Though the weather rerouted Patou’s Spring/Summer 2026 show from the verdant gardens of Maison de la Chimie to its refined, parquet-floored interiors, the mood was anything but constrained. Instead, Guillaume Henry embraced the pivot with signature grace, delivering a collection that was nimble, polished, and grounded in quiet resilience.

Enter Joy — Henry’s fictional muse for the season and the embodiment of the modern woman who thrives on adaptability. She’s the kind who rolls with the forecast, transitions from errands to soirées, and never loses her sense of self — or style — in the shuffle.

The show began with a crisp black pinafore minidress featuring exaggerated patch pockets, setting the tone for a lineup that fused utility with flair. Think: structured silhouettes softened by movement, boxy jackets with romantic finishes, and generous pockets that were as intentional as they were practical.

Henry expertly balanced the house’s Deco heritage with subtle nods to Lacroix-era whimsy — a conversation between precision and play. Shift dresses in poppy prints, collarless hourglass jackets, and cropped knits worn with lace-trimmed skirts felt modern and nimble, made for a woman with places to be and presence to hold.

There was an elegance in the everyday. Puffy skirts — some sculpted, some cloudlike — floated beside relaxed tops. Lightweight suiting in breezy cottons and wools offered sartorial structure without rigidity. Lace and floral-printed fabrics suggested a touch of daydreaming amidst the pragmatism.

Eveningwear appeared briefly, but meaningfully. The finale trio — bustier gowns sleek in silhouette — whispered of glamour without shouting. A sheer lace bodysuit called back to Henry’s stagewear design for Sabrina Carpenter, merging feminine theatricality with grounded chic.

With this collection, Henry didn’t just adapt to changing plans — he celebrated the beauty of flexibility. Patou SS26 radiated a timeless kind of joy, not rooted in perfection, but in poise — the kind that lives between comfort and couture.

“Joy” may be fictional, but her wardrobe is wonderfully real — a blueprint for living beautifully, with ease, intent, and a little bit of lace.

                                              Img Source: Kendam