How KidSuper Continues to Reach for the Stars

The Paris Fashion Week SS26 season may be well and over but the bold, thoughtful statements and eclectic pieces presented are anything but far from our minds. Amongst standout collections via Saint Laurent, Rick Owens, and Hermés the KidSuper SS26 Menswear collection brought a particularly unique energy and level of childlike whimsy to the forefront. 

KidSuper has an extensive history when it comes to pushing boundaries in the luxury fashion and streetwear spaces. His earlier career was fully based in streetwear, collaborating with giants Puma and BAPE, and even releasing a series of jerseys with PlayStation. Yet for his spring menswear collection, he decided to elevate his stylized, professional pieces by embracing his childlike wonder and imagination.

On June 28th Colm Dillane, creator and lead designer at KidSuper, closed the day at the acclaimed Musée des Arts Décoratifs with 36 looks and a grand centerpiece: a themed Mercedes Benz.

Titled, “The Boy Who Jumped The Moon,” KidSuper’s runway show took an untraditional approach to fashion by being based on a children’s fairytale—which he wrote and published himself. The stage show is anchored in a larger-than-life storybook display with models, quite literally, leaping from the pages. KidSuper has never been afraid of color in his work; however, this show takes it to new heights.

The base of the story follows a boy who doesn’t allow the small, sometimes trivial, things to stop him from achieving his dreams. Throughout the story, we see him interacting with various characters and gathering communities to aid him on his journey.

KidSuper’s detailed work was extraordinary during this show: the large storybook background was hand-painted, traditional silhouettes were deconstructed, an immersive color story was told, and the handmade looks were effectively incorporated with unconventional handbags and various props. The clothes felt as if they were an extension of the story, not separate from it.

“I think the revolutionary aspect within fashion isn’t necessarily the clothing, it’s the concept, it’s how it’s being displayed, it’s what you’re doing to present it, how are you bringing people in.”

Coming from New York City, Dillane brings a major metropolitan influence into his work; the construction of the suits, layering with jackets and heavy overcoats, playing with briefcases and hand accessories, and incorporating mural-esque art into the fabric. Overall, Dillane creates an immersive experience that complements the visual storytelling shown to Parisian audiences.

Yet, before KidSuper, it was simply Colm Dillane: a previous NYU graduate with a degree in mathematics and a casual interest in fashion. Previously there has been some discourse about his place within the industry before committing to present at Paris Fashion Week.

In previous interviews Colm Dillane spoke out about his experiences as an emerging designer, revealing how it all felt surreal to be in proximity to established and recognizable brands:

”It was very much a little bit of a joke that everybody ended up taking very seriously. Then I had to follow through and take it incredibly seriously. I wanted to do it because it was a challenge. I saw it as ‘I don’t think people believe that I can do this.’ ”

The story continues with the protagonist facing hardships that set him back, each a bit more enduring than the last. Still, it doesn’t deter him from reaching for the moon. With the onlookers seeing his determination, everyone rallies together to help this young boy reach his dreams. Much like Dillane, who didn’t let his fear stop him from committing to this event and delivering an amazing, captivating show:

“What I love is that you can break into Paris Fashion Week and make people notice you if you do it incredibly well. That concept to me was awesome. I thought, “I can compete with Hermes and Dior and Louis Vuitton.” It’s not that I don’t like fashion — I mean I do and I don’t — but I’m more inspired by challenges and how I can be creative in different spaces and work ethic.”

“You may not like the clothes; they might be too bright, too colourful, but you have to respect the work ethic.”

Dillane expands on this in an exclusive conversation with Paris Fashion Week, where he reflects on the turning point of KidSuper blurring the lines between creative company and fashion brand. He reflects on how he kept his edge during the pandemic, how he had to change how he thought about the boundaries of fashion to keep up.

Within the interview, Dillaine refers to his 2021 stop-motion film of his Summer/Spring 21 collection for the “Everything’s Fake Until It’s Real” Paris Fashion Week. It’s a 10-minute, fully animated in-house film that tests the boundaries of a fashion viewing experience.

This experiment by Dillane captured everything, in his own words, 

“And what’s cool about stop motion is whether you like it or not, you respect it. It’s taking inanimate objects and bringing them life. And what’s more KidSuper than that?”

Colm Dillane’s desire to challenge himself on the largest stages in the world continues to cement his “street cred” within the fashion world. Paris Fashion Week SS26 was more than just a show; it was a critical step in the evolution of KidSuper, a creative, a designer, a brand and community. His menswear line showed audiences his passion, pride, and dedication towards uplifting his craft.