Nadav Perlman’s In the Absence of Prophecy treads the line between sacred and sensual in a collection that seeks to find comfort in the chaos. Looking to be a societal and creative outlet for processing the global disturbances of recent years, the line is both disconcerting and cathartic.
The models prowled the runway at Le Carmen as if in a trance, many with shrouded limbs and bound mouths, alternating between nearly barefoot and impressively platformed footwear. Pieces incorporating chains, bindings, feathers, and masks were simultaneously sexual and spiritual, playing on the traditional costumes of both BDSM gear and Indian monks. Referencing the nudity of the practicing Digambara, black sheer fabric draped over the body probes the question of whether the form in and of itself is sexual, or if its exposure is an act of spirituality and worship rather than eroticism.
Following the presentation, Perlman punctuated the line’s narrative with a captivating and succinct performance. Echoing the use of hooks for both structure and aesthetic throughout the collection, the suspension performance was enacted by hanging the performer for upwards of fifteen minutes via their piercings. This combination of body modification, bondage, and literal enlightenment epitomized the tension of the collection and perfectly represented the brand for its first live performance during Paris Fashion Week. – Greer Lippert
Nadav Perlman Spring Summer 2026 at Paris Fashion Week; Photography by Richard Bord/Getty Images
