Julian Klausner envisions a summer mirage for Dries Van Noten’s Spring/Summer 2026 women’s collection. Presented at the Palais de Tokyo, the collection draws inspiration from the elusive vision of a surfer dancing along a set of gleaming waves. The silhouette of the surfer’s wetsuit cruises across ruffles of crystal water against the backdrop of a blooming sunset, eliciting a sense of tranquility and optimism distinctive with the seemingly endless days of summer.

The collection presents an intuitive balance between casual and refined, effortlessly mixing stiff materials with soft, fluid silhouettes. By experimenting with scale, color, and shape, the looks bring a playful energy and joyful ease to the runway.

Vibrant geometric shapes and saturated colors are displayed on both neoprene scuba, as an homage to the wetsuit, and flowy silk satin, imitating the foaming waters of the ocean. Cuts and darts act as decorative touches, and black embroidery on bright garments resembles ornate drawings.

The wetsuit motif is further personified in small, rounded raglan shoulders and narrow Bermudas, while hints of historical grandeur are offset by the casual everydayness of grey jersey. Dazzling embellishments found on jackets and skirts are displayed in clusters, mirroring piles of shells collected at the beach. Flat sneakers and soft, capacious bags are ideal for long days by the shore.