“Refined,” “deliberate,” “sophisticated,” “confident”—these are just some of the descriptors used in the present notes to explain Carven’s spring/summer season 2026 assortment, which Mark Thomas introduced this week to an intimate crowd at 6 Rond-Point des Champs-Elysees in Paris. It was his first runway present since changing into artistic director of the home, and a formidable one at that. “Easy-to-wear,” “balanced,” and “calm” have been additionally used.
These adjectives aren’t new to Carven, notably in latest years. In 2023, Louise Trotter signed on as artistic director, bringing a few new, fashionable period for the label. Three seasons later, it is without doubt one of the most beloved manufacturers in Paris amongst trendy girls preferring superbly crafted and uniquely tailor-made attire to loud, statement-making options. Thomas proved this Paris Fashion Week that he isn’t planning on straying away from the look Trotter ushered in at Carven. “We are actually pleased with the place we’ve arrived,” the British designer, who was working underneath Trotter when she left to take over from Matthieu Blazy (now at Chanel) at Bottega Veneta, instructed Vogue Business forward of this season’s present. “Collections have solely been in-store for a few yr and a half, so there’s no want to interrupt what’s beginning to work. We simply must construct on prime of that.” He’s not afraid so as to add his personal spin to the label, both.
Keep scrolling to see what cool girls in Paris (with sightings in New York and Milan, too) shall be sporting subsequent spring and summer season.
Mark Thomas’s Runway Debut
There’s a reason why Thomas’s transition to the helm at Carven has been so smooth, something that’s far from guaranteed when a new designer takes the reins in this business. After graduating from Central Saint Martins, spending nine years at Neil Barrett, and briefly working at Givenchy, Thomas took a job at Joseph as head of menswear. Trotter, at the time, was creative director, kicking off their long creative partnership. They broke away when Thomas became Helmut Lang’s creative director from 2017 to 2019, but reunited at Lacoste. (Trotter was appointed creative director of the French sportswear brand in 2018.) When she took the job at Carven in 2023, Thomas joined her, becoming second in command at the French house. He was the obvious choice, then, when she departed Carven to become Bottega Veneta’s creative director, especially given the success the brand had found under their leadership. His F/W 25 and pre-fall collections for Carven are proof that the brand’s owner, Icicle, made the right choice, with both earning critical acclaim in the industry.
(Image credit score: Carven)
Easy, Deliberate, and Refined
S/S 26, which marks Thomas’s first runway assortment since taking the job, is a clear continuation of his earlier seasons and Trotter’s designs for the home, however with delicate tweaks and experiments blended all through. For instance, this season, he performed round with sultry silhouettes and materials greater than Trotter ever did. “Loose, protective, and joyful tops exude a tranquil sensuality that subtly reveals the body,” the press launch acknowledged. “Lace, lingerie, cotton voile, jacquards, silk, and moiré fabrics pay tribute to French savoir-faire.” Carven is simply as wearable, although, with Thomas debuting items that really feel versatile and easy—excellent for the Parisian girl in the guts of spring and summer season. Think daytime poplin units mixed with polished, light-weight fits and attire. It’s grow to be a model that trendy girls wish to make investments in, shopping for a number of items each season till a year-round wardrobe varieties that’s straightforward, deliberate, and refined.
(Image credit score: Carven)
(Image credit score: Carven)
(Image credit score: Carven)
(Image credit score: Carven)
The Kiss-Lock Bag
Carven’s S/S 26 present noticed a brand new bag arrive for the model: an outsized kiss-lock purse that debuted in a number of colours, from mild blue to muted grey. The model is one among many who have, in latest seasons, leaned into the “dated” bag form, arising with new, contemporary kinds that style crowds are welcoming with open arms. The bigger measurement of Carven’s for spring is what makes this bag so distinctive and intriguing. Kiss-lock baggage are usually small in measurement and formal; nevertheless, Thomas’s take is much extra sensible, with a day-to-night enchantment that may absolutely assist to maneuver models come spring 2026.
(Image credit score: Carven)
(Image credit score: Carven)
Formal Flip-Flops
(Image credit score: Carven)
(Image credit score: Carven)
(Image credit score: Carven)
Explore More: