Designer Dušan Paunovic presented his fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection, staying true to his signature style of monochromatic, button-free garments. Known for his aversion to color, skirts, and trends, Paunovic emphasized practical yet luxurious pieces made from high-quality fabrics. The lineup features subtle expansions in palette while maintaining an elusive, sophisticated aesthetic.
Dušan Paunovic, a fiercely independent and self-funded designer, showcased his fall 2026 ready-to-wear collection, adhering to his particular habits. He avoids color, skirts, and buttons entirely, stating, “Buttons? No. They destroy every design.” Terms like “bodycon,” “sexy,” and “trendy” elicit discomfort from him, and he sources only the finest fabrics, including compact Scottish cashmere, which he prefers over fluffier Italian varieties. “But the Italians are master colorists. In Scotland they haven’t updated the color palette in centuries,” Paunovic noted. His mentor, Zoran, influenced his uncompromising approach.
Gray remains Paunovic’s favorite color, as he explained, “I like it because it’s sad,” evoking memories of communist-era Serbian uniforms from his youth. For this season, the palette cautiously expanded to include nearly invisible shades of moss green and brown, resembling winter tundra—distinct yet spiritually gray. He rejects labels for his style, dismissing “minimal,” “purist,” or “essential” as inadequate. Instead, it is practical but not basic, unfussy yet sophisticated, and luxurious but discreet.
Paunovic has refined the same core pieces over years, varying fabrics, hues, textures, and details. Highlights include a cashmere trench with side slits, a duster lined in rustling taffeta, a loose parka in fine Tasmanian wool, and a roomy ribbed jumper with a shawl collar. The only skirt tolerated is a sarong-style wrap of rectangular fabric. Cashmere denim appears in an inconspicuous blue shade. Daywear pieces can shift to silk, velvet, or liquid satin for versatility. “To go to La Scala, you just have to add a diamond brooch and that’s it,” he said. These garments are designed for longevity, never discarded but inherited, ensuring an eternally chic wardrobe presence.
