Kate Moss returns as the face of Hunter for Autumn/Winter 2026, revisiting the festival look that turned its Wellington boots into a fashion icon.
Kate Moss and Hunter are joining forces once again. More than two decades after the British supermodel helped transform a pair of practical Wellington boots into one of the most memorable festival fashion statements of the 2000s, the heritage footwear brand has chosen her to front its Autumn/Winter 2026 campaign as it celebrates its 170th anniversary.
Titled “Iconic by Nature”, the campaign reconnects Hunter with one of the figures most closely associated with its transition from functional outdoor footwear to a genuine fashion phenomenon. Moss’s relationship with the label goes back years, but one particular appearance helped redefine how an entire generation viewed the classic Hunter Original Tall Wellington Boot.
The model famously wore her black waterproof boots to a festival with tiny shorts and a waistcoat, creating a look that would later become synonymous with British festival style. What began as a practical decision in response to the mud quickly became an enduring fashion reference, repeatedly revisited through photographs, mood boards and social media.
“I’ve been a loyal fan of Hunter for years, ever since the festival where I wore them with way-too-short shorts and a waistcoat,” Moss recalled. Faced with deep mud, she simply reached for her black Hunter boots. The apparently spontaneous styling decision eventually helped establish the Wellington boot as something that could exist far beyond the countryside.
For Hunter AW26, that history becomes the starting point rather than an exercise in pure nostalgia. The collection celebrates the company’s heritage while introducing technical materials and contemporary silhouettes designed to expand its identity beyond traditional rubber footwear.
In Europe, one of the key pieces is the 170th Anniversary Original Tall Wellington Boot, presented in Hunter’s earliest green colourway. Special gold hardware and a heritage badge bearing the words “Since 1856” distinguish the anniversary edition and directly reference the company’s origins.
Alongside the classic silhouette, Hunter introduces pieces including the Downpour Tall Boot and Elements Neoprene Chelsea Boot, bringing more technical constructions into the collection. Clothing also plays a larger role, with designs such as the Elements Lemhi Sonic Welded PU Puffer Jacket extending the outdoor aesthetic into a complete wardrobe.
The US and Canadian offering takes a slightly different direction. The iconic Original Tall Wellington arrives in a Black Croc finish, while the Giania Suede Tall Boot embraces one of the season’s key shades with its rich Chocolate Brown colourway. The Maribel Puffy Snow Bootie offers another interpretation of cold-weather footwear, combining practicality with a softer, more voluminous silhouette.
