By Louise Daniel
A Maison known for subverting the female silhouette with innovative cuts and unconventional materials—such as hair used for coats—KIMHĒKIM Fall/Winter 2026 kicked off the beginning of Paris Fashion Week with a show that felt like a timely celebration. Kimintē KimhēKim’s contagious creative enthusiasm was palpable and celebrated within the halls of the Palais de Tokyo. The collection was titled “Enter the Spectrum,” serving as an invitation to take an introspective look into the designer’s creative oeuvre.
Maison KIMHĒKIM is already known as the go-to brand for the new fashion frontier’s tastemakers, such as the Young Emperors and K-pop artists like Jeon Somi. KIMHĒKIM himself has cultivated this fantastical universe for over a decade, composing a distinct DNA with deep appreciation for its community. Fragile wooden crates stamped with From Seoul to Paris labels were stacked across the concrete runway, as a parade of forty-one KIMHĒKIM-coded ensembles dazzled the audience.
KIMHĒKIM Fall/Winter 2026: Looks 2, 3, 6, 24, 25, 27, 36 (Images courtesy of KIMHĒKIM)
The beginning of the spectrum carried softness and a charming naïveté, expressed through pastels and 1960s mod silhouettes adorned with delicate ribbons. Then, materiality came into play. The next phase of KIMHĒKIM unfolded through the intricate use of pearls and reimagined ruching techniques, giving classic silhouettes an inventive yet flattering twist. From this sea of pastels emerged a more monochrome palette, following the designer’s more seasoned tailoring, enriched with subtly sophisticated details. Look 9 featured pearls attached to eyelets on a black cropped suit set. A baby pink scarf extending into a sweater base for a chalk gray suit set was paired with silver mesh and a transparent handbag, as seen in Look 12. KIMHĒKIM’s definition of elegance is always skillfully tempered by whimsy.
KIMHĒKIM Fall/Winter 2026: Look 12 (Image courtesy of KIMHĒKIM)
His most recognizable visual identity yet—we are introduced to an array of subversively playful hair ensembles. From sheer beige dresses with ginger hair integrated into the shoulder detailing to full hair compositions, these pieces were as impressive as they were technically demanding. Such designs require a precise understanding of construction to appear free-flowing and effortless on the runway. After a series of more structured tailoring, the finale returned to simplicity at its finest: monochrome looks bearing the brand’s iconic label, culminating in a sheer layered white tee emblazoned with Do Not Cross. Maison KIMHĒKIM is one of those clothing universes that will continue to design with pure enthusiasm for the act of creation. Wearability is never an issue—the designs feel like evolving uniforms, continuously reimagined.