Inside New York Fashion Week with Andrew Kwon 

Fashion Week in New York hums with anticipation — a moment when designers unveil their visions to the world, blending storytelling with craftsmanship on one of fashion’s biggest stages. This season, Andrew Kwon debuted his Spring 2026 collection, Celestial, in the newly renovated Waldorf Astoria New York, presenting sixteen couture evening gowns that affirmed his place as one of fashion’s most compelling young voices. Known for merging modern American elegance with the timeless spirit of couture, Kwon’s work transforms the runway into an emotional, immersive experience.

Through an exclusive partnership with Exclusive Resorts, Members can step inside Kwon’s New York City atelier for an intimate couture journey — from bespoke wedding gowns to one-of-a-kind evening dresses, guided personally by Kwon from first sketch to final fitting.

With his latest collection still fresh from the runway, Kwon shared with us his thoughts on inspiration, process, and what it means to create couture in today’s world.

Can you share the inspiration behind this collection?

This collection, Celestial, draws its inspiration from Pierre-Narcisse Guérin’s 1811 painting Aurora and Cephalus. In the story, Aurora (Eos in Greek mythology), the goddess of dawn, falls in love with the mortal Cephalus and carries him away on a cloud while he sleeps. The painting captures this tension between divinity and humanity, between the ethereal and the earthly.

Translating this narrative into our pieces, the collection explores themes of transcendence, luminosity, and dreamlike suspension. The gowns are designed to evoke celestial movement — the sweep of clouds, the shimmer of dawn light, and the mystery of night skies. Soft ombré tones and translucent layers mirror the atmosphere of Guérin’s painting, while draping and fluid fabrics capture the sensation of being lifted into the heavens. Darker pieces with metallic sheens represent the cosmic vastness of night, contrasted by airy, light-toned gowns embodying the first rays of morning.

The collection is about romance on a divine scale, but also about the intimacy of human longing, mirroring Aurora’s own story of love, desire, and transcendence.

What was the process like preparing for this show — creatively and logistically? Any memorable behind-the-scenes moments? 

At the start of the creative process, I always begin with imagination — thinking about the emotions I want people to feel the moment they see the collection. Music, particularly classical music, is central to this stage; it becomes the backdrop to my sketching and design work, guiding the rhythm and mood of each piece.

As the show draws closer, the energy shifts. Suddenly, it becomes about efficiency, logistics, and the countless moving parts that bring a vision to life. It’s a period of late nights and early mornings, where creativity meets discipline. And yet, this is also when the strongest bonds are formed within the team. There’s something very special about working side by side toward a shared goal — sharing quick meals together, laughing in the middle of exhaustion, and realizing that these behind-the-scenes moments truly create such deep connections and memorable moments.

How does seeing your work in motion on the runway compare to seeing it styled in the real world? 

Seeing the pieces come alive on the runway is always emotional for us, because we know just how much detail, craftsmanship, and care has gone into every look. The runway is designed to heighten that drama — to present a complete vision with movement, music, and atmosphere.

But it’s equally powerful, and sometimes even more meaningful, to see the gowns styled in the real world. The very ethos of ANDREW KWON is to make women feel empowered and confident, and there’s nothing more rewarding than watching a piece transform on someone who truly makes it her own. Whether it’s a celebrity fitting where we’re excited by how seamlessly a gown embodies her, or seeing muses like Lucy Liu and Chrissy Teigen wear our pieces, those are moments that remind us why we create — to celebrate individuality, beauty, and the uniqueness of every woman.

Were there any creative risks you took in this collection that you’re particularly proud of? 

This season marked the first time we pushed embroidery and beading to such an extensive level. Several pieces are adorned with delicate floral embroidery, while others carry over 30,000 hand-applied crystal beads that shimmer like constellations in motion. We also introduced pearls into the collection, adding a layer of refinement and timelessness.

What makes me proud is not just the craftsmanship, but the way these elements were used. The embroidery and embellishments weren’t meant to overwhelm but to feel integral to the design, almost as if they were woven into the fabric of the story itself. Our goal has always been to create pieces that are both timeless and reflective of modern American couture, and I feel this season’s exploration of embroidery allowed us to express that balance in a fresh, exciting way.

After the show wraps, what’s your personal post-show ritual — how do you unwind, celebrate, or reflect? 

So much work goes into these shows — not just from me, but from my team and from the loved ones who support me throughout the process. My natural instinct afterward is to pause and express gratitude, because that feels the most meaningful: honoring the people who worked so tirelessly to bring the collection to life.

Almost by habit, I’ll have dinner with my mother and stepfather after the show. It’s not something I plan as a ritual, but it feels natural to share the moment with them. They’ll celebrate with me, but they’ll also be honest and offer constructive criticism, which I truly value. There’s always a sense of accomplishment after the show, but I don’t hold on to it for long — the very next day the focus shifts straight into PR, press, pricing, and the business of the collection. But because I truly love what I do, it feels seamless to dive back into the whirlwind of it all!