Culture, craftsmanship, comedy, Michael Rider just flipped Celine’s past into its future.
- lnjweipi27
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
American designer Michael Rider made a triumphant return to Celine as creative director with his debut Spring/Summer 2026 couture presentation in Paris. Set in the brand's headquarters on Rue Vivienne, the courtyard, dramatically draped in a giant silk foulard, set the stage for a show symbolizing continuity and refreshment.
The intimate, co-ed runway drew a glittering front row, including Kim Taehyung (V from BTS), Kristen Wiig, Naomi Watts (whose daughter Kai Schreiber walked), Alanis Morissette, Dan Levy, and fashion luminaries like Anna Wintour and Raf Simons.
Rider fused the minimalist polish of Phoebe Philo and the taut tailoring of Hedi Slimane with his own American prep sensibility from Ralph Lauren. Look at the key pieces: rugby shirts, wide-sleeve sweaters, pinched-waist blazers, voluminous and skinny trousers, funnel‑neck trenches, silk scarves, and Oxford shirts. A camel leather jumpsuit stood out as bold, if slightly discordant.
Eveningwear was refined: classic black off-the-shoulder gowns, a striking white dress on Kai Schreiber, and coats that balanced elegance with ease. Accessories popped with playful Celine logos,triomphe motifs on bags, embroidered jeans, label-laden sneakers, an AirPods case, and even stitched-on keys, bringing levity into luxury.
Rider emphasised that he “did not want there to be a sense of erasure,” but building upon the foundation of Philo and Slimane, adding modernity, humor, and international flair. Buzz suggests this launch signals a strategic shift: after a co-ed presentation, Celine plans to rejoin the official calendar with separate men’s and women’s shows.
In summary, Rider’s SS26 couture is a confident blend of Parisian sophistication and American ease, anchored in heritage but refreshed for now, anchoring Celine’s luxury future with craftsmanship, personality, and fresh nuance.
Which Rider revival piece are you obsessed with? Double-tap if logos and levity made you smile!
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