Dark Coquette Summer Collection
Markarian’s 2026 resort collection plays a dark romantic twist on a summer vacation, framing hyper-femininity through a lens of melancholy, restraint, and aesthetic tension.
Red ribbon soft velvet flowy babydoll mini dress piece in Markarian’s 2026 Resort wear collection. Available via Markarian. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended
When visualising the concept of the dark coquette, it has always been profound, blending alluring and mysterious tones with hyper-feminine, flirty, dainty, and vintage-inspired charm within the aesthetic. Think Lana Del Rey’s "Did You Know There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd" and "Ultraviolence" albums’ imagery and era, which sets a moody and mysterious essence, filtered through a playful feminine touch found in clothing, hair, and accessories that defines what dark coquette is. This trend is destined to be the "black swan" among the white swans of coquette—still dainty and flirtatious, yet dark and desirably regal in a classical sense. It invites a dramatic and emotional twist on the romantic trend. Whether you mingle with one or both aesthetics, Markarian’s 2026 resort collection pays homage to this elegance trend, whilst reframing dark coquette into the needs of a sun-kissed vacation setting, where mysterious and romantic meets a playful twist.
Black mixture of navy highlights, floral, dainty, silky silhouette midi length dress paired with long subtle ribbon sleeves piece (left), the same visual fabric constructed into a flowy oversized jumpsuit, fitted on the torso piece (right) in Markarian’s 2026 Resort wear collection. Available via Markarian. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended
Alexandra O’Neill’s selection for resort revives a wispy yet demure collection of party cocktail vacation dresses. It leans toward the warmer side of signature vacation holiday wear with sequins, floral, sheer and dainty fabrics paired with metallic silver crocodile-print court heels, all bound together that create a delicate but statement resort line. O’Neill is no stranger to predicting patterns and florals in 2026, as seen throughout her pieces; she showcases many of the same (or somewhat similar and altered) floral designs, each uniquely constructed within their respective sets.
A perfect example of this is demonstrated with the dark floral fabric O’Neill used to construct a midi-length ribbon dress and an oversized bottom fitted jumpsuit. Both pieces have connotations, but also exhibit similarity and simplicity due to the fabric, proving that a single pattern can be endlessly reimagined through various garment structures; you can wear your favourite patterns through endless variations of piece structures in Markarian’s line. Noteworthy that jumpsuit also targets a more lightweight wear for a resort, O’Neill embraces both style and comfort in a resort. Whether it’s a beachside party or a garden event, or even relaxing on the balcony, Markarian has crafted ideal garments that balance motion and lightness, allowing elegance and comfort to occur flawlessly, venturing in any summer setting, no matter the warm occasion. We have seen many innovations in fabrics, but it seems accessories and jewellery remain blank to this line.
Jewellery plays a subtle and minimalistic role in O’Neill’s resort collection, as many pieces are paired with small, dainty, drooping earrings. Necklaces, bracelets and bags are notably absent and remain bare, giving the opportunity to centre the focus on the showcased garments. Fabric speaks louder than any decoration. Vogue was able to discuss O’Neill’s thought process and concept throughout the line…
Pastel blue dotted sequin fringed figure-hugging mini dress piece (left), lime green peplum flow styled midi layered length dress with delicate pattern blouse buttoned piece (right) in Markarian’s 2026 Resort wear collection. Available via Markarian. © All rights belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended
According to Vogue, O’Neill was inspired by this year’s collection through the drama television Apple TV+ series Palm Royale, as she shares the show is “totally ridiculous but so good”; the show’s retro glamour influenced the warmth and quirky touches in Markarian’s resort collection such as the pastel blue shimmer-sequinned dresses — a fun, flirty-toned ensemble that looks like it belongs in Maxine Dellacorte-Simmons' closet. Markarian’s 2026 resort collection brings a love letter to femininity with a tint of dark and funky, yet with a totally appropriate flair to the vacation look. The collection doesn’t nod to dark coquette only, but to a sun-soaked, flirtatious and not-so-shy edge to it. It’s dreamy —an elegant vacation wardrobe that speaks to every kind of modern romanticism.
