Designers

Shang Xia SS22 delivers super-luxe fashion for a future generation



Shang Xia SS22 PFW

An invigorating, palate-cleansing debut from Yang Li at Shang Xia SS22 yesterday.

The Beijing-born, Australia-raised designer showed his futuristic luxury vision for gen-2050 in a quest to put Chinese design centre stage. “It’s like imagining an empty chair at a round table of luxury fashion brands that should be for a Chinese representative. What a great mission to embark on. We’re going to give it our best go,” Li told Vogue.

As a breather from the maximalist showbiz of Fashion Month so far, we saw 90s-flavoured unlined leather coats and flat-front pants with signature Yang Li cape-detail dresses in fabrics that look deceptively simple from afar but I’m sure are ravishing when seen – and felt – in the flesh. Offsetting the sleek black separates were pops of neon orange and yellow on waistbands, box bags and surprisingly wearable trousers. The cool-girl casting and minimalist styling added to the appeal for me, not least as Joe McKenna was styling the show. (more…)



SS22 trend report: Bodycon, but make it body positive



Acielle street style SS22

To get a real sense of next season trends, I like to look at Acielle’s (Aka Style Du Monde) Fashion Month street style photography. Not so much the super-peacock types, but the ones wearing denim with interesting tops and choice accessories. That’s the best way to see a more ‘everyperson’ way of wearing fashion.

My big takeaway for SS22 is the almost universal appetite for barely-there, bodycon and cutaway clothing. It was first evident to me at Collina Strada and Eckhaus Latta at New York Fashion Week. What was interesting about those designers’ treatments was the body positivity expression. Eckhaus Latta especially took a 1990s influence and added a decidedly inclusive 2020s interpretation (below). (more…)



Yang Li is now creative director of Shang Xia



Yang Li Shang Xia

Great news for fans of Yang Li. He is now creative director of Shang Xia, the Chinese luxury brand founded in 2010 by Hermès and Qiong Er Jiang. Now majority owned by Italian holding company Exor, it will stage its first ever show at Paris Fashion Week on October 4th.

Until this point, Shang Xia has exemplified the quiet luxury vibe of Hermès, focusing on ‘good taste’ craftsmanship and style designed for longevity. But as hype culture accelerates in the luxury space, some wonder if we’ll now see the brand looking to attract a younger, cooler crowd. Definitely one to watch. (more…)



Shop the post: Sweaters are the new sweats



The Row AW21

If 2020 was all about sweats, I think autumn 2021 will be all about the return to sweaters. That comfort and cosiness is still our moda operandi but with an additional layer of polish. Here are a few of my recommendations…

ROLLNECKS. Slimfitting rollnecks are used as both a styling device and an extra layer. They look good in a contrasting colour to what’s worn on top, and I particularly love the contrast of a fitted rollneck under an oversized crew neck knit or shirt. Try COS for lightweight merino wool* and Brunello Cucinelli for winter white short sleeves*. (more…)