Celine made a high-profile return to the runway on Sunday, unveiling its Spring 2026 collection at the brand’s headquarters in Paris. The show marked the debut of new creative director Michael Rider, drawing a star-filled crowd and renewed attention to the French fashion house.
Held under a silk canopy in the Tuileries Gardens, the event took place during Paris’ “car-free Sunday,” but the area was bustling with guests, many of whom wore a signature white scarf sent out as part of the invitation.
The front row featured a host of global celebrities, including BTS star Kim Taehyung (V), who arrived by bicycle, actress Naomi Watts, singer Alanis Morissette, South Korean actress Suzy Bae, and Mustafa the Poet. Fashion insiders like Raf Simons and Jonathan Anderson were also present to support Rider’s first collection.
This was Celine’s first physical runway show since February 2023, and the anticipation was high. Rider, who took over earlier this year after six years at Polo Ralph Lauren, kept a low profile until now. The only teaser ahead of the show was the scarf invite, which also appeared in ads around Paris.
The Spring 2026 collection featured both men’s and women’s fashion, blending references from Celine’s past and Rider’s own design history. Classic 1970s styles, lean tailoring, and balloon-leg denim were showcased alongside more personal touches like argyle knits and stacked jewelry, hinting at Rider’s time at Balenciaga and Ralph Lauren.
Attendees were provided with branded umbrellas as rain fell during the show, adding a cinematic layer to the presentation. Rider’s designs emphasized a mix of preppy American energy and French elegance, creating what some stylists called “an exciting new chapter” for the brand.
Rider inherits a legacy of success: under former creative director Hedi Slimane, Celine became a major player in luxury fashion, with estimated annual revenues of over €2.5 billion. With his more subtle and refined approach, Rider seems poised to lead the brand into its next era.
