V160: Enlighten by Nick Knight

Rising Brazilian model Maria Klaumann steps into the light as the Spring 2026 couture collections cast a radiant glow on style, technique, and boundless imagination

  • Text by The Editors of V

For a special couture edition of our V160 Summer 2026 issue, photographer Nick Knight and V’s Senior Fashion Editor Anna Trevelyan envision a luminous couture fantasy starring Brazilian beauty Maria Klaumann.

Bringing light (literally!) to the Spring 2026 haute couture collections, Klaumann gets cloaked in luminosity from the extraordinary craftsmanship of this season’s most theatrical silhouettes, in a story that plunges headfirst into couture’s most otherworldly dreamscapes.

Gown in silk tulle, bodice embroidered with jade green crystals and fancy sequins, skirt made of silk organza crinoline petals with crystal micro-trim ARMANI PRIVÉ (Spring ’26) | Garrard one-of-a-kind Northern Lights suite in 18ct white gold featuring the necklace, earrings, and bracelet GARRARD
Maria wears spherical strapless dress
sculpted by a supple structure DIOR HAUTE COUTURE (Spring ‘26) | Tres Cher Dior ring and Dior Print ring DIOR HIGH JEWELRY
Embroidered chiffon tank top and embroidered denim-effect printed chiffon pants CHANEL HAUTE COUTURE (Spring ‘26) | White gold diamond, emerald, opal and tourmaline, garnet and spinal
sapphire earrings, titanium, onyx, white diamond, padparadscha tourmaline collar necklace, white gold, white diamonds with black opal and lapis ring DAVID MORRIS | Heels GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI
Upcycled unsold LVMH dress with beaded embroideries GERMANIER (Spring Haute Couture ‘26)
Cherry blossom gown in silk chiffon with brass and silk floral embellishments MISS SOHEE (Spring Haute Couture ‘26) | High Jewelry earrings and ring PIAGET
Taffeta handmade crepe gown DOLCE&GABBANA ALTA MODA | High jewelry earrings in yellow gold 18kt and High Jewelry Diva’s Dream necklace BVLGARI HIGH JEWELRY
Molded bustier dress covered in rhinestones and crystal fringes, earrings, satin mule with an asymmetrical wavy vamp SCHIAPARELLI HAUTE COUTURE (Spring ‘26) |
Plume De Paon large ring and Vendôme Liseré ring BOUCHERON
Ignis hand embroidered bodysuit and Ignis print highlighted 3D sculpture made of high strength mesh tulle RAHUL MISHRA (Spring Haute Couture ‘26) | Opera heels THOM SOLO
Long dress with kimono sleeves in cady fabric with sleeves embroidered with gold flames, brass sunburst crown with rhinestones, Ostrich feathers suede sandals with ankle strap VALENTINO HAUTE COUTURE ‘SPECULA MUNDI’ COLLECTION (Spring ‘26) | The Alchemist of Light by De Beers London ascending shadows drop earrings DE BEERS LONDON
Organza gown with exaggerated sculptural volume layered over an illuminated breastplate GAURAV GUPTA (Spring Haute Couture ‘26) | Haute Joaillerie Collection earrings CHOPARD
Chromed resin bodice and lamé silk jersey gown ROBERT WUN (Spring Haute Couture ‘26)

This cover story is featured in V160: now available for purchase!

Photography Nick Knight

Fashion Anna Trevelyan

Creative Director Calum Knight

Editor-in-Chief Stephan Gan

Model Maria Klaumann (The Lions)

Hair Franco Gobbi (Streeters) using Fragile Cosmetics

Makeup Val Garland (Streeters) using MAC Cosmetics, Danessa Myricks & NARS

Manicure Adam Slee (Streeters)

Set Designer Andrew Tomlinson

Executive Producer Kat Davey

Fashion Market Editor Copelyn Bengel

Production Sidonie Barton

Digital Technician Gabriel Lloret

Photo Assistants Lara Hughes, Gil Warner, Oldnightkid Wang

Fashion Assistants Leonie Dennett, Timmy Taiwo, Nicole Alonzo

Hair Assistant Laura Swaine

Makeup Assistant Paula Maxwell

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