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The streamlined designs of André Courrèges epitomized the Space Age aesthetic of the 1960s. But while his creations projected futuristic cool, his ambition was always more down to earth, according to Nicolas Di Felice, artistic director of the brand since 2020.
“People who believed that André wanted to design clothes to be worn in another galaxy were wrong,” he said. “He wanted to dress people in the street and then and there, not at some point in the future.”
Taking a cue from the brand’s founder, Di Felice hit the pavements of Paris this season to get the pulse of the city. The verdict? “People want more comfort,” he said.
A designer known for his technical approach to pattern-cutting and love of geometrical constructions, he kept it simple for his spring 2026 men’s and women’s pre-collection, which consisted of elevated wardrobe essentials with a graphic punch.
Another thing he picked up on? The TikTok trend for mirror selfies in Paris (the Bucherer store on Boulevard des Capucines is a hot spot.) De Felice had models photograph their own reflections in locations across town.
Women’s looks skewed body conscious, with maxiskirts chopped short in front, A-line minis with buttoned slits, and a slinky polo shirtdress slashed open at the side.
“I took my cues from André. He talked a lot about freeing the body, about movement, in the ’60s. Granted, his designs were not forgiving at all,” Di Felice said. “It was interesting to ask, if we wanted to free the body today, would it be all about trapeze miniskirts? I don’t think so.”
Instead, he mixed in athleisure staples like leggings, cycling shorts and cutout bodysuits topped with generously proportioned unisex bomber jackets.
For men, elongated biker jackets and roomy polo tops were paired with curved baggy jeans, cropped short to show off sock boots. His trademark flared pants were set off with a simple white T-shirt, elevated with cap sleeves that nodded to an archival trapeze dress.
Further nods to the founder were sprinkled throughout the coed lineup: oversize buckles on the neckline of a houndstooth top; a safari jacket with a wide belt; ribbed knit gaiters worn with a short skirt, and an updated version of the brand’s signature white go-go boot all drew their origins in archival designs.
De Felice was particularly enamored of his technical knit slipper, inspired by a crochet ballerina style from the ’70s. He pointed out that for the first time, the whole look book was styled with flat shoes.
“It’s very different to put together looks that will be shot on the street instead of a set. It was a different approach that felt fun and exciting,” he said. “My main wish from day one has always been to dress people in real life.”
