The Nina Ricci Spring-Summer 2026 collection unveiled a confident new rhythm for the house, with Harris Reed finding his stride alongside stylist Carine Roitfeld. Presented at the Sorbonne, the show mixed academic grandeur with a playful edge, creating a moment that felt equally polished and unpredictable.
The collection is a dialogue between old-world Parisian femininity and the unrestrained energy of rock icons. Reed drew inspiration from David Bowie, Keith Richards, Anita Pallenberg, and Mick Jagger to create a wardrobe that traded demure elegance for self-expression and sensual power.
Polka dots, a Ricci signature, reappeared, sharing the stage with acid-bright python prints, metallic jacquards, and tortoiseshell sequins. The mood was rebellious yet romantic, evoking the glam rock style of the 1970s through a modern lens. There was a clear sense that Reed had loosened up this season, replacing theatrical volume with pieces designed for movement and attitude.
Tailoring took a sharper turn. Peak-shouldered jackets and bias-cut silk skirts nodded to vintage lingerie, giving the Ricci person a bolder silhouette. A black pantsuit, worn bare-chested with layers of heavy beads, encapsulated the newfound confidence Reed is cultivating at the house: refined yet raw.
Backstage, Reed described his process as character building rather than nostalgia. He spoke of celebrating the self and fluidity rather than chasing the archetype of the Nina Ricci woman. This shift is essential to the modernity of the collection. The garments still carry the brand’s DNA – lace, tweed, and bows – but they have been stripped of their museum polish and revived for a generation that values authenticity over perfection.
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Accessories followed suit. The debut of the Grand Bal handbag marked Reed’s first venture into leather goods for Ricci. Its paneled structure and understated glamour fit seamlessly with the show’s tone – a touch of classic French refinement viewed through a 21st-century lens. The piece will launch at Bergdorf Goodman next month, signaling the label’s growing commercial ambition alongside its creative ambition.
Moments from the runway lingered: Ashley Graham wore a black silk slip dress cut on the bias and spliced with chiffon and lace. She paired it with an oversized bomber jacket slung over her shoulders. The models’ tousled waves shook to Janis Joplin’s voice, carrying the spirit of release Reed wanted to convey. There was movement, mischief, and a sense of liberation.
