ANDREW KWON’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection draws its light from the timeless beauty of Pierre-Narcisse Guérin’s Aurora and Cephalus. At its heart is Aurora, goddess of dawn, an enduring symbol of renewal and radiance, brought to life through KWON’s modern American couture.
Presented at the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria New York, the ANDREW KWON show marked the first fashion event held in the space since its reopening earlier this summer. The collection came to life within the storied Jade Room, a setting of mythic grandeur that perfectly echoed the themes of rebirth, light, and transcendence.
Guests in attendance included Olympic Gold Medalist, Suni Lee, Love Island star, Amaya Espinal, Actress Ali Ahn, Meredith Marks, Chriselle Lim, Laura Kim, and more.
This season, KWON unveils sixteen couture evening gowns – works of fantasy designed to endure as heirlooms. The collection journeys through the skies of Aurora’s world: darkness dissolving into light, clouds shimmering with iridescence, and floral offerings suspended in air.
Andrew Kwon
Photos: BFA/Madison Voelkel
Signature liquid organzas, intricate 3D embroidery, and architectural constructions define the collection’s craftsmanship. One opening gown is encrusted with thousands of crystal beads, demanding over 500 hours of embroidery. Another shimmers with an all-over constellation of bugle beads, crossing in radiant directions. Through these techniques, weightless illusion is balanced with rigorous structure, reflecting KWON’s devotion to artistry and storytelling.
The palette is drawn directly from Guérin’s canvas: fading night skies, pearlescent blues and greys, tender pinks and violets, and the crystalline shimmer of breaking light.
For KWON, fantasy is not an escape but a way of dreaming forward. With Celestial, he continues to shape a world where goddesses walk among us, cloaked in light, their gowns drifting like the sky itself.
Delicate diamond and gemstone fine jewelry from 64Facets adorned each model, complemented by custom pearl and bijoux-embellished nails by Airi Yamada, while elegant evening footwear from Stuart Weitzman flawlessly completed the ensemble. A soft and ethereal aesthetic was brought to life by makeup artist Grace Ahn, hairstyling by Marcello Costa and Beppe D’Elia, and radiant skin achieved with ‘Then I Met You’ products by Charlotte Cho.
SPRING SUMMER 2026 | Celestial
A world of fantasy.
Born from the timeless beauty of Pierre-Narcisse Guérin’s Aurora and Cephalus, the figure of Aurora, goddess of dawn, became the heart of my inspiration, breaking through darkness, transforming into a myth made real.
This is not prêt-à-porter; this is couture eveningwear.
Sixteen gowns journey through the skies of Aurora’s world: the dissolving darkness, the breaking of light, the shimmer of clouds, and the floral offerings of the goddess herself. I was struck by the liquid quality of the organzas, the play of light and shadow in the painting, and the subtle yet radiant palette of dawn.
To me, fantasy has always been more than escape — it’s about dreaming forward.
This collection is about reclaiming those ancient tales, translating their timeless symbols into the modern world, and celebrating the identity of ANDREW KWON.
Show Credits:
Hair: Marcello Costa and Beppe D’Elia
Makeup: Grace Ahn
Skincare: Then I Met You
Jewelry: 64Facets
Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Nails: AIRI YAMADA
Movement Director: K-A Nassoura
Production: Xin Huang, Le Petite Prive
About ANDREW KWON
Korean-American, NYC-based designer Andrew Kwon has quickly become a rising star in luxury bridal and couture evening wear. He launched his eponymous label, ANDREW KWON, in 2021, and his creations have since been featured in The New York Times, Vogue, Forbes, Elle, and WWD. In 2024, he was named to Forbes 30 Under 30, Class of 2024.
With experience at Chloe, Vera Wang, Marchesa, and Nicolas Caito, Kwon debuted his first bridal collection in 2021 and expanded into couture evening wear in 2022. He has collaborated with brands including Stuart Weitzman, Manolo Blahnik, L’Oréal, and The Baccarat Hotel, and has been recognized by the CFDA, FGI, and WWD as a rising talent. In 2024, he opened his first Manhattan atelier, solidifying his growing presence in the world of couture. Kwon has collaborated with luxury brands and institutions including The Baccarat Hotel, Stuart Weitzman, The Peninsula New York, Manolo Blahnik, The Wall Group, L’Oréal, and Tatcha. In 2023, he was invited by the CFDA as an Interim Member and was selected as a finalist for the CFDA’s Inaugural Genesis House AAPI Design and Innovation Grant Fund. WWD named him “One to Watch,” while FGI recognized him as a Rising Star. That same year, Kwon was profiled in Elle Korea and appeared on Netflix’s Super Rich in Korea.
In 2024, after nearly four years operating his brand from his New York City apartment, Kwon opened his first atelier in the heart of Manhattan, marking a bold new chapter for his growing label.
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