Libertine Fall 2025

Johnson Hartig’s fall collection came full circle—literally—when he unearthed watercolor sketches he had stashed away two decades ago, originally inspired by Sonia Delaunay. In a moment of cosmic coincidence, Delaunay is currently enjoying renewed attention, with exhibitions at Bard and the Guggenheim—though Hartig only realized the connection after committing to the theme. His vibrant, expressionist prints adorned jackets trimmed with candy-colored marabou, glittering crystal embellishments, and a knockout pair of Larroudé boots. The designs even translated into grayscale knit separates, proving that Libertine’s signature maximalism can take on many forms.

Orphism, as poet Guillaume Apollinaire described it, should create “untroubled aesthetic pleasure”—a fitting mantra for Hartig, who remains steadfast in his belief that beauty is a form of resistance. His California Sunset print, a fiery yellow-to-orange ombré, injected optimism into the lineup, while an opulently sequined Victorian-inspired coat proved that embellishment can be anything but somber. A rose tapestry coat, cheekily named Lizzie Bennet, nodded to Hartig’s enduring love for literature (his latest Schumacher wallpaper collection, after all, was titled Mr. Darcy).

Though Libertine is approaching its 25th anniversary, Hartig still sees it as a bit of an industry outsider—a proudly independent, West Coast-based brand that has remained “profitable since day one, and never a dollar of investment.” There’s no pretense of reinventing the wheel here, just beautifully crafted, made-in-America clothes that radiate joy. And really, what’s not to love?