LIE SANG BONG SINGS A MODERN SONG

Ending Paris Fashion week on a youthful, trendy note, Lie Sang Bong showcased geometric designs, gleaming leather, and ultra-modern platform shoes for a memorable show that contrasted with those of his peers.

The Korean designer, who is gaining a following among young fashionistas, stood out from many other designers in that his ready-to-wear collection actually seemed ready to wear. You could go into a store, buy it off the rack, and step out looking casually original.

 

Lie’s Fall/Winter 2013-2014 collection also had a slightly retro aspect as some of the cuts seemed to recall the Sixties.

The pants were straight-legged and ankle-baring, and the platforms looked like they had come off the dance floor from back in the day.

On most of his models, Lie mixed a single, cheeky colour with black or white, all merged into a minimalistic pattern. He finished the look off with some refined Asian touches, and traces of pelt.

Each model wore similar sneaker-platforms, white or black, but with streaks of painted-on colour to match the main piece or to bring it all together. 

The lack of high heels made the models seem confident and comfortable in the outfits, appealing to those who want to look fashionable yet feel relaxed.

The models’ faces had single silver stripes alongside the eyes, corresponding to the hair, shoes and outfit, for an overall unconventional feel.  - J.M. DE CLERCQ and L. MCKENZIE

SHIATZY CHEN SCORES AGAIN WITH VIBRANT EAST-WEST MIX

A fiery red Chen design- 2013

Shiatzy Chen has done it again, setting the standard for colour, elegance and boldness all combined, during Paris Fashion Week.

The show started with cool, catchy French music about the Eiffel tower, but a few seconds later, a Chinese beat entered just as the models began their glide down the catwalk. From the first design of stunning Asian fabrics mixed with a Western cut, oohs and aahs escaped from the audience.

Bright colours such as orange, green, gold, and turquoise were incorporated onto leather, fur and silk, and finished with a lace edging or an ornate brooch.

An all-black piece with dazzling necklace

There was black too, but always with an eye-catching, dazzling accessory  or an audacious necklace. Other times,  the layered outfit was in one colour, such as red, and blended exuberance with grace.

In this Fall/Winter 2013-2014 ready-to-wear collection, designer Chen played with materials and tapestries inspired from the Tang Dynasty – a prosperous period for China lasting for over 300 years – and fitted in Western tailoring, accessories and shoes.

Each creation was always topped off (or bottomed off) with a variety of footwear, including patent-leather knee-high boots, high-heeled lace-up booties, pumps, or peep-toes.

Some of the designs were complemented by a jade and gold brooch in the shape of a stallion, diamond necklaces, or bejewelled clutches. - J.M. DE CLERCQ & L. MCKENZIE

Red Chen one-shoulder dress with bejeweled pin

TURBANS, SEQUINS AND TUNICS: THIS IS MANISH'S WORLD

Arora's 2013-2014 ready-to-wear collection

Along with the movie stars, the outlandishly dressed bloggers and the legions of buyers, Paris Fashion Week stands out increasingly for the number of Asian designers showing their collections.

The latest event, which began on Feb. 26 and ends March 6, features established Japanese designers and rising Korean and Chinese stars, but it is Indian stylist Manish Arora who has had people talking over the past days.

Arora brought his unique brand of effervescence to the runway, with his models strutting to Bollywood music, while wearing lively and playful designs that integrated traditional Indian sytles with a very modern look.. Turbans, scarves and tunics were turned into wearable art in his show.

Arora combines unlikely colours.

Arora, who made his debut here in 2007, was one of about 14 Asian designers showing Fall/Winter 2013-2014 ready-to-wear collections, in an extravaganza that  predictably starred the leading European names of fashion such as Christian Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Valentino, Givenchy and Nina Ricci, as well as “newer” designers such as Stella McCartney and Paul & Joe.

The renowned Asian fashion houses, including Issey Miyake of Japan, have so far had well-received shows, but it is the younger designers that are now seizing the world stage.

A 2009 Arora creation 

“As a display of Indian craftsmanship, the effects were extraordinary,” veteran fashion reporter Suzy Menkes once wrote of Arora’s collection. “The compressions of bright color and explosion of nature’s butterflies and beasts brought the spirit of exotic India to Paris.”

Arora, 39 years old, spends months working with craftsmen in his studio in New Delhi, and he is determined to dazzle the sometimes bored-looking spectators who converge on these shows.

Back in 2009, he recruited the make-up artist Kabuki to decorate his model’s faces with sequins and symmetric bars of bright hues to add even more excitement to the costumes.

This year, he mixed improbable colours such as pink and yellow and threw in sequins and fur for a look that screamed: “try to top this”.

Arora told Tasshon that he believes that young Asian designers are attracting fans internationally because their work is “very genuine and very creative” in certain ways.

“They want to make a mark in Europe and that’s what makes them try harder,” he said. “At least that’s the situation in my case.” - J.M. DE CLERCQ and L. MCKENZIE