Diverse Expressions of "Sustainable Fashion" - Chinese Designers at Shanghai Fashion Week

On October 23rd, Shanghai Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2024 officially came to an end with the unveiling of the award-winning brands at the Shanghai Fashion Week Feast Night.

Unlike in March, when designers coincidentally expressed their joy and anticipation with brilliant colors. The designers, who have spent half a year settling down, no longer put subjective expression at the centre of their work. Their creations have become more practical, outlining a clearer future direction for their brands.

Lorenzo Hardar, founder of Los Angeles-based buyer shop H.Lorenzo, who has returned to Shanghai Fashion Week after three and a half years, describes his experience as, "I saw a lot of new designers and felt an abundance of energy input."

Sasha Jiang, the manager of THEMARKETPLACE, sensed the market acumen of Shanghai Fashion Week from the rich supporting activities. She said, "This season, it is very obvious that Shanghai Fashion Week has quickly seized the opportunity to revive the D2C consumer scene. The newly upgraded and more accessible 'Shanghai Fashion Weekend' is a very straightforward signal."

ConCall’s review from a "sustainable fashion" lens revealed a season rich in content and style.  Beyond the expected sustainable materials and manufacturing methods, designers are innovatively blending their creativity with contemporary takes on traditional culture. Moreover, they are also boldly addressing gender equality and supporting minority groups, indicating a broader, more inclusive approach to sustainable fashion.

Unconventional Expression of Chinese Elements

"Unconventional" is probably the most apt description of the way Chinese elements were presented at this fashion week. Spanning from ancient to modern times, this fashion week saw Chinese elements ranging from folklore to national culture and heritage crafts, all presented in uniquely varied styles.

"I can see the cultural confidence of Chinese designers, and many Chinese elements are being carried forward by young designers," said Ching, a buyer from a prominent Chinese retail conglomerate, describing what he heard and felt this time.

Unlike the fixed traditional "Chinese style", young designers ventured beyond the familiar, their creations are no longer limited to ink painting, embroidery and totems. They are exploring and researching in greater detail behind the scenes, expressing the more specific Chinese culture and traditions that appeal to them in a broader, more contemporary way.

fabric qorn is known for their genuine, stereotype-defying humorous take on local culture.  This season, they take people back in time to the 80s around the free-spiritedness of hippie culture and the restrained beauty of oriental culture. Their lineup featured round-sleeved Chinese jackets, sleek Zhongshan suits, childhood story inspired prints, and "shell" embroidery, artfully marrying the old with the new to tell a story of China's modern journey.<