Spring 2026 Haute Couture: Yara Shoemaker’s Awakening of Venus

Yara Shoemaker presented her Spring/Summer 2026 couture collection, “The Awakening of Venus,” at an intimate Paris venue, centring her exploration of the female form on structure, movement, and light. Her house, founded in 2020, has established a reputation for combining European couture techniques with traditional handicraft—a fusion that is evident throughout the collection.

The designer drew inspiration from classical antiquity and Art Deco, though her approach remained measured. She described the work as exploring “the tension between structure and softness,” a theme expressed through the interplay of opaque and sheer surfaces, fitted and flowing elements, and a restrained, controlled palette.

Corsetry serves as the anchor of the collection, shaping the silhouette through precise construction rather than overt display. Structured bodices extend into long trains, creating a tension between stability and fluidity, while mother-of-pearl appears as a recurring embellishment, applied in varying scales and techniques. In a black velvet gown, a white sculptural element richly embellished with mother-of-pearl is positioned across the body, serving as a contrasting graphic feature while preserving the garment’s vertical line.

Shoemaker employs a variety of embroidery techniques to create richly textured surfaces. Hand-pleated chiffon appears alongside beadwork and thread embroidery on fishnet tulle, while pearls and crystal chains are draped across shoulders and backs, moving freely with the body. Pale blue silk gowns feature horizontal pleating across strapless bodices, adding volume while maintaining clean lines.

Trained in European couture ateliers and informed by her study of traditional handcraft in India, Shoemaker’s approach remains grounded in construction and material mastery. Across the collection, elongated proportions, surface textures, and the interaction of light with fabric define the garments, maintaining a consistent focus on silhouette and technique.

For a house still establishing itself in Paris couture, “The Awakening of Venus” reflects Shoemaker’s attention to craft, form, and materiality, presenting a coherent vision of femininity articulated through construction and silhouette.