Founded in 2013 by a quartet of friends from New York, womenswear brand Vaquera has since evolved into a duo led by Patric DiCaprio and Bryn Taubensee. The designers describe their aesthetic as “fashion fan fiction” and partnered with Dover Street Market in 2020.

For Fall/Winter 2022, Vaquera debuted at Paris Fashion Week, presenting a romantic affair embellished with whimsical motifs, along with an exclusive collaboration with Vans. Now, the brand is back on her PFW agenda with the SS23 collection. With an androgynous perspective in mind, the models stormed the halls of DSM’s Paris estate.

Vaquera’s detectable rugged charm arrived with clear cues from Caribbean pirates, angular boat hats wearing cascading bows. These were paired with acid-washed (actually soy-stained) cropped denim jackets, loose knee-length skirts, and metal corsets. A fluffy teddy bear was swaying from side to side. A satin set with rough edges, accessorized with a dangling chain and pearl belt, stands next to a voluminous dress accented with jumbo-sized lapels, ruffles, and a center bow. Her jackets, bras, bags and whips with leather ties further eliminated her bohemian attitude.

At the same time, the duo celebrated their hometown through rebellious American flag dresses made from flags looted by friends on Long Island’s South Shore. She recreated an ensemble similar to that seen in her debut film, with a distressed wedding dress over some pink tights.

Vaquera SS23 unveils the brand we know and love. They’d like to tread more commercial routes, but with this collection, they’ve found themselves at their best while staying true to DiCaprio and Taubensee’s relentless design energy.

See Vaquera’s SS23 collection above and find more Paris Fashion Week SS23 content on Hypebeast.