The bustling Chinese city of Shenzhen transported their designs to the US, providing an infusion of culture into the designs showcased during New York Fashion Week. Shenzhen, which boasts a large garment district, is also considered China’s hub for innovative designs, overall aiming to open the gates for communication between Chinese designers and the US fashion market.
The show opened with the spring collection from designer Guoxin Xia of Ellassay. Immediately, one could see the collection was conceived with a modern woman in mind. The pieces presented by Ellassay were ready to wear at its finest, consisting of multiple garments that could easily transition off the runways. The designs spied included boxy shapes, lots of loose fitting shift dresses and easy pieces created with jersey knits and chiffon – alongside effective use of the basic pigments of black and white in the collection’s bluster of prints.
However, spring did emerge in a few of the garments, as beautiful milky white items sashayed down the runway, some ornamented with vines of blue floral patterns down its seams and sleeves. Likewise, the gradient shades of blues and lime green appeared in tweed pieces. But nothing compared to the frocks displayed, containing hues of creme, mauve, and hints of hologrammed metallic.
Next, as the lights flickered, music switched and signs changed – considering Ellassay’s exceptional designs, guests were unsure of what was to follow, yet the subsequent designs of Deng Hao were nothing short of beautiful.
From the start, each creation slowly brought out by the models was gorgeous, many featuring silhouettes reminiscent of traditional Chinese culture. All the pieces featured sheer design heavy elements, including crimson floral embellishments, instances of leopard, even a print that viewed like a stained glass church window. I have to say that everything presented in Hao’s collection was utterly angelic, resembling art in its own right.
Trends spotted: Ellassay: Asymmetrical tops, gingham, cross-patterned prints, hologram fabrics, boxy silhouettes, head scarves tied to the side and draped in the front, and blacks/whites for spring. Deng Hao: Sheer fabrics, florals, fringed kimonos and sequined embellishments.
My rating: The presentation that was Fashion Shenzhen was amazing, I loved the practicality of Ellassay’s collection (which included tons of possible trends for spring 2014) which complimented the complete whimsical beauty of Deng Hao’s gorgeous garments.
My favorite look: Ellassay: The collarless icy white belted short-suit featuring hologram details along the jacket’s front zipper. Deng Hao: The finale ball-gown with long sheer sleeves, heavy beading, sequins and one amazing bustle that allowed the gown to float down the runway.
Deng Hao
PHOTOS: GETTY
