Models brought their own brand of dance moves to Chi Zhang’s Fall/Winter 2017 show, as they owned the runway lead by dubstep beats on February 13, 2017.
The spectacular was equal parts party and performance, unveiling a dramatic and fierce streetwear collection. Set in New York’s very own Space Shuttle Pavilion at the Intrepid, the show was inspired by the juxtaposition of past elements intersecting with futuristic possibilities, fully embracing street culture, imagination, and art.
With a focus on dark elements, the collection featured both men’s and women’s looks with mixtures between soft and hard materials. The predominantly black color palette was brought to life with hints of red, yellow, blue, and white. Each piece was interesting and unique with a hint of edgy elegance, for textures such as fur, PVC, and leather stood prevalent throughout the show. Zhang’s presentation featured an interesting contrast between silhouettes that were sparse on the bottom but oversized on the top for both genders. Excessively large upper garments, such as trench coats, jackets, sweatshirts, and crop tops, coupled with dangling straps and bondage-inspired pieces, were constantly seen down the runway, giving the audience a taste of the avant-garde fashion scene. There was a mix of thigh-high boots, combat boots, and heels for women, while men mainly wore sneakers. A recurring theme in the collection was the incorporation of the words “King is Back” accompanied by an image of a gas masked face, often times found on the hoodies worn by the women. In contrast, men primarily wore long coats, either leather or fur, with short, tight undergarments. One look consisted of an all yellow hoodie, with a large yellow sports jacket, a short black bottom, and black thigh-high boots. Several models topped off their looks by wearing an intricately designed gas mask, illustrating a quintessential facet of Zhang’s style.
Ultimately, the Fall/Winter collection successfully captured freedom of expression and infinite possibilities, offering an overall empowering image and positive experience for those who witnessed this stellar performance.
Notable Attendees Included: Fabolous, Miss J Alexander, Bianca Espada (Rich Kids of Beverly Hills), Carl Radke (Summer House), Ian Mellencamp (Model/Muscian), Danielle Savre (Actress), Rosa Crespo, Andrew Rosen (Co-Founder & CEO of Theory), Manuela Bordasch and Joey Zauzi.
[slideshow]-Anna Botto