8 Chinese Fashion Designers You Should Know
China today no longer holds the stereotype of “mass-produced and low-quality products and clothing”. Many young, talented, Chinese designers are coming to the fore bringing transcendent attitude and clever concepts.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the new generation of Chinese fashion designers you should know.
Chi Zhang: CHI ZHANG
Chi Zhang is a graduate from Istituto Marangoni Italia.
Chi Zhang lived abroad for eight and a half years. Chi has already established his own brand in the UK and has achieved some success. In 2008, he returned to China to start his own business. While the majority of the Chinese population blindly followed foreign trends, Chi Zhang made his focus on “Made in China”. His astonishing cut and visual effects have earned him a strong fan following base. His designs are meant to protect the environment by incorporating gas masks, which has become a recognizable label of CHI ZHANG.
CHI ZHANG 2017AW
Liushu Lei & Yutong Jiang: SHUSHU/TONG
SHUSHU/TONG was created by a couple born in the 90’s (Liushu Lei & Yutong Jiang) in 2014. They graduated from The London College of Fashion. Their designs contain a modern touch of independence combined with a sweet girl sensation, interesting and recognizable. You will be amazed simply at a glance.
SHUSHU/TONG 2017AW
SHUSHU/TONG 2018SS
Lu Yan: COMIME MOI
Lu Yan is one of the earliest Chinese supermodels who had the honor of receiving approval by the international fashion industry. A large number of Chinese people started to adore her when she established her brand "COMIME MOI" in 2013. COMIME MOI products have good quality and target young, confident, independent urban ladies with personalities. The design has two main styles: smart casual and easy chic. Many Chinese celebrities enjoy her designs, and even American fashion model Karlie Kloss wore COMIME MOI's white dress to attend Vogue China's 10th Anniversary.
COMIME MOI 2017AW
Cheng Peng: CHENG PENG
Cheng Peng created his own brand “CHENG PENG” in London in 2015, and Cheng even had the opportunity to present his design at London Fashion Week of the same year. Before designing, Cheng was a makeup artist for 7 years. He never designed with the consideration of fat or thin, beautiful or ugly, Cheng believes personality is the most important piece of his design. His concept of design is known as “One-size Fashion”, which means there’s only one size for his clothes and every single person can fit into them. American singer and artist Rihanna once wore a pink down jacket by CHENG PENG, and even many magazines have featured his designs.
CHENG PENG design featured on magazines
Rihanna In CHENG PENG
Xu Zhi: XU ZHI
Xu Zhi initially started his own studio in London but soon after launched his name brand after graduating from Central St Martin's College in 2014. In 2015, he successful shortlisted in the semi-finals of H&M Design Award and again, he shortlisted the LVMH Award in March 2016. Xu Zhi’s fabrics are very fastidious, and all of his products are hand-made. Because of the special new fabrics, every time when you wear his clothes and an unexpected ripping occurs, it actually transforms into a new innovation to the design and will in result makes the clothes even more unique. He held two shows in 2017, one in Shanghai, China and one in Milan, Italy. Both were sponsored by Armani.
Angel Chen: ANGEL CHEN
This 90’s girl created her brand in 2014. Her graduation collection of “Les Noces” from Central St Martin's College shocked the fashion world in the UK. Vogue, I-D and other magazines presented her design at that time and commended it was the top 5 graduation design. Her design contains a bold personality and borrows many Chinese characters slogans. Angel Chen understands that incorporating a sense of rebellion will draw the attention of many fashionable personals.
Slogan on clothes
Graduation design “Les Noces Wedding”
ANGEL CHEN 2017AW
Liu Hao: Ms MIN
Liu Hao is the founder of “Ms MIN” which was established in 2010. British actress Rosamund Pike wore Ms MIN’s 2015 F/W collection in the motion picture “Gone Girl”. Ms MIN’s 2017 S/S collection uses many satin fabrics and embroidery on it. Chinese traditional totem is often incorporated into the designs by Liu Hao while also displaying a modern touch. Ms MIN originally started off from its online store on Taobao.com and today it is being sold in Lane Crawford. Ms Min designer Liu Hao was also invited to attend to Met Gala in 2014. Ms MIN launched its limited makeup collaboration with M.A.C April 2017.
Ms MIN 2017SS
Collaboration with M.A.C
Mika Lee: Awaylee
Different from many Chinese young designers, Mika Lee doesn’t have any overseas educational background. She has been a fashion editor and a manager of a French clothing brand, Etam. Mika Lee established her brand “Awaylee” in 2012, and it is growing at an amazing speed in recent years. In 2012, Mika Lee spent $100,000USD to start her debut, and it was break-even. Today, the annual turnover is almost $100 billion USD. Translucent and opaque fabrics are usually used in Awaylee’s designs. Soft fabrics Combined with unique cut and shapes, Awaylee has a romantic touch while still displaying toughness1.
Awaylee has since been a favorite Asian brand of Italian Vogue. It appeared on the pages of an Italian Vogue for several times, and even on Vogue Italy’s Instagram account with several postings.
Awanylee 2017AW
Chinese designers are ever-growing along with the booming fashion industry of China. In no time, the works of these designers will surely become must-have labels among the fashion elites around the world.
