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| A Shiatzy chen design |
Cubism,
childhood memories, colourful landscapes. These were all joyously reflected in Shiatzy Chen’s 2014 spring/summer collection during Paris Fashion Week, which
ended Oct. 2.
After 35
years in the fashion business, the label’s chief designer Wang Chen Tsai-Hsia
gave herself free rein to “splash out”, as she incorporated some of her boldest
colours to date in youthful yet stylish garments.
Dazzling
orange, vivid reds, soft pinks, and imperial yellow contrasted with pale cream
hues and black geometric lines, all on luxurious fabrics such as satin and
silk. Added to this was the innovative use of traditional embroidery, as Chen
played with the features of Chinese opera masks as well as ink paintings.
“She has
really evolved,” said Jin Zhu, a fashion-media professional from Shanghai,
China. “The collection was a little bit girly, and she added some sporty
elements.”
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| A detail from a blouse. |
“She was
channelling Picasso and other artists,” added her colleague Vico Mao, also from
Shanghai.
Jin and Ma
were just two of the scores of viewers from Asia who came to France to see the
collections of Chen and other designers. The crowds at Chen’s shows in
particular have grown tremendously since she began participating in Paris
Fashion Week over the past decade.
Presented at
the iconic Grand Palais, the latest show drew celebrities as well as art-lovers
who’ve become enamoured of Chen’s signature style, which blends an Eastern
vogue with Western tailoring. The A-line skirts and straight-cut pants,
combined with the fabrics, could be worn to any event demanding a certain level
of sophistication.
In fact,
several women in the audience showed off designs from Chen’s fall/winter
collection, presented at the same venue earlier this year. One outfit that got
the cameras clicking comprised a gold brocade skirt and jacket, worn by someone
who seemed to be some sort of celebrity. We were too busy to ask her name. -
J.M. De Clercq & L. McKenzie
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| Shiatzy Chen |
