Drew Henry Debuts as Courrèges Creative Director at PFW
South African designer Drew Henry presented his debut SS27 collection for Courrèges at Paris Fashion Week, one of only two major creative director debuts.
Drew Henry presented his debut collection as creative director of Courrèges for SS27 at Paris Fashion Week on September 30, 2026. His appointment marks one of only two major designer debuts this season, alongside Carven.
Henry took over from Nicolas Di Felice at the label, which is owned by the Pinault family's Artémis holding company. The debut arrives after two seasons of significant creative shake-ups across the fashion industry, placing Henry's first show under a spotlight of heightened anticipation.
Background
Drew Henry's journey to the helm of Courrèges began in Witbank, South Africa. His British and Irish parents moved the family frequently due to his father's job, fostering an early adaptability. "When I was a child, we moved around a lot in South Africa and Botswana because of my father’s job," Henry said. "I wasn’t really attached to houses or cities. I was adaptable, and when you are adaptable, you like to observe people."
His passion for fashion was nurtured through Fashion TV and magazines that arrived months late. In South Africa, they were four months late, but I was just happy to have them, he recalled. Henry began his fashion education at LISOF in Johannesburg, a technical school specializing in pattern-cutting, before moving to London at age 20. He enrolled at Central Saint Martins in 2008, graduating in 2014 under professor Louise Wilson alongside peers like Grace Wales Bonner and Daniel Lee.
His career path wound through major houses, including behind-the-scenes roles at Céline, JW Anderson, and Phoebe Philo, where he learned the importance of integrity. He most recently served as senior design director at Burberry before his appointment as artistic director of Courrèges.
The Collection
The SS27 show reworked Courrèges’ signature space-age elements with a contemporary eye. The brand's DNA of sharp silhouettes and playful accessories remained clearly visible but was thoughtfully updated.
The first look set the tone in all white: a knee-length waistcoat fastened at the top but left loose below. The presentation then moved into block colors and playful flourishes. Key pieces included furry stilettos and deliberately worn-in reinterpretations of the iconic go-go boots. Sweet babydoll dresses were given a modern twist and appeared on male models.
A standout detail came from the archives. The show featured ludicrous hats originally designed for the house by Jean Barthet in the early 1960s, directly connecting Henry's new vision to Courrèges' foundational years.
Context and Perspective
The other major debut of Paris Fashion Week is Carven's new designer, Kai Nesselrath, who presented his first collection later the same day. This focus on new talent follows a season, SS26, which saw a dozen new designers take creative helm at different houses.
For Henry, leading an established house was a lifelong ambition. I’ve always wanted to become an artistic director, but I never really wanted to have my own brand, he explained. He was drawn to Courrèges' intimate scale and its vibrant history. Diving into the archives revealed a colorful, optimistic soul. There’s so much joy, playfulness, but also a strong sense of sentimentality. he noted.
He now works from the fifth-floor office on Rue François-Ier, a space once occupied by the house’s founders, André and Coqueline Courrèges.
