This story originally appeared on i-D China.
While Paris, London, Milan and New York take a moment to breathe post-fashion week, it’s all been kicking off in Shanghai. Showcasing local designers’ AW23 collections, the shows provided not just a reason for creatives to come together and celebrate the work of young talent, but also for us to check out the fashion choices of China’s best and brightest.
After last year’s strict lockdown put everything on pause, the return of Shanghai Fashion Week has been eagerly embraced by the industry and beyond. i-D China sent photographer Stone along to capture the undefeated spirit of the city and its globally connected youth.
Xia Mao, student
Which brand are you most excited to see at fashion week?
Linlin Chasse, AO YES 凹是, CPLUS SERIES.
Tell us about your outfit today.
I made this tiny skirt. I’ve wanted to try wearing a skirt for a while now but I couldn’t find one that I liked, so I made one.
How would you describe your style？
I like vintage — mixing classic looks with a bit of rebellion.
What would you say is the biggest trend in Shanghai right now？
For me, it’s people who can just be themselves.
What’s at the top of your wish list？
An amazing Junya Watanabe tee that I saw in a vintage store yesterday.
Who is your style icon？
Faye Wong.
Yvonne Du, digital content creator
Which brand are you most excited to see at fashion week?
Mark Gong.
Tell us about your outfit today.
I’m embracing neon and body positivity.
How would you describe your style in general？
Mix and match — kind of like a vintage granny.
What would you say is the biggest trend in Shanghai right now？
The weird girl aesthetic makes everyone a curator, meaning we can layer up different looks across our bodies. It’s kinda hard to develop a new style in this era, so instead we’re adopting a collage of previous styles.
What’s at the top of your wish list？
Recently I’ve been into sustainable fashion, so I’m cutting back on my materialistic desires and looking for more secondhand stuff.
Who is your style icon？
I love classic leading ladies like Marlene Dietrich. In recent years though, I think Bella Hadid‘s outfits are very impressive. I like people who have a strong personal style.
Cvalda, CSM grad and stylist
Which brand are you most excited to see at fashion week?
Linlin Chasse, I like their theatrical aspect.
Tell us about your outfit today.
I like old stuff, so I am wearing a lot of vintage pieces. I’m wearing oil painting prints to recapture the mid-century feels.
How would you describe your style in general？
I shift a lot; it really depends on my mood that day.
What would you say is the biggest trend in Shanghai right now？
There’s probably more focus on appreciating fabric and silhouette than just being limited to an obvious trend.
What’s at the top of your wish list？
The GCDS mermaid set.
Who is your style icon？
Vivienne Westwood.
Pudou & Xiao Zi 小紫, PRs
Which brand are you most excited to see at fashion week?
Any Rick Owens and Balenciaga type brands.
Tell us about your outfit today.
Simple and all-black.
How would you describe your style in general?
Simple and comfortable.
What would you say is the biggest trend in Shanghai right now？
Clean lines. Though colourful vintage is also trending too.
What’s at the top of your wish list？
Everything from Rick Owens — we’d be about 6ft wearing his shoes!
Who are your style icons?
We don’t have go-to people, we prefer to put our own spin on things.
Namevarg, stylist & director
Which brand are you most excited to see at fashion week?
Linlin Chasse.
Tell us about your outfit today.
My friend wore a very floral outfit, and wanted me to match her, so I also wore floral pieces.
How would you describe your style？
A printed carpet illustration.
What would you say is the biggest trend in Shanghai right now？
Beautiful headgear.
Who is your style icon？
I don’t have a specific person, but I love vintage.
David Yang 杨英格, musician
Which brand are you most excited to see at fashion week?
Mark Gong & Sultry Virgin, I love their Y2K style.
Tell us about your outfit today.
I’ve always loved the hippie look. I think comfort is the most important thing when it comes to your outfit.
How would you describe your style in general？
Very laid back — I love vintage and the fact that clothing has a history.
What would you say is the biggest trend in Shanghai right now？
People have been gradually moving away from particular trends and finding their own style instead. That’s becoming very obvious in Shanghai — finding yourself!
What’s at the top of your wish list？
The perfect pair of jeans.
Who is your style icon？
Kurt Cobain. I love 90s grunge style, and also Dominic Fike and Oh Hyuk오혁.
Zoety, label owner
Which brand are you most excited to see at fashion week?
SHUSHU/TONG.
Tell us about your outfit today.
I wanted to be comfortable, not too flashy. I feel everyone is trying very hard, so I just want to be myself.
What would you say is the biggest trend in Shanghai right now？
The word “trend” is quite unpopular; it’s important to find your own style.
What’s at the top of your wish list？
I want every single pair of sunglasses from Balenciaga AW23.
Who is your style icon？
I still like Demna a lot because he’s really doing something different in the fashion world right now, both in terms of fabric and concept.
Arana, PR
Which brand are you most excited to see at fashion week?
Something influenced by Chinese culture — SHUSHU/TONG is great.
Tell us about your outfit today.
I’m quite a colourful person. I used to have colourful hair but recently dyed it back to black, so I chose to wear some colours to balance it out.
How would you describe your style in general？
I just wear whatever I like, it really doesn’t matter what others think.
What would you say is the biggest trend in Shanghai right now？
Designers are referencing Chinese culture in their work more. Silhouettes are also starting to highlight women’s curves, probably because of the women’s uprising, which I think is a good trend.
Who is your style icon？
I really like the aesthetic of Tim Walker’s photography. I used to go to his exhibitions when I was at school in London. He’s a very colourful and wild person.
Zhao Hang 赵航, model
Tell us about your outfit today.
I didn’t put too much effort into it.
How would you describe your style in general？
Diverse.
What would you say is the biggest trend in Shanghai right now？
The trend is to be influenced by the internet — people still don’t have any taste of their own.
Who is your style icon？
I don’t have one, but I love to talk to people about fashion.
Yu, PR & producer
Which brand are you most excited to see at fashion week?
Linlin Chasse, Sultry Virgin, Selala Gu.
Tell us about your outfit today.
I’m wearing easy, oversized outerwear… with heat pads inside to keep warm!
How would you describe your style in general？
Ever-changing according to the season and weather.
What would you say is the biggest trend in Shanghai right now？
Stockings, but I don’t think I could pull that off.
What’s at the top of your wish list？
Linlin Chasse’s rose jumper.
Who is your style icon？
Bella Hadid.
Lee Yang 李睿洋, musician
Which brand are you most excited to see at fashion week?
Anybody brave.
Tell us about your outfit today.
This is what I’m comfortable in.
How would you describe your style in general？
Generally quite understated but not afraid of colour.
What would you say is the biggest trend in Shanghai right now？
I don’t think trends are very popular anymore, you can just feel free to be yourself.
What’s at the top of your wish list？
A very good microphone.
Who is your style icon？
Dylan Rieder.
Credits
All photography Stone