Celine Spring/Summer 2026 Collection — The Beginning of a New Era by Michael Rider
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On July 6, ahead of the official start of Paris Haute Couture Week, Celine unveiled its Spring/Summer 2026 debut collection under newly appointed Creative Director Michael Rider.
The show took place at the brand’s historic headquarters on 16 Rue Vivienne in Paris. While inheriting the aesthetics shaped by former directors Phoebe Philo and Hedi Slimane, Rider presented a clear and distinctive vision through a total of 72 looks that seamlessly blended menswear and womenswear.
The Legacy of Skinny Silhouettes and the Reinvention of Preppy Style
At the core of the Spring/Summer 2026 collection was a fusion of the iconic skinny silhouette from the Hedi Slimane era, the clean and structured tailoring emblematic of Phoebe Philo’s tenure, and the preppy sensibility Michael Rider cultivated during his time at Polo Ralph Lauren.
Details such as V-neck knits, Oxford shirts, and striped ties evoke a refined, classic aesthetic, yet are styled with a sense of ease that strips away any sense of rigidity. By weaving in echoes of traditional bourgeois style and reimagining them with a modern, urban fluidity, Rider updates the familiar with a quiet freshness. It’s a poised and vivid reinterpretation—an homage to the past with a gaze firmly set on the future.
Neo-Basics and the Balance of Color
The color palette was grounded in timeless neutrals—black, white, and camel—punctuated by vivid accents of kelly green, tomato red, and cobalt blue. Layered across knits, shirts, and scarves, the tonal gradations offered clarity without excess, resulting in accents that felt both intentional and harmonious.
Styling was led by Brian Molloy, a trusted name behind refined houses such as The Row, Tory Burch, and Tod’s. Under his direction, this season’s Celine went beyond mere color coordination—his work imbued the collection with an emotional tone and atmospheric depth, turning color into narrative rather than just design.
Layered Statements: Accessories That Speak
The accessories in this collection transcended the realm of mere adornment, asserting themselves as iconic elements destined to spark new trends. Gold chain necklaces and bracelets were adorned with Celine logo charms, while fingers were stacked with rings in multiples. At the waist, chains, padlock-shaped charms, and silver-buckled belts were layered with intentional flair.
These pieces struck a compelling balance—instantly recognizable yet never overbearing, refined yet playful. It is here that Michael Rider’s aesthetic philosophy comes into full view: a tension between restraint and release, expressed through accessories that are as expressive as they are wearable.
In the show notes, Michael Rider shared his vision:
“Celine stands for quality, for timelessness and for style, ideals that are difficult to catch, and even harder to hold on to, to define, despite more and more talk about them out there. We worked on translating them into a way of dressing—that attitude, or attitudes, that we feel describe who we are and what we stand for.”
Rider’s debut collection was meticulously constructed, weaving together past and future, practicality and fantasy, tension and elegance—all held in delicate balance.
Following the show, it came as no surprise that industry voices were quick to declare Rider the ideal figure to lead Celine into its next chapter. With a strong foundation in commercial sensibility from Polo Ralph Lauren, a decade of experience at Celine, and a deep understanding of the LVMH ecosystem, he brings both vision and credibility to the role.
The Spring/Summer 2026 collection marked not only a confident debut but a vivid prelude to the future of Celine.
Explore the full gallery of Celine Spring/Summer 2026 looks below.
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