By Jesse Scott
Coperni re-imagined the function of clothing and the future of fashion for Spring/Summer 2026. Observing that the primary role of garments throughout human history has moved from one of protection to one of expression, co-founders Sébastian Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, considering recent technological advancements, propose a second more drastic evolution: to that of care. In Meyer’s and Vaillant's latest collection, clothes are not seen as mere necessities of protection or self-expression but rather are empowered as tools actively working to improve our mental and physical well-being. Titled C+, the collection continues to emphasize the fluid and playful silhouettes so beloved by Coperni clients while introducing revolutionary new materials to enhance both form and function.
Technological Triumphs: for Coperni, and Humanity
In the show notes, Coperni described bringing a "long-held vision to life.” This collection was the result of an intensive five-year R&D journey with Swiss specialty textile company HeiQ. But it is a beginning as much as an end, marking the emergence of a potentially industry-changing new frontier in the symbiosis between fashion and technology. The vanguard capsule is entitled “Regenerative Garments” and contains three essentials: a top, bodysuit, and leggings. Made from a four-way-stretch technical jersey for performance and comfort, the pieces are embedded with a prebiotic and probiotic formula activated by skin contact, friction, and body heat. Thus, clothes not only come alive but improve our own vitality; the formula and its millions of regenerative microorganisms, when released, tame signs of stress, replace the skin’s microbiome and assist our bodies in their natural repair processes. The innovation sounded particularly appealing to guests who had put their bodies through a full month of fashion month chaos and thankfully, “carewear” was available on the Coperni website before the show even concluded.
Relentlessly innovative as ever, Meyer and Vaillant launched two other groundbreaking new “capsules” on the runway this season. Coperni partnered with a South Korean developer to design a new fungi-based leather and introduced Tech Tailoring, a system by which wearers can discreetly adjust garments to better fit their body shape.
Glamour Meets Pragmatism on Fun Accessories and Striking Silhouettes
Coperni’s contemporary, tech-loving, and sporty sensibilities were all on display this season. Form-fitting asymmetrical spaghetti straps were paired with irreverent “drawstring skirts” for an effortless “too cool to care” aesthetic (Look 4). Halter met bandeau on a covetous color-blocked top that was paired with a pleated skirt to embody the sexy sophisticated city girl (Look 17). A belted dress with dramatic zippers brought urban edge and tech sensibility to a traditionally feminine silhouette (Look 19) while denim, in a rare appearance, danced with an elaborately draped vanilla white top (Look 29). There were red-carpet-ready looks as well, most notably black, and vanilla white gowns with high slits and voluminous trains billowing sensuously off the arms (Looks 30, 31).
Coperni Spring/Summer 2026: Looks 4, 17, 19, 29, 30, 31 (Images courtesy of Coperni)
Coperni is always one of the most-anticipated shows on the Paris Fashion Week calendar and a front row including names such as Demi Lovato and Phoebe Tonkin was treated to a spectacle equal parts fun and thought-provoking. Forever at the forefront of technology in fashion, Meyer and Vaillant demonstrated yet again that they have their finger on the pulse of the current flashpoint even as they work to shape the next one.