. The focus on wearability doesn't dilute their intent; instead, it amplifies it. This season sees the perfection of concepts into Vaquera essentials that are both easy to wear and deeply thought-provoking.
Redefining Luxury Through a Futuristic Lens
Vaquera's SS25 collection subverts traditional luxury signifiers, viewing American sportswear through a futuristic prism. Set against stark white classical doric and ionic columns, the runway becomes a metaphor for deconstructing fashion norms.
Standout pieces include an oversized red and black striped rugby shirt-turned-coat, elevating collegiate wear to high fashion. A dramatic pair of silk pants with lace cuffs paired with a brown fur coat playfully distorts proportions, challenging conventional femininity.
The collection excels in mixing disparate elements: delicate lace pants under a metallic jacket, and an oversized white shirt with a massive patent leather corset belt. These juxtapositions of hard and soft elements, public and private, embody Vaquera's boundary-pushing ethos.
Accessories like oversized sunglasses and structural handbags complete the futuristic vision. By reimagining classic American sportswear with high-fashion silhouettes and unexpected materials, Vaquera creates a rebellious take on luxury that challenges viewers to reconsider style, status, and self-expression.
Collaborations: The Art of Subversive Partnerships
Vaquera's collaborative spirit shines through in its custom Onitsuka Tiger sneakers. The classic Mexico 66 style is transformed through hand-washing, distressing, and painting, with "LOVE" and "RAGE" emblazoned on the tongue—a perfect encapsulation of Vaquera's passionate ambivalence.
The brand's first foray into footwear pays homage to its namesake ("vaquera" means cowgirl in Spanish) with 100% leather knee-high boots and kitten-heeled pumps. These pieces seamlessly blend Western influences with contemporary design, creating footwear that's both statement-making and versatile.
Vaquera's debut sunglasses collection and collaboration with D'heygere for charm-style jewelry pieces demonstrate the brand's expanding vision. These accessories are not mere adornments but extensions of Vaquera's subversive narrative.
As Vaquera enters its second decade, the SS25 collection stands as a manifesto for the brand's evolution. It's a delicate balance of punk roots and commercial viability, proving that true rebellion in fashion lies not just in shock value, but in the ability to challenge and innovate within the system.
DiCaprio and Taubensee have masterfully crafted a collection that speaks to both long-time devotees and new admirers. Their "new basics"—from bullet-bra tops to logomania tees—are anything but basic, offering a fresh perspective on everyday wear for the discerning fashion rebel.
Vaquera's Spring-Summer 2025 collection is a manifesto for fashion's future. Marking a decade of disruption, DiCaprio and Taubensee have masterfully blended commercial appeal with avant-garde vision. Their "new basics" challenge conventional luxury, proving that true rebellion lies in redefining, not rejecting, the system. As Vaquera enters its second decade, this collection stands as a testament to the enduring power of intelligent provocation in fashion.
