Dunhill's 2026 Spring Summer campaign expresses the collection through visuals that capture the tension created by the dual nature of British dress codes: their refined elegance and the rebellious freedom with which they are casually subverted.
The campaign draws inspiration from two lineages—the sophisticated refinement symbolized by British nobility and the influence they have exerted on British rock icons: a loose, refined spirit of rebellion accompanied by grace. This brings quiet confidence and certainty to the entire collection. A series of sun-lit visuals embodies a worldview where restraint and attitude coexist. Centered on the collection by Creative Director Simon Holloway, it interprets British elegance with a clear and sharpened perspective.
Photography is handled by Ethan James Green, featuring Orpheo Tagiuri, John Paul Phillips, and Adam Sattrap. A classic and concise spatial direction allows craftsmanship, proportion, and material textures to be conveyed without interference from excessive staging.
Tailoring forms the axis of the narrative. A stone-colored high-twist linen suit paired with a cotton silk Bengal stripe shirt and bold striped tie captures the central dialogue of the collection: wearing formality with natural ease. Referencing both the garments worn by King Charles and the effortless presence of Charlie Watts, a pale gray trench coat is casually draped over the tailoring. This coat is tailored in traditional Italian linen and derived from the House's archive, inspired by early motoring wear from the late 1890s.
Similar duality is seen in the reinterpretation of a driving jacket originating from Dunhill's archive. Originally crafted in toffee-colored sheep leather over 120 years ago, this style re-emerges in modern times as a British khaki suede jacket. With a lightweight construction devoid of lining, it offers a contemporary wearing experience.
The Bowdon suit, using house navy wide pinstripe wool woven in Huddersfield, embodies the orthodoxy of British tailoring. Full canvas construction, half-lining specification, and Savile Row-derived roped shoulders are adjusted into an expression suited for summer.
In shirting, a cotton linen mix stripe shirt paired with a silk tie presents a classic summer look. The color palette expands into pale tones such as lavender, rose, and indigo, bringing restrained vibrancy throughout.
In outerwear, contrasts in material and construction stand out. A dark brown French lambskin bomber jacket is lightweight and unlined, coordinated with a Cavendish jacket in a wool silk glencheck seersucker developed jointly with an Italian fabric mill. Tailored and casual naturally intersect.
In evening wear too, the balance of elegance and lightness is maintained. Lightweight merino wool in midnight navy hopsack woven in Somerset combines breathability and structure. A double-breasted jacket with contrasting lapels is paired with an archive-inspired voile evening shirt, bow tie and pocket square hand-printed in Macclesfield, and double-pleated trousers edged with wool silk grosgrain.
A more bucolic summer mood emerges in pale lavender and washed pink high-twist linen tailoring. A look of a double-breasted blazer, striped shirt, and pleated trousers lightly layered and finished with calf leather slippers befits summer social occasions such as Wimbledon and garden parties.
Dunhill's Art Deco-era motifs are reinterpreted as an evening jacket inspired by robes. Using wool silk houndstooth material, it is combined with wool pleated evening trousers.
In addition to pocket squares and bow ties, accessories such as cigar cases and turbo lighters once again emphasize the relationship with precisely designed objects that have been passed down for over 130 years.
In leather goods, the "Alfred" collection, symbolizing Dunhill's leather architecture, has a central presence. Using hand-burnished patina-finished calf leather, color tones are layered by hand on each piece, creating a delicate two-tone expression that deepens in richness over time.
The Alfred briefcase features a softly tailored silhouette and engineered hardware with key motifs such as slider locks inspired by the Unique and Roller gas lighters. Expanding across the Century, Bowdon, Duke, and Despatch families, Alfred embodies Dunhill's philosophy: "It must be practical. It must work reliably. It must be beautiful. And it must be made to last."
The 2026 Spring Summer campaign presents light movement and a wardrobe conceived for the real lives of modern gentlemen. It depicts a new image of masculinity that embraces elegance without pretense, from morning appointments to late summer evenings.
Formality is relaxed, and classics are elevated to refinement.
