Robert Wun has built a distinctive reputation by treating couture as a form of storytelling. Born in Hong Kong and based in London, Wun became the first Hong Kong designer to join the Paris Haute Couture Calendar, making his debut in 2023. His work is known for dramatic silhouettes, theatrical construction, and an ability to transform familiar ideas into highly imaginative fashion.
For his Fall/Winter 2026-2027 collection, Wun decided to explore a side of his creative world that was considerably lighter. Named Childsplay, the collection looks at childhood as a period of simplicity, imagination, and freedom before adulthood introduces layers of complexity. The designer was interested in the contrast between the phrase “child’s play,” which can suggest that something is easy or unsophisticated, and the extraordinary craftsmanship normally associated with haute couture.
That idea became a visual journey through childhood and growing up. Wun drew inspiration from fairy tales, toys, dreams, and childhood fantasies, including familiar ambitions such as becoming a ballerina or an astronaut. The collection also reflected his interest in Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, whose stories often appear accessible to children while carrying deeper themes and emotions for adults. The runway itself was transformed into an imaginative environment filled with playful references, colorful shapes, balloons, toys, and storybook imagery.
The clothes followed that imaginative progression while retaining Wun’s unmistakable sense of drama. Early looks featured white garments marked with colorful, childlike embroidery, before the collection developed into brighter colors, exaggerated proportions, sculptural forms, and fantastical characters. Some designs referenced familiar fairy-tale figures, while others incorporated oversized accessories and unexpected objects. The result was deliberately theatrical, showing how haute couture can function as both fashion and visual narrative.
For Davika Hoorne, who watched the show from the front row, the appeal went beyond the individual dresses. She admired the creativity and hard work behind the collection and the way each piece seemed to contain its own story. That reaction captures what makes Wun’s approach so compelling. Rather than simply presenting beautiful garments, he creates a world around them, encouraging viewers to imagine the emotions, characters, and memories behind every look.
With Childsplay, Wun effectively turned the idea of growing up into a couture narrative. Childhood begins with simplicity and imagination, while adulthood often brings seriousness, responsibility, and complexity. His collection suggests that growing older does not necessarily mean abandoning the imaginative part of ourselves. Instead, it can mean carrying that sense of wonder forward and finding new ways to express it. In Wun’s hands, childhood is not something to leave behind, but a creative language that can make haute couture feel fresh, playful, and deeply personal.
