Ten Chinese Designers Share Their Experience at New York Fashion Week SS17

In recent years, more and more Chinese designers have appeared at the four big international fashion weeks. The influence of Chinese designers on the global fashion world continues to increase. Below ten Chinese designers share their insights after attending New York Fashion Week SS17.

• Yiwei Xu (ALL COMES FROM NOTHING)

“This is the second time ALL COMES FROM NOTHING has held a show at New York Fashion Week. It is also the first time an independent designer brand has partnered with media and capital companies (this season’s show was supported by Toutiao and Unipx Media, titled TOUTIAO × ACFN).

I believe that New York Fashion Week is the most diverse showcase platform, where the most interesting designs originate, and is the most influential of the four big international fashion weeks. It is indeed a stage on which designers dream big.”

• Xinyi Xu (Vicky Zhang)

“We have been preparing designs for this season since the beginning of last year (2016). We have especially focused on incorporating luo (a light and thin type of silk) into the collection. The response we have received from US industry insiders and the media has been encouraging: they approve of our work and have expressed interest in it. New York Fashion Week is one of the four big international fashion weeks.

I am pleased to be able to showcase my work of matching outfits for children and parents at the fashion week, because it is critical for Chinese designers and their brands to become global. Attending the fashion week not only raised awareness of our brand on the international stage, but also proved to be an opportunity to exchange experiences of commercial operations with foreign brands. It was a great move for the commercialisation of our brand.”

• Taowang（Taoray Wang）

“Taoray Wang has already produced collections for five New York Fashion Weeks. Ever since our first season here, I’ve had a long-term plan to take root in New York because the goal of my brand is to provide outfits for global female industry leaders, and I believe that New York is a city that echoes our mission. I hope the New York market is accepting of our brand.

This fashion week has proved to be different from the last few. Many Upper East Side socialites and celebrities came to the show and ordered outfits from my showroom afterwards. Some ordered half the outfits, while others ordered the whole collection. This, I believe, is the best endorsement any designer can get.”

• Yu Yang（Lu Yang by Yang Lu）

“For this show, I’ve applied my signature geometry patterns and bright colours to create an elegant sports style. Putting on a show at New York Fashion Week is the coolest thing ever. This is an event that exudes both vibrant energy and inclusiveness. New York Fashion Week showcases the understanding and interpretations of young fashion designers from distinctive cultural backgrounds. It is a great occasion.” ­­ ­

• Xiuxiu Han（SYU SYU HAN）

“This is my first time attending New York Fashion Week. The schedule for my show was only set a month prior to the fashion week and so the preparation of the show was very rushed. Although the craft could be improved, the show fully expressed my belief and aesthetics as a designer. To express myself is crucial to me. This is why my collection is called ‘WHO AM I’. I regarded the fashion week as a test for myself. Since the show, through Instagram, Twitter and other social media platforms, I’ve received lots of acknowledgements and support of my style from the audience, and have also received partner invitations from several buyers in New York. To accelerate the commercialisation of my brand by attending the fashion week was just what I had hoped for.”

• Hong Song（CASHMERE SONG）

“As a Chinese brand, we are extremely glad to have showcased top quality white cashmere from Inner Mongolia and felted wool hats made using centuries-old techniques. In the future, we will release more designs using cashmere here. As a designer, we need New York Fashion Week as a platform to showcase our designs and will also continue to attend other fashion weeks to learn and to gain experience.”

• Jingya Niu（NIKISTAVIA）

“Attending New York Fashion Week granted me the opportunity talk to and learn from foreign designers, which inspires me. Designers from different cultural backgrounds all gather at the fashion week, making it an extremely inclusive event. I have studied in the UK, so the inspiration for my brand combines the Chinese and the British cultures. I hope to show the world how this independent Chinese designer interprets floral prints while making reference to both China and the West.

• Jia Liu（COMME TU ES）

“Coming to New York Fashion Week has always been my dream. The culture of New York is rich and inclusive. The city is full of opportunities and the spirit of adventure. The brands attending New York Fashion Week are relatively commercial. Trendy brands producing matching outfits for children and parents are rare at the fashion week. I discovered great potential in the New York market for this kind of design when I was researching the children’s wear market and the trendy brands available in Macy’s. I’ve yet to see any brands attempting to combine both. Therefore, I hope we will attract more buyers for our unique brand.”

• Lan Yu（LANYU）

“I am glad to have received praise for LANYU’s high-end ready-to-wear collection on its first appearance at New York Fashion Week. LANYU’s collection features high-quality craftsmanship and excellent wear-ability. For instance, the white shirt with magnolia flowers on the sleeves, worn during the show by socialite Oliva Palermo, has already become a popular item. New York Fashion Week is a fair, open and commercial platform. The fashion editors and buyers here have an extremely sharp fashion sense. You have to showcase work with a unique style and attitude. Regardless of whether it’s a couture collection or a ready-to-wear collection, LANYU’s mission is to convey the elegance of Eastern beauty. Therefore, we will continue to release collections at New York Fashion Week and the Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week every year.”

• Yucheng Luo（CALVIN LUO）

“The theme of my show is the ‘rebellious urban girl’. This was the first time I have organised a show at New York Fashion Week. There were many firsts. I learnt a lot and also found many aspects on which to improve.”