Throngs of fashion designers, reporters, celebrities and buyers descended for the city’s
biannual Shanghai Fashion Week which runs until April 15. Part of the week’s key offerings include a series of shows from established and emerging domestic Chinese brands.
A creation by Lan Yu at Shanghai Fashion Week.
One example was Ban Xiao Xue, winner of the Woolmark Award in China in 2012, who showed a range of romantic looks in white and black, replete with textures and prints. Whilst the show was full of ideas, a smaller and more cohesive collection would have been better.
A look from at Shanghai Fashion Week.
There were also a number of satellite events. The Hub, a trade show fair, which originated in Hong Kong, made a splash with its second show in Shanghai. The fair provided a strong start, with British names such as House of Holland, Fashion East and Ryan Lo presenting shows as part of a growing expansion into the Chinese market.
A creation by Gao Feng and Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano.
“I only knew two names in China from the fashion industry before this show,” says Lo, who admits that his profile in China is not that high. “I’m hoping to meet new buyers and find stockists this week.”
A look from Han Lulu’s autumn-winter 2016 collection.
Also supplementing the fashion shows were a series of presentations, hosted by new showroom concept Labelhood, a business that works with some of China’s most innovative and emerging designers.
A look by Zhu Chongyun.
One standout was Haizhen Wang, who showcased a collection with elongated sleeves, structured coats and raw hemlines. Another was Shenzhen-based FFIXXED Studios, which explored ideas of sustainability by weaving together leftover fabric from previous seasons.
It will be interesting to see what the rest of Shanghai Fashion Week will bring.
