Spring equinox is here and with it the 2026 collection from MercuRea: The New Academia!
Why the name, you may think? Because when I thought of this collection, I wanted to recreate the original Academia collection, as it was impossible to find the same fabric again, I settled for paying homage to it, and expanding it at the same time to something more versatile.
The New Academia is inspired by dark academia, the cut is distinctly 1940s, and at the same time the fabric choice makes it reminisce from the 70s too; all in all is the perfect collection either for scholarly lolita coordinates, for vintage fashion lovers, and for frolicking hobbits alike!
The New Academia skirt modeled by MercuRea / The New Academia trousers modeled by MercuRea with sweater by Mezzo Studio
New Academia Skirt
The new Academia skirt is an A-line wrap design, with a hook in one end of it and buttons on the other, which makes it easy and comfortable to wear; and versatile too, because with such simple closing it can be made larger or smaller in size just by moving the button position. The elastic is located in both sides of the waistband, which gives a more flattering shape than with back shirring. It´s made in 100% cotton twill deadstock, bought from a business that was closing down, so it´s unlikely that there exist many other clothing pieces with this fabric!
Find all information and measurements about the New Academia skirt here
New Academia trousers
The trousers on this collection are made of the same 100% cotton twill, the pattern is a clasical 1940s men´s straight line trousers but adapted for women with ¨big behinds¨as I myself am. They´re super comfortable, it also has the shirring on the sides of the waistband so that it gives a crisp nice butt shape, and the cinchers band on both sides of the front closing are there not only for aesthetical purposes but also to make it slightly smaller if necessary. Plus: They have giant pockets! Notice though that the ones in the pictures I adapted the length to my personal tastes, and the production ones are regular length
Find all information and measurements about the New Academia trousers here
A personal note: So far this is the collection that I wear the most of all I made through the years; I never thought I´d be able to find or make a pattern for trousers that I´d love to wear and feel fabulous in, but this is the one definitely! I´ve been wearing them since last July when I made the prototypes and they´re still as if they were new, only problem is…they wrinkle like crazy! But if that´s the price to pay for using all natural fabrics instead of polyester, so be it welcome!
Now, this hobbit says: Farewell and see you around!
