RIO Presents A Poem & A Protest II at Jean’s
Fall/Winter 2026
At Jean’s, RIO didn’t just present a collection. It made a statement. For Fall/Winter 2026, A Poem & A Protest II returned as a continuation of a story first introduced last season, but this time, it felt louder. Sharper. More urgent. The collection leaned fully into duality: softness and resistance, glamour and grit, poetry and protest existing in the same breath. The signature plaids were back, expanded and intensified in winter palettes that felt grounded yet bold. Pleated minis met metallic bikini tops. Draped separates were layered under structured outerwear. Reflective textiles caught every flash in the room, turning movement into spectacle. It wasn’t just about shine; it was about visibility.
Protection became part of the design language. Quilted constructions, sculptural puffer shoulders, trapper hats, and structured coats felt intentional, engineered for the realities of the urban landscape. Backpacks and sport-driven finishes reinforced function without sacrificing edge. These pieces read like wearable armor: resilient enough for protest, expressive enough for celebration.
The styling carried cultural weight. ACLU “ICE OUT” pins appeared on select looks, subtle but direct. Traditional stone and obsidian necklaces rooted in Mexican heritage were layered against tailored two-piece sets and sharp silhouettes. It was heritage meeting modern defiance. Identity is worn unapologetically.
Presented as a live runway performance, the energy inside Jean’s felt electric. Dominican musical artists Planta Industrial blurred the line between concert and catwalk. Models and moshers moved together, no separation, no hierarchy. Just community. Just presence. Just power.
What RIO understands, and what this collection made clear, is that identity is never singular. It is layered. It is complex. It is tender and confrontational at the same time.
A Poem & A Protest II isn’t just about getting dressed. It’s about standing for something. And doing it boldly.
Photo Credits: Jonathan Grassi