Shanghai Fashion Week, Part 2: Everything Else (Almost)

Given that I'm weeks behind on posting (surprise!), I've opted to format my SFW posts (there will be 3 parts in total) in the least labor-intensive way. Thus, below I present to you 3 separate groups of pictures from 3 different designers' shows. I also haven't said anything about the pictures because I'm too lazy to comment at the moment, but it might be better this way as you can form you personal and uninfluenced opinions about whether the shows are actually any good or not.

The first show worth noting was from Chen Ping (her brand is Pari Chen), who consistently presents collections that all shapes and sizes can realistically wear. They look bad from this perspective unfortunately, but you get the gist... I hope:









The second show was undeniably Coko Wan, from the lighting to the music to the styling. This is certainly a younger aesthetic, vastly different from Chen Ping, but still impressively established... and diversity is a positive thing, right?:









And last but not least is Uma! Uma Wang, that is. Anyway, this was her first time at SFW, an interesting move for a young designer soon to show at Paris Fashion Week this October... But more power to her for supporting her local fashion system, as she is certainly a product of Shanghai. I hope you loyal Uma über-fans are satiated for the time-being:

Shanghai Fashion Week, Part 1

So I know I'm super late by blogging standards with regard to reporting on Shanghai Fashion Week, but whatever, SFW itself was late by international fashion standards (April 8 - April 13 for FW10... what??!?).

Despite its relative tardiness, I would have to say that it was leaps and bounds above last year's SFW... This year's highlights are numerous, rather than the singular Jiang Ling whom I praised last time for her collection.

In addition to Jiang Ling, this SFW featured designers like Uma Wang, Chen Ping (Pari Chen), Coko Wan, and some newcomers that are promising like Nio and Angela Chen. However, today I only have time to introduce you to the opening show for SFW by some sort of internet "fashion" retail outlet, which put my hopes for SFW at a very low starting point...

I don't know what the connection between this blue girl and fashion is, but I'm citing this as yet another reason why no one takes SFW seriously, let alone fashion as an industry in China.




There will be other, more positive posts to come in the near future, so come back!

Endorsed(?) Boutiques

Although no longer in existence, I'm still endorsing:


Pop Up Shop was opened by YOUNIK for the 5th Year Anniversary of Bund18, and this store offered something more of a gallery installation of products rather than simply a retail store. Four designers in particular caught my eye, (well, five designers, but the four-sided Birkin from SSWTR was just blogged about) so keep your eyes open for these ones!:

1 - Uma Wang with a collection of wedding dresses called "White Label", that certainly will rival the wedding collections of any other Wang designers.

2 - Coko Wan with a collection of bags, which also transform into clothes! Sorry there aren't any detail or demonstrative shots, but trust me, they are pretty witty!!

3 - Jiang Yi Ru (designer for the brands "COMING" and May J.) with a standout and very characteristic collection (the one in Pop Up Shop was her first collection for retail). I don't know how she manages a menswear AND womenswear label, but they are both very strong, especially considering her age.

4 - Angela Gao, a recent graduate from Parsons and designer extra-ordinaire, with a made-to-order AND ready-to-wear collection. Although currently available in some stores in Shanghai and New York, she also has online retail!

Again, apologies about the poor photo quality, but there will certainly be more coming from these designers soon, so keep checking back for more!

Oh, and for those of you in Shanghai, stop by the Bund18 atrium after March 31st to glimpse a hanging exhibition of Uma's White Label!!

Bund18's 5th Year Anniversary Fashion Show

Wow, I just realized how far behind I am in life... this post should have happened a long time ago, as this fashion show was held November 18th in order to commemorate Bund18's 5th Year Anniversary. However, I still think this fashion show was interesting because it showcased 6 of the best Chinese designers I can think of (there are obviously a few other legit designers that didn't show at this fashion show, but not many...)

The first two pictures come from a very new Chinese American designer, Angela Gao (www.angelagao.com). Her collection is pretty timeless, and it is now selling in YOUNIK on a made-to-order basis. All of the other designers also sell at Bund18's boutique YOUNIK and are based strictly in China, as well as some other notable designers like Mary Ching and Qiong Er. Enjoy the pictures!

Angela Gao:


Zhang Hao (aka Stephane Cheung):

Pari Chen:

Coko Wan:

Jane Zhu:

and of course, Vunderkind Uma Wang:

Vunderkind, Uma Wang!

Guess who I saw in Bund18 today? Vunderkind designer Uma Wang of course! (Uma's Site!), looking oh so fly in a pair of army-colored drop-crotch pants and a blazer silk-screened with distorted faces:


Not only was she doing her designer duties by exercising free style in the great state of China, but she was also getting down to a lot of business. She was there to discuss her participation in a fashion show in the Bund18 atrium on November 18th to commemorate Bund18's 5th Year Anniversary. She was also there to discuss her new collection being released in Bund18's special one-month store also for the 5th Year Anniversary called "Pop Up Shop by YOUNIK". Her line is called "White Label" and is a special line of made-to-order wedding dresses (you actually get to collaborate with Uma and her great assistant Nela). They are BEAUTIFUL!:


Also to note, a perennial favorite, the "Project East" fashion show at Harvard, is coming up this Saturday on November 14th, and it will also be showcasing Uma Wang and other amazing Asian and Asian American design talents! Check out their beautiful website for a sneak peak of what's to come:

www.project-east.com

The show is going to be AMAZING this year, and I'm sad I won't make it... they are showing Vera Wang, Derek Lam, Giuliano Fujiwara, and Uma! They'll also be showing up-and-coming designers from Parsons, like standout Edward Lorenz Tan who was Menswear Designer of the Year in 2009. It's bound to be wild and wildly fun, and here's a behind-the-scenes photo and an advertisement (both designs by Edward) if you're not already convinced it's going to be great... and it's all for charity! (China Tomorrow Education Foundation):

Shanghai Fashion? Week

I hope the government doesn't crack down on me for knocking their attempts at a fashion week, but I have to say that it was, well, just bad.

The most recent Shanghai Fashion Week was the first time I experienced it, and it will most likely be my last for a few seasons until I find the value in attending again. The first problem was the music... It was SO loud and über Zoolander, but I don't think there was any irony in it.

I was only able to attend a few shows because of work, but I could summarize the entire event by noting that one designer's collection looked like 20 different collections and another one used her samples from last season to present this season... I mean, Shanghai is certainly the front-runner for the fashion capital on the Mainland, but I don't think I can use the word "designer" to describe 95% of the names at Shanghai Fashion Week. These are the people to continue to stigmatize the idea of "Made in China" to 外国人, or foreigners like myself.

The good news is that there is some home-grown talent amongst all of those weeds. Most of these designers don't bother with fashion week, like the incredible Uma Wang (www.umawang.com). However, some designers see the advantage of the visibility that Fashion Week can afford a young star, and one such up-and-comer is designer Jiang Ling for "COMING". The name is silly because no one will ever be able to Google her, but perhaps Baidu will work soon. For now, you can take a peek at her collection here: