There’s always a sense of romance when Paul Costelloe takes over the ballroom at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel, but this season, that romance carried a distinctly cinematic glow. For Spring/Summer 2026, Costelloe unveiled Boulevard of Dreams — a collection inspired by Sharon Tate, the 1960s actress and style icon remembered as much for her effortless grace as for her tragic, untimely death. The show paid homage to Tate’s luminous spirit, capturing the golden promise of her era through soft tailoring, fluid fabrics, and a nostalgic colour palette that shimmered with quiet optimism.
The ballroom, one of London’s most opulent, was transformed into a golden dreamscape. Soft amber lighting washed over the runway as a remixed soundtrack of 1960s hits — think The Beach Boys, Dusty Springfield and The Mamas & The Papas — played in the background.
The collection opened with a burst of sunshine: butter-yellow and coral mini dresses in featherlight tweeds, worn with matching cropped jackets. Costelloe’s signature A-line silhouettes and swing coats took centre stage, but were reimagined in airy linens and silks, giving the looks a sense of fluidity and youth. Structured tailoring — sharp but feminine — grounded the collection, while bias-cut gowns in ivory, blush and sky blue offered moments of romantic softness. The pieces moved beautifully as the models glided down the runway, their hems fluttering like petals caught in a warm summer breeze.
Costelloe’s fabrics told a story of texture and tactility. There were lightweight tweeds woven with subtle metallic threads, silk chiffons with a pearlescent sheen, and delicate organza overlays that shimmered under the ballroom’s golden light. Every detail spoke of craftsmanship and reverence — a master designer in conversation with his muse. Accessories were kept true to the period: pastel platforms, small box handbags, and headbands that nodded to the effortless elegance of Tate’s Hollywood years.Hair and makeup sealed the 1960s reverie. Under the creative direction of Cos Sakkas at TONI&GUY, models sported softly backcombed hair with gentle bouffants, while makeup featured long lashes, nude gloss lips, and a whisper of blue shadow — enough to conjure Tate’s iconic look without descending into pastiche.
Front-row seats shone with familiar faces: Jodie Kidd, Olivia Cox, and Phoebe and Daisy Tomlinson were among those captured in shots from the S/S 26 Paul Costelloe show at the Waldorf, confirming the designer’s ability to draw names who move between fashion, media, and public life.
By the finale, Boulevard of Dreams felt more than a tribute—it was a reimagining: Sharon Tate’s Californian radiance filtered through Costelloe’s mastery of cut and craft. The show reminded everyone that nostalgia, when held in the hands of a skilled designer, can be a vehicle not just for looking back, but for looking forward.
Written By Angela Gaote
Photographer Olu Ogunshakin