Inspired by San Francisco, the mecca of hippie culture, Liberators’ Fall/Winter 2026 collection is now underway.

Under the banner of “Destination Unknown,” director Mei Yong sets the places she has traveled to as the theme for each season.Liberaiders.. Precisely because we live in such chaotic times, I believe it’s important to set out on a journey of my own to gain a deeper understanding of the world.

The theme of the Fall/Winter '26 collection is San Francisco, the mecca of hippie culture. To mark the season's launch, we asked Mei to share her thoughts on this season's collection.

—Could you tell us what inspired you to choose San Francisco as this season’s theme?

I’ve been deeply influenced by West Coast music, surfing, and skateboarding, and I’ve been traveling to California every year since the ’90s. In Japan, people tend to focus solely on Los Angeles, but to me, San Francisco was a special city where culture and history truly came alive. As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to understand the city’s background and culture. I’ve delved into the hippie culture—a whirlwind of freedom, anti-war sentiment, love, and creativity—and have found myself wanting to reexamine the “power of believing in peace” that the young people of that era demonstrated. I believe that, in this chaotic world, creating opportunities to envision the future through the lens of past cultures is the very reason for our brand’s existence.

—Please tell us about your connection to San Francisco.

Of course, it’s known for its history as a mecca for the anti-war movement and hippie culture, but I’m particularly struck by its reputation as the home of the San Francisco Sound. The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, the Doobie Brothers… the list goes on and on. Rock music is an indispensable element for both me and the brand.

It had been 12 or 13 years since I’d last visited, back when I attended a friend’s wedding. Walking through the city again, I was struck by the sense of freedom I saw in the people skating down those countless hills and running on the track. High-tech industries sit right next to historic streetscapes, and the old and new coexist naturally. With that unique atmosphere, I think it’s a truly charming city.

—What makes San Francisco appealing from a fashion perspective?

With cultural hubs like Haight-Ashbury, the people who gather at skate shops and vintage stores—whether they’re hippies or skaters—each naturally enjoy their own style and have a chic sense of fashion. San Francisco is expensive, and not many people own large homes. But I feel like it’s precisely in cities like this where more people try to express themselves through fashion and lifestyle. I’m drawn to that atmosphere of natural self-expression.

—Finally, could you tell us what you value most when managing the brand?

I experienced the dawn of street culture firsthand, and I’ve been in this industry for over 30 years now. But even today, I still want to do something fresh, and I want to keep bringing a breath of fresh air to the brand. By blending different elements—such as vintage and high-tech, streetwear and outdoor wear—we aim to pursue our own original style, rather than simply emulating others.

There was a time when I made products by following trends, but that wasn’t fun at all. I also wonder if we can truly call something “culture” when it’s consumed in such a short cycle. That’s why I now prioritize making only the things I genuinely want to wear. In fact, there were even some samples this time that I didn’t include in the exhibition—I only kept pieces in the collection that I was fully satisfied with. Now that I’m this age, I’ve come to realize anew the importance of enjoying the present rather than worrying too much about the future. I’m grateful to be in an environment where I can turn what I love into my work, and I pour that gratitude into every piece I create.

Here is the lineup for the first drop of *Liberators*’ Fall/Winter 2026 collection.

DEAD ROSE THROW BLANKET ¥16,500

This large-sized throw features a bold jacquard weave design paying homage to the Grateful Dead—a band that symbolized San Francisco’s counterculture of the 1960s—and the city’s landmark, the Golden Gate Bridge. The skillful weaving of multiple colored threads creates a richly textured finish. It’s perfect not only as a lap blanket but also as an accent piece for your interior—whether in your car, on the sofa, or as a rug.

DEAD ROSE TEE ¥9,350

A T-shirt featuring a cracked print of the graphic shown above. The skeleton and rose depicted in the center are motifs that symbolize the band, representing a musical style that continues to evolve freely while embodying life and death, as well as endings and cycles.

DEAD ROSE TIE-DYE T-SHIRT ¥13,200

This piece features the graphics mentioned above printed on a tie-dye background reminiscent of hippie culture. The body is made from a slightly thinner 5.6 oz. fabric, giving it a texture closer to vintage clothing from that era.

CHINATOWN TEE ¥8,800

This T-shirt draws inspiration from the Chinese restaurants and neon signs found in San Francisco’s Chinatown. It combines American-style takeout boxes, hand-drawn-style typography, and Eastern-inspired dragon motifs to capture the unique atmosphere created by the blend of 1990s West Coast immigrant culture and underground culture.

OG LOGO TEE ¥7,700

This piece features a graphic design with a fire pattern incorporated into the OG logo. The entire garment has undergone a "frost" finish—a process that involves brushing the fabric and fading the color—resulting in a soft-to-the-touch, vintage-inspired look.

FURTHER BUS TEE ¥8,800

This T-shirt features the “FURTHER,” a rainbow-painted bus that the Merry Pranksters—a hippie collective led by author Ken Kesey—rode across the United States while advocating for freedom and peace. “GO FURTHER” is a catchphrase that symbolizes their determination to move toward the future.

MAW PHOTO TEE ¥9,350

A T-shirt featuring a print of an aerial photograph of the Golden Gate Bridge—a San Francisco landmark—transformed into a geometric work of art. Features a one-wash finish.

HAIGHT STREET TEE ¥ 7,700

This piece is inspired by Hate Street, known since the late 1960s as a hub of youth culture, rock music, and the counterculture.

2-PACK POCKET TEE ¥8,800

A two-pack of T-shirts made from 6.5 oz. combed-cotton jersey. They look great worn on their own or as an undershirt. The left hem features a subtle OG logo print, and there’s a pocket on the chest. By the way, I hear they also offer a version of this T-shirt without the pocket.

The first drop of the Fall/Winter 2026 collection we introduced will be available on Friday, August 21. Stay tuned for future drops from this season’s San Francisco-themed collection.