Lee Dong Wook and Choi Sooyoung appear together at the COS Seoul fashion show: a first look at the Spring/Summer 2026 collection

Whenever the seasons change, opening your closet can make it feel like you’re missing a few versatile pieces that work for every occasion. For a balance of quality and design, COS is often one of the first brands that comes to mind. We’re used to the brand holding shows in Europe and the U.S., so COS had quite a surprise in store this time. On March 26, 2026, it brought its runway to Seoul, South Korea, for the first time. This was a major milestone for the brand and showed its commitment to the Asian market. The Spring/Summer 2026 collection carries on the minimalist silhouettes everyone loves while adding a strong sense of storytelling that will have you wanting to update your wardrobe right away.

Where was COS’s first fashion show in South Korea held?

Rather than a traditionally glamorous venue, COS chose a setting with plenty of character. Its Spring/Summer 2026 Seoul show was held at Seongbook Kaan Studio on the outskirts of the city. Deeply inspired by Brutalism, the space was originally an unused swimming pool, which the brand transformed into a runway with a surreal architectural feel.

The set design made extensive use of contrasting materials and modernist geometric lines, creating a crisp, cool atmosphere. Most strikingly, the show’s soundscape featured urban sounds recorded on location in the Seoul subway. As models moved among the maze-like structural columns and slowly emerged through a soft haze, the scene was so full of tension that it felt like stepping into an art-house film.

What inspired the COS Spring/Summer 2026 collection?

The collection centers on “cinematic aesthetics,” blending the powerful silhouettes of the ’80s with the pared-back minimalism of the ’90s. The show featured 40 looks in a restrained yet richly textured color palette. Slate gray, warm brown, soft beige, and clean white formed the main tones, creating harmonious tonal layers. To keep the collection from feeling too plain, the designers added touches of blue and deep burgundy in just the right proportion, bringing greater depth to each look. It’s a classic color palette that won’t feel dated even after years of wear.

The trompe l’oeil denim is so striking!

Anyone familiar with COS knows the brand has never compromised on its choice of fabrics. This season marks a further step forward in its use of materials, with an emphasis on dimensional layering and sheen. Leather and performance fabrics bring a subtle luster, paper-like materials create naturally wrinkled textures, and linen blends add rich textural detail.

The standout piece is undoubtedly the “trompe l’oeil denim.” It may look like rigid denim, but it’s actually made from soft silk. This inventive treatment gives otherwise casual tailoring a more luxurious drape. Lightweight sheer fabrics and semi-transparent ribbed knits also appear throughout the womenswear, flowing naturally as the models walk and taking the quiet, refined mood to its fullest expression.

A star-studded event: Which celebrities attended the Seoul fashion show?

As the brand’s first major show in South Korea, its guest list was naturally impressive. The venue was filled with film and TV stars and fashion figures from around the world. Alexander Skarsgård and actress Emma Roberts represented Europe and the U.S., while the Korean contingent included popular actors Lee Dong Wook, Park Gyu Young, Choi Sooyoung, and Kim So-hyun, along with SEVENTEEN’s Boo Seungkwan and ELLA of MEOVV. Seeing these charismatic stars wear COS’s minimalist pieces was like the ultimate styling lesson.

After seeing so many wonderful designs, you’ve probably already made a mental shopping list. If you’d like to take these beautiful pieces home as soon as possible, here’s the good news: selected items from the show are already available at COS stores and on the official website.

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