Boulevard of Dreams

If Paul Costelloe's SS26 were a postcard, it would be candy-coloured: one of sun-bleached boulevards, pastel convertibles, and Californian dreams. Titled Boulevard of Dreams, the collection transports us back to 1960s Beverly Hills, with enough glamour to make Rodeo Drive blush.

Costelloe leans fully into nostalgia this season, specifically the West Coast's glossiest era.

The show's ambiance, complete with a backdrop of "candy-coloured palm trees, boulevards and convertibles," sets the tone immediately. This is not a subtle throwback; it's a sun-drenched, icon-laden fantasy, evoking the Valley of the Dolls, the golden hour, and Hollywood's soft glam. Costelloe himself frames it as "very happy," "fresh," and "exciting."

Think trapeze minis, twin sets, and shift dresses. Costelloe often plays with mini lengths, dropping hems where you expect movement, thereby offering freedom. These pieces feel light and unrestrained, perfect for warm evenings. His tweeds are lighter this season—still heritage-rich but transformed: swing coats, skirt suits, and matching sets, done in pastels or softened colors. There's a playful contrast when tweed, usually somber and textured, is rendered in sherbet shades or pastel tones. Strategically placed cut-outs add flirtatious tension. Oversized bows, drop-waist hems, and vintage touches make it feel glamorous, not gimmicky. The platform shoes and styling (hair piled into bouffants, etc.) cement the throwback effect without making it feel costume.

The palette is a joyful deviation from Costelloe's softer tendencies: tangerine, turquoise, sherbet orange, butter yellow, with baby blue and pastel pinks and corals in the mix. It's bold but balanced. Fabric-wise, there's a mix: traditional tweed reimagined in pastel colors, lightweight knits, and possibly linen or jersey in some of the lighter pieces. Texture becomes part of the drama, especially when paired with platforms and structured shapes. Styling leans into glossy pastels and occasionally incorporates pearls/metallic highlights to achieve that high-summer sparkle.

In seasons where minimalism has gone far, Boulevard of Dreams is a welcome celebration of colour, fun, and fantasy. It hits exactly the mood many want: visible, joyful glamour. Costelloe maintains his tailoring chops and heritage (tweed, structure), but refreshes them—lighter, more playful, and more accessible. The balance between nostalgia and modern wearable pieces is well struck. From presentation to hair and shoes, styling is cohesive. The pastel platforms, the bouffant hair, and the backdrop all come together, making the runway feel like a dream sequence. Visual hooks that work well for fashion editors, bloggers, street style, everything.

At times, there's so much going on—colour, cut-out, silhouette—that some looks start to feel busy. A more distilled section might have made the collection even more powerful: pick fewer maximal pieces and let them breathe. While many pieces will translate well to high-end summer events or editorial shoots, others (such as cut-out gowns and platforms) may be less practical for day-to-day use. It's not worse for this, but it's a trade-off Costelloe seems willing to make. The theme is strong, but occasionally the vintage touches and modern cuts collide in ways that feel slightly forced, like trying too hard to tick every box of what people imagine "Sixties glamour" to be. Some parts might benefit from subtler referencing rather than complete pastiche.

The sherbet-orange cut-out gown-it's showy, but styled right with minimal accessories, it can slay at a gala. The pastel yellow twinsets are cute, sunny, and perfect for brunch or resort wear. Sky-blue trapeze minis are fun, flirty, and great content for reels. One way to make this collection more wearable is to pair a swing tweed coat with jeans and a simple tee, or match a pastel mini dress with a neutral blazer. Platforms can be swapped for block heels if needed. Bouffant hair is back on the mood board: oversized sunglasses, pearly nail polish, bold earrings-all good complements. Shoes, when platformed, should match the colour blocking or contrast softly (think pastel vs. creamy neutrals) to avoid overwhelming the look.

Paul Costelloe's Boulevard of Dreams SS26 is a love letter to 1960s California, glamorous, colourful, and unapologetically fun. It reminds us that fashion doesn't always have to rein in drama; sometimes the mood calls for over-the-top sweetness and shine.

For Costelloe, this is not just an exercise in nostalgia, but an innovative pivot: taking what he does best-tailoring, heritage, polish-and dressing them in optimism. Whether you love it for its fantasy or want to pick the pieces that fit your reality, there's a lot here to admire.