This NYFW, Hot Now China presented its first runway show in New York. The show sponsored by the CFA (China Fashion Association), Tencent News, and the Global Fashion Industry Academy gives a platform for both emerging and established Chinese designers to break into the American market. The program also expands into other European markets such as Paris, Milan, and London, where designers not only have an opportunity to study local culture but also learn and receive training.
Hot Now China showcased designers with multi-dimensional personalities and techniques ranging from couture to contemporary; talents Alicia Lee, Fishing, Kheing Atelier, Luire and Mary Ma collectively introduced a new wave of inspiration from the emerging design houses of China. For the runway looks, hair was light and natural to complement China’s modernity, with added waves to add femininity; makeup included a light application of foundation base with tinted lip treatment and shimmering highlighter to embody a young and fresh look.
Established designers Alicia Lee, Khieng, and Fishing represented the modern woman and embraced traditional designs of Chinese culture, taking urban professional silhouettes and incorporating them with intricate embroidery. Color palettes focused on lustrous pastels in high quality materials like silk and linen blends, draped in interesting layers, and carefully composed colorways. Collections Alicia Lee and Mary Ma also featured a crossover collaboration with trending jewelry brand Hearts on Fire owned by the Chow Tai Fook Group. In addition, collections like Khieng were influenced by exquisite craftsmanship from French heritage and artistic beauty of intricate lace detailing. A highlight of the show was a dress influenced by ethnic elements from Mary Ma featuring a gown enclosed with white and beige fabrics detailed with gold embroidery and lace.
Backstage, we had an exclusive opportunity to interview the President behind the Hot Now China:
“Today we have 5 designers bringing each of their own masterpieces to this show. The designers have all spent a lot of time and effort to showcase their works that contain both modern ideas and traditional techniques such as Chinese traditional embroidery from Yunan province and the empirical eras. In addition, many of these new generation Chinese designers have been under the spotlight, with plenty of support and fans domestically and internationally, influencing them to stand in their design and support the needs and wants of their followers. In selecting applicants for this program, we curated this collection founded on unique characteristics like modern design, traditional art, ability to combine western and eastern concepts, and influence held in the Asian market. But ultimately the five designers stand for different cultures and ideas which is a really important point. Each one of these designers has his/her unique concepts to designing and we are so grateful to invite them to this platform to showcase their designs at New York Fashion week.”
