San Antonio designer Dan Williams meets with fans at his fashion show in Southtown on Friday. Credit: Lilliana Flores / Portra Studios

San Antonio fashion designer Dan Williams unveiled his Fall/Winter 2026 collection, featuring Victorian silhouettes and Gothic Catholic adornments, at Southtown’s Arsenal Church last Friday.

The independently produced fashion show was the eighth of Williams’ career. Much of his previous work has been featured in San Antonio’s runway and editorial fashion scene, including pieces showcased at the 2026 San Antonio Mayoral Ball during DreamWeek.

Williams told the Current that his latest collection, “La Image de Soi,” was intended to reconnect him with his artistic roots while encouraging self-reflection at a turning point in his career.

“The process is the most important part,” Williams said. “I always relay everything back to my life — what I’m going through — and put that into the work.”

A model shows off Dan Williams’ latest designs during a fashion show in Southtown on Friday. Credit: Lilliana Flores / Portra Studios

Williams, who markets his fashions under the brand name Dannostudios, ​said his creative approach has been shaped by his affinity for collecting vintage clothing. Archival-inspired designs and corsetry are recurring elements of the brand.

For this latest collection, Williams said he looked to his favorite designers. Avant-garde designers Alexander McQueen and Jean Paul Gaultier have long been his primary inspirations, thanks to their unconventional approaches to luxury fashion.

“They both are very emotional and unconventional designers. They resonated a lot with me, and so I put that into my process as well,” Williams said. “When I approach a collection, I kind of go based on what’s been going on in the past six months of my life, mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally.”

Crocodile-textured material used in dark vests and jackets reveals Gaultier’s influence on Williams’ work. The pattern remains a classic, recently appearing on Kim Kardashian, who wore an archival 2004 crocodile Hermès jacket designed by Gaultier on the same day as Williams’ show.

Audience members clap during Dan Williams’ show on Friday. Credit: Lilliana Flores / Portra Studios

Dark lace and rosaries also embellished Williams’ pieces, displaying his prevailing inspiration from Catholicism. He attributed much of this devotional influence to his multicultural upbringing and experiences living in the city.

“The Latin culture here in San Antonio never ceases to inspire me,” Williams said. “It always is inspiring, but even the Catholic Church inspires me. My parents are Christian and Catholic, so that is something that plays a huge, huge part in everything.”

At this stage of his career, Williams is focused on finding balance in his creative process. His more deliberate approach to design made this collection feel distinctive and signaled his readiness to work on a larger scale.

“In Catholicism, No. 8 means completion,” Williams said. “I feel like this was like a completion and a chapter closed of what I’ve gone through before. Now it’s a door opening for me to further grow and excel.”

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