Shanghai Fashion Week SS15 Preview
Words by Echo Gu
As the world’s eyes are on China’s emerging design scene, Shanghai Fashion Week (October 15-23) has become one to watch. Until recently a showcase for international brands, it is now being led by some of the best homegrown designers and in turn has become a powerful fashion week ticket in its own right.This year for the first time, there was a showroom presentation during London Fashion Week, demonstrating the power of the East on every market. Lane Crawford is proud to celebrate the boldest and brightest Shanghai Fashion Week to date.
One to Watch: Qiu Hao
Qiu Hao is one of the few independent designers to enjoy both commercial and critical success. Much lauded, Qiu started his womenswear collection after graduating from the prestigious Central Saint Martins college in London. His directional style veers towards the avant-garde, but remains utterly wearable, perfectly capturing the sensibilities of the modern Chinese woman.
One to Watch: Wang Haizhen
Educated in the UK, but originally from Dalian in China, Wang built up an impressive CV before creating his eponymous label in 2010. Having worked for well-known European companies All Saints, Boudicca and MaxMara, Wang’s sophisticated yet edgy aesthetic has been grounded with a refined knowledge of immaculate craftsmanship.By winning the Fashion Fringe prize in 2012, Wang became the first Chinese designer to show during London Fashion Week and this season will mark his second showing in Shanghai. I especially look forward to seeing the collection, which will focus on structural tailoring.
Don’t Miss: Dong Liang
Charles Wang and Ron Nam’s Beijing and Shanghai concept store showcases the best of cutting-edge Chinese design. For the second time at Shanghai Fashion Week, the boutique will run a day of shows on October 22 featuring its stable of designers. Last season, Dong Liang invited both media and designers to hold interactive talks and sessions between shows, so I very much look forward to attending them again this season.
Shi Tang: Showroom Shanghai
Founded by fashion critic Lin Jian, fashion buyer Yin Jiasheng and investor Yang Tong in April this year, Shi Tang is the first local designers showroom at Shanghai Fashion Week. Y’s will be showing and I am curious to see what impact this will create in the mix of Chinese designers.
Take a Break: Chirps & Mews Books & Café
Founded by three Shanghai publisher-designers, this café-bookstore specialises in interactive pop-up books for adults and children. To me it somehow represents what Shanghai is like now, with new and modern things happening at rapid speed, but retaining an old sensibility that still shows through.