Tyler McGillivary's 'Aquamarine'-Inspired Collection Is an Ode to 'Women With Bad Reputations'

Tyler McGillivary‘s Spring 2026 show tells a story of a woman with a previously bad reputation, through the lens of a mermaid, known as temptresses throughout history. Following the designer’s New York Fashion Week debut last year, “Mermaiden” is an ode to the 2006 movie “Aquamarine” — a notable cast member of the movie even closed the runway.

“This collection was inspired by my long-running history and love with mermaids,” McGillivary told Fashionista in an exclusive post-show interview. “It started with ‘Aquamarine,’ which is why tonight was so exciting for me,” says the designer, alluding to the actor Sara Paxton closing the runway show in an intricate moss-green gown with a conch shell in hand. 

To set the scene, the runway took place upon the Wavertree ship at NYC’s Pier 17, a nautical, vintage-y maritime setting gently rocking on the water. Models wore thong wedges and were topped with sailor caps. Showgoers were as head-turning as the looks on the runway, with the likes of Ella Emhoff and Veronika Slowikowska were in attendance.

The collection started with the idea of what a modern mermaid might wear to a “glamorous Coney Island boardwalk,” said the designer. That might include a denim set with shredded hems that swish like waves with each step, or a fishnet gown with a shell bra peeking through with a real puffer fish handbag in-hand — one of McGillivary’s favorite pieces from this season. “Our creative director created a real blowfish bag and I was so impressed, now I love that piece,” she shared. 

“This collection tells a story of a temptress that had a bad reputation that she turned around. In history, mermaids are rendered as negative — the idea of luring a man out to sea and drowning him in the waves,” the designer explained. “For me, this collection is about how she’s been wronged throughout history. The idea of temptress–dom and a women’s power being nothing but fully positive and fully powerful. The women in the show speak to that, each one of them is so strong and beautiful and individual. Every outfit was so catered to the model wearing it, that’s what it was all about: How can we use this theme to make women feel their best?” 

 See the full Tyler McGillivary Spring 2026 collection below.

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