At the newly reopened Waldorf Astoria New York, designer Andrew Kwon presented his Spring/Summer 2026 couture collection, “Celestial,” marking a luminous return to New York Fashion Week. Inspired by Pierre-Narcisse Guérin’s 1811 painting Aurora and Cephalus, the collection transforms mythology into motion — a visual ode to light, rebirth, and transcendence.

The presentation, held within the Waldorf’s storied Jade Room, reflected Kwon’s modern interpretation of divine beauty. Drawing from the myth of Aurora, the goddess of dawn, the collection explores the journey from night to day — a passage of emotion, renewal, and radiance.

Guests in attendance included Olympic Gold Medalist Suni Lee, Love Island’s Amaya Espinal, actress Ali Ahn, Meredith Marks, Chriselle Lim, and Laura Kim, all witnessing Kwon’s poetic evolution of modern couture.

Comprising sixteen couture evening gowns, Celestial demonstrates the meticulous artistry that has become synonymous with Andrew Kwon. Signature liquid organzas, architectural silhouettes, and 3D floral embroidery define the line, while intricate embellishments — from thousands of hand-applied crystals and pearls to delicate bugle bead constellations — shimmer like stars in motion.

Each piece required hundreds of hours of handwork, balancing ethereal lightness with rigorous structure. The result is a seamless dialogue between imagination and precision — a hallmark of Kwon’s approach to modern American couture.

The color story directly mirrors Guérin’s canvas: pearlescent blues and greys, tender pinks, violets, and the shimmering translucence of early morning light. From dusk to dawn, each gown evokes a stage of transformation — the quiet mystery of darkness giving way to the first breath of day.

For Kwon, fantasy is not escapism but aspiration. “To me, fantasy has always been more than escape — it’s about dreaming forward,” he shares. “This collection reclaims ancient stories, translating their timeless symbols into the modern world.”

Models were adorned in diamond and gemstone jewelry from 64Facets, complemented by pearl-embellished nails designed by Airi Yamada. Makeup artist Grace Ahn created a soft, celestial glow, while Marcello Costa and Beppe D’Elia crafted ethereal hairstyles. Footwear by Stuart Weitzman completed each look with refined ease.

Production was led by Xin Huang of Le Petite Prive, with movement direction by K-A Nassoura, further elevating the sense of fluidity and light throughout the presentation.

Andrew Kwon, a Korean-American designer based in New York, has rapidly emerged as one of the leading voices in contemporary couture. Since launching his eponymous label in 2021, Kwon has gained recognition from Vogue, Forbes, WWD, and The New York Times, and was named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 (Class of 2024).

With experience at Chloé, Vera Wang, Marchesa, and Nicolas Caito, Kwon bridges romantic artistry with modern refinement. His work celebrates emotion, empowerment, and individuality — creating gowns that feel both timeless and deeply personal.

After years of operating from his New York apartment, Kwon opened his first Manhattan atelier in 2024, solidifying his place among a new generation redefining the future of American couture.

With Celestial, Andrew Kwon continues to blur the line between the mythical and the modern — crafting garments that feel as if they were born of starlight itself. In his world, godesses walk among us, cloaked not only in couture but in light, beauty, and imagination.

Andrew Kwon Spring/Summer 2026