TEXTURED rubber accessories - as seen at the recent Shanghai Fashion Week - could be easily adapted for the average wardrobe.
As daunting as that may sound, it’s true.
Makin Jan Ma brought multi-textured layers in his ultra-wearable collectionOn my fourth visit to SFW last month I found key highlights and relatable trends included the intricate, textured-rubber accessories and trims from Xiao Li.
Produced in a range of colours these could easily be adapted for the wardrobe of Irish women in Britain, Ireland or anywhere else in the world.
Another enjoyable collection came from Central Saint Martin’s graduate Makin Jan Ma, who presented a humorous and quirky selection of separates on the official Xintiandi runway, some in collaboration with Disney.
Featuring bright prints, unusual materials and oversized slogan-sweaters, styling was key to unlocking the creativity of the collection, which at its core was simply a range of wearable pieces.
Layering was another key trend, evidenced in the wearable styles of Babyghost.
Their collection, based on the possibilities of deconstruction and reconstruction, featured floor-length silhouettes infused with 90s sensibilities, in lots of easy layers.
This is a look which can so easily translate to the street with very little effort needed by any of us.
Continuing in the 90s vibe was Yirintian who used luxurious fabrics including leather to craft minimal dresses and overcoats creating relaxed, flowing lines for a new take on femininity.
While most fashion followers look to London, Milan and Paris for their sartorial style notes, SFW is slowly carving a niche for itself within this ultra-competitive arena.
Its 2016 offering presented China’s most influential and prestigious brands in a range of venues across the dynamic first tier city.
The opening event featured the organising committee signing agreements of understanding with the Paris and Milan Fashion Weeks, while the unofficial schedule featured The Hub, a showcase from the UKTI and Fashion East collaborative, showcasing emerging designers including Co. Wexford-born Richard Malone.
This season also saw the introduction of Labelhood, a new experimental platform devised by SFW as a space for creatives to come together and collaborate.
At its core lies the idea of fostering talent which thus far has been a grievance of designers in China. As a result, we could all do well to keep a fashion eye on the country’s largest city.
