The kinder-haute brand Amélie Wang brings pint-sized styles to New York Fashion Week, from designer Oscar Cao.
At an understated runway in an upper corner of Industria Superstudios in the fashionable West Village corridor, magic took place Saturday night. It wasn’t a rabbit from a hat, or the woman cut into pieces, but the immense pleasure of seeing the children rule the runway, dressed in the finest out of China: Amélie Wang. The quickly-growing brand has a cult status in China but is presented in the US by China Fashion Collective, an organization focused on bringing global awareness to Chinese designers.
Indeed, the runway was a splendid exploration of sophisticated detailing, resplendent color, and excellent tailoring. Treasured pieces for the rare holiday as well as casual looks came down the runway, with some children laser-focused on accomplishing the task, while others smiled in their dresses and gowns. Colors ranged from bright red to a lush green- into fabrics like denim- not necessarily expected from a brand that celebrates “traditional” Chinese clothing.
Amélie Wang originally worked in fabrics, exporting some of the best of China, until recently exploring the ready-to-wear and bespoke clothing markets. But the runway wasn’t limited to children’s looks- some adults wore matching looks, turning the charm level to 11.
With silks and cottons, the range was diverse and the wearability was astoundingly realistic- the children could move freely in the otherwise decadent designs- a key aspect for any children’s range. This was proven by a joyful jaunt by a young girl not older than three years of age- she wiggled and ran down the runway in absolute joy- wearing Amélie Wang’s stunning wares.
