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Shanghai Fashion Week was delayed and then delayed again, by the city’s lockdowns. When it finally did go off earlier this month, the shows were mostly digital. But virtual or not, “a fierce optimism ran through the collections,” says Vogue China’s editor in chief Margaret Zhang. That goes for not just for the designers, but for the city’s other tastemakers—stylists, influencers, producers, and, yes, even a few avatars—too. Zhang sent photographers out to capture their looks. It’s Shanghai street style, just without the street.
8lackB, Influencer/Freelance Stylist
Can you describe your everyday style? Whatever works.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer?Sean Suen, Ximon Lee, Xander Zhou, there are few decent menswear designer brands in China.
66, Designer
Can you describe your everyday style? I usually wear a mix and match of vintage clothing.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? One of my favorite designers is Rei Kawakubo, her audience spans a wide range of ages, and I think that s something a brand should aspire to.
Alli Chou, Stylist
Can you describe your everyday style? I feel like I don t have a specific style as it varies for me. But I am addicted to “animal prints.”
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? I follow so many Chinese designers and Yirantian is something I’ve always liked. It gives off a young and trendy vibe, but with quality texture and solid fabric, so hot and heavy, but got that expensive look too.
Alpha, Digital Technical Developer Digital Experience @Dipaak
Can you describe your everyday style? All-white future-tech sporty look.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? The Xander Zhou and the virtual shoes Scry both have a very minimalist futuristic style, and I like them very much.
Caiyi Huang, Producer
Can you describe your everyday style? Y2K, rebellious but still a girly girl, psychedelic fused with retro-futuristic style.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer?Sultry Virgin, the rising star of Y2K in China, exudes that girly girl’s vibe while not sacrificing its premium quality.
Cherry Zhang, Producer
Can you describe your everyday style? Comfortable, effortless, maybe a little bit cute.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? With her pleating and fabric stacking, Caroline Hu created an oil painting-like couture dress that was dreamy and classy.
Clif SzeTo, Freelance Stylist
Can you describe your everyday style? I don’t really subscribe to any particular style, but I’m considered a daredevil by most for “daring to try” I guess, but I’m actually really big on comfort; for example, my favorite outfit this spring was a sweater on top of a tank top, it was easy, comfortable and exposes some skin too.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? It is so difficult to choose just one, so many talented Chinese designers manage to wow us every season. For example, Yirantian’s sharp tailoring with sexy details is a sharp interpretation of that female charm.
Eponine Huang, Actress/ Photographer
Can you describe your everyday style? A multi-layered look of vintage.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer Shushutong has been a favorite brand since its inception, with its delicate girlishness, powerful silhouettes, and the concept of imperfection and aggressiveness at every turn.
Estelle Chen, Model
Can you describe your everyday style? Simplicity is my style when it comes to everyday outfits. I was born and raised in Paris and have always worked in the fashion industry, so the French style has influenced my personal style in some way or another since I was a child. In summer, I like brighter colors, which shows vitality and energy, and allows for accessories.
Gu Xue, Model
Can you describe your everyday style? The keywords for my everyday style would include: minimalist and comfortable, mostly in black, white, and navy blue.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? I follow all of the Chinese designer brands, because they’re awesome, more and more so!
Han Xia, Film Director
Can you describe your everyday style? Punk with the characteristics of the early 2000s Beijing, with a bit of unrefined sexy flesh-exposing.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? I wear Tiptoe&Roll, the creation of my closest friends, almost every day. Lucency has long been on my radar.
Infini+
Can you describe your everyday style? I don’t think I have a distinct INFNI+ style as my style varies depending on how I feel everyday. Like the waters surrounding me, my body shape is constantly adapting to different environment—adaptive and versatile, so is my style.
Jinghan Fan, Model
Can you describe your everyday style? Comfort is the main thing, simple and casual.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer Jacques Wei, at his show, I was like, "Wow! There is this indescribable charm. So many ways to match them with. Eber also, it’s a brand I saw while surfing the internet. He took the ethnic costume of the Nomadic people of Inner Mongolia and made them into everyday clothes, which looked pretty cool.
Jumbo Tsui, Photographer/ Founder of Pour Lui
Can you describe your everyday style? Talking about style, the most conspicuous thing might be my triangular silhouette, I usually wear tight tops and excessively baggy pants. I like to use some small random accessory to complete a fundamental style logic. I don’t want to appear like a fashionista; my size makes it impossible for me to blend into the crowd, and dressing up even slightly complicated would immediately turn me into a walking signage board.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? Ximon Lee for menswear, Maya Li is one of my favorite rising stars in women’s wear. Could it be that both come from the family Li?
Liang, Visual Artist Fashion Photographer
Can you describe your everyday style? My everyday style can be called urban chic/casual.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer Xander Zhou is my all-time favorite, each season s concept is very forward-looking, and the fashion itself is very wearable and durable; Windowsen is a brand I grew to love in recent years, with high-definition details and attitude, such as the Mutants or Aliens genes; virtual shoe brand Scry, a pioneer in minimalist futurism.
Lu, Hair Stylist
Can you describe your everyday style? T-shirts, jeans, and dress shirts make up my daily outfits.
Margaret Zhang, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue China
Mina, Luggage Designer
Can you describe your everyday style? London has a big influence on my style. My everyday wear is generally modern with a bit of vintage motif, primarily dresses, high heels are mandated.
Muse, Digital Fashion Developer Digital Experience @Dipaak
Can you describe your everyday style? I have an all-white everyday look, it’s that usual future minimalist style.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? Xander Zhou is a Chinese designer that I like.
Neng Jianri, Artist
Can you describe your everyday style? It should be the chaotic aesthetics of comfort (both mental and physical) by abandoning the existing aesthetics and fashion establishment.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? Super love Walter Van Beirendonck! How dazzling!
Qunzi, Makeup Artist
Can you describe your everyday style? I prefer the vintage style. I often shop second-hand.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? Jacques Wei, a fusion of Eastern and Western aesthetics and innovation, feminine yet powerful.
Gao Peng, Hair Stylist
Can you describe your everyday style? I have a simple everyday style, mainly loose-cut comfort.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? Mashama, a robust design, uses environmentally friendly fabrics.
Ravin, Photographer
Can you describe your everyday style? Constantly exercising, yet always lazy.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? Windowsen is candy for the eyes, as if peeking into another universe, full of creativity.
Sen Wung, Stylist, Chief Design Officer, Influencer
Can you describe your everyday style? I don’t do one specific style as it varies for me, all depending on the occasion. I prefer the gender-neutral style of an excellent business suit.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? Yirintian, the design and marketing are both very well done, it is a very mature brand. Unlike some up-and-coming brands that just shout out the designer’s personal feelings, they could be decent pieces of artwork but not commercial products. I appreciate brands that negotiate their retail value with artistic expression well.
Wang Qian, Makeup Artist
Can you describe your everyday style? I have no true style, and I’ll try whatever works for me, though nothing too loud.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? I’ll be looking for the next one to make waves in Chinese fashion.
Wang Wei, Photographer
Can you describe your everyday style? Whatever style there is, but all very simple.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? Windowsen.
Wanqing Zhang, Singer/ Actress
Can you describe your everyday style? My outfits depend on my mood, but they’re generally casual, minimalist, and solid-colored. I pay attention to the fabric’s texture and the cut’s fit.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? I’ve lately got my eyes on Fax Copy Express and Lanwing. Both are durable and wearable, with good detailing for essential fit.
Ya Fei, Makeup Artist
Can you describe your everyday style? I prefer a style of comfort that is practical for work, so I’d pay attention to accessories as much as color coordination, among other things.
Yueming Meng, Fashion Designer/ Founder of Kz.Ksiezyc
Can you describe your everyday style? My everyday outfit is quite casual actually, mainly all white or all black. Part of the reason is to save time, which is in line with my design, which I wear myself often.
Which Chinese designer brand are you closely following, or who is your favorite designer? I’ve been closely following Xander Zhou, a Chinese designer brand space pioneer. To some extent, they have been exploring the border between reality and non-reality as a theme.
Read more of our Shanghai Fashion Week coverage.