Collina Strada's Hillary Taymour reveals how her brand navigates the complex interplay of fashion, politics, and brand expansion. Learn how to leverage unique runway presentations for social commentary, diversify revenue streams through unconventional partnerships like OnlyFans, and strategically use collaborations to extend brand reach and product offerings in a challenging market.
Key takeaways
Utilize runway shows or product launches to make timely socio-political statements, driving brand relevance and media attention.
Explore unconventional platforms like OnlyFans to create direct-to-fan engagement, offering exclusive content and business insights to diversify your brand's presence and connect with a dedicated audience beyond traditional channels.
Strategically implement collaborations, such as a fine jewelry line, to extend your brand’s product categories and reach new customer segments.
Embrace a "high-low" brand strategy, pairing high-end fashion with accessible digital content or merchandise to broaden appeal and accessibility.
Leverage unique visual storytelling, like mirrored looks, to create profound messaging around societal complexities, adding depth to brand narratives.
For the latest NYFW designer episode, international fashion reporter Zofia Zwieglinska sat down with Hillary Taymour, founder and creative director of Collina Strada, to discuss her Spring-Summer 2026 collection. The collection's show featured a striking visual: Every colorful look was mirrored by a black duplicate, like a “shadow” that followed each model down the runway. The doubled styling underscored how progress, in fashion and in politics, is never free from the weight of what came before. The collection arrived as the U.S. navigates heightened scrutiny abroad following Donald Trump’s return to office in January 2025. With sweeping tariffs and immigration crackdowns, America’s cultural exports now carry a dual narrative: vibrant and innovative on the surface, but shadowed by policies that shape international perception. Collina Strada’s runway mirrored the tension, with the more colorful brand expression tempered by stark reminders of consequence. But Taymour is expanding the Collina Strada universe beyond the runway. At NYFW, she announced a new partnership with OnlyFans, debuting as a creator on the platform while introducing a limited-edition OnlyFans x Collina Strada “Level Up” T-shirt. Through her channel, she’ll give fans an inside look at her design process, plus offer business lessons, creative inspirations and everyday style, while extending NYFW coverage to OFTV. Alongside that came another first: Collina Strada’s debut fine jewelry collaboration, with Awe Inspired, featuring surreal sterling hedgehogs, molten talons and thorn-like forms, priced $225–$1,145 and made available immediately following the runway.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Utilize runway shows or product launches to make timely socio-political statements, driving brand relevance and media attention.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Explore unconventional platforms like OnlyFans to create direct-to-fan engagement, offering exclusive content and business insights to diversify your brand's presence and connect with a dedicated audience beyond traditional channels.
What does this episode say about dtc strategy?
Strategically implement collaborations, such as a fine jewelry line, to extend your brand’s product categories and reach new customer segments.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Embrace a "high-low" brand strategy, pairing high-end fashion with accessible digital content or merchandise to broaden appeal and accessibility.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
Leverage unique visual storytelling, like mirrored looks, to create profound messaging around societal complexities, adding depth to brand narratives.
