Unmissable Highlights at the Upcoming Shanghai Fashion Week

As the night falls over the Shanghai skyline, the lights of the Shanghai Fashion Week (SHFW) for Fall/Winter 2024, starting from March 25, begin to shine, promising a season full of expectations. This city, with its garment and apparel industry accounting for a quarter of the social retail sales last year, not only reaffirms its leading position in the global fashion scene but also emerges as a hub for setting new fashion trends.

Summary:

• Business Opportunities Beckon
• Promoting Sustainable Fashion
• Digital Innovation and International Appeal

Liu Min, Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, shares: “After the storm of the pandemic, SHFW not only reaffirms its allure but also marks the strong resurgence of the consumer market.” With a series of fashion shows, unique exhibitions, and discussion forums, SHFW is not only a gathering place for major names in the industry but also a launchpad for new talents.

Of note, Le Fame and Mithworld will be the opening and closing brands for this eight-day fashion event. Le Fame, with its romantic vintage style, is expected to reinterpret the feminine beauty of Shanghai through a modern lens. On the other hand, Mithworld will take us on a culinary journey with its Fall/Winter 2024 collection inspired by traditional Chinese dim sum.

The star-studded lineup of the event also includes big names such as Chinese supermodels Lü Yan with the brand Comme Moi and Judy Hua, both known for their exquisite and elegant designs. Additionally, emerging talents like Xiao Li and Louis Shengtao Chen are equally noteworthy, ready to conquer the runway with colorful and creative collections.

In the unique artistic space of Bund Source, the avant-garde fashion festival Labelhood once again asserts its position as a hub of creativity and innovation, with this year’s theme being “Return to Truth.” It will be the stage where 16 young designers will showcase breakthrough works, marking a new milestone in their careers. This year’s event brings together names that are making waves in the young fashion market such as Assignments, Shushu/Tong, and Xander Zhou, reflecting the vitality and constant desire for innovation of the new generation. Labelhood, a breeding ground for fashion talents, not only expands its influence domestically but also globally, as evidenced by its partnership with Harrods in London during the Lunar New Year.

Business Opportunities Beckon SHFW not only limits itself to runway shows but also extends to commercial activities and events at five prominent locations in the city. Large exhibition spaces like the West Bund Art Center and the Shanghai Exhibition Center will host showrooms such as OnTimeShow, Tube, and The Mode Shanghai. This is an opportunity for fashion enthusiasts to explore new trends in fashion and bridal wear trends.

This year, SHFW also welcomes the participation of international brands. Dion Lee from Australia will present a new collection outside the regular schedule. Furthermore, Mytheresa, a premium online retail platform, is collaborating with Courrèges, a French fashion brand, to organize a special exhibition titled “The legacy & future of Courrèges: reimagining historical codes,” promising to offer a fresh perspective on fashion. This exclusive exhibition will be held at Fotografiska in Shanghai, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore the historical roots and future direction of Courrèges collections. The exhibition will introduce selections from the upcoming Courrèges x Mytheresa collection, giving a preview of the brand’s upcoming products.

Promoting Sustainable Fashion In recent years, SHFW has also shown interest in sustainable fashion through professional forums and exhibitions. For example, the M SPACE opening forum will feature industry leaders such as Thierry Andretta, Global CEO of Mulberry, to discuss environmentally friendly fashion solutions.

In particular, on March 23, the R.I.S.E Sustainable Consumer Innovation Platform will introduce impressive designs from the “Rise Up Sustainable Fashion Design Challenge,” a competition for young designers. The selected works will then be displayed at Xintiandi, one of the highlights of Shanghai Fashion Week, emphasizing the event’s commitment to environmental protection.

Furthermore, the event will witness the return of The Next program for graduating students, aimed at bridging the gap between education and the practical needs of the market. Designs from students of Donghua University, China Academy of Art, and Soochow University will be showcased, along with a special event from Istituto Marangoni Shanghai on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.

Digital Innovation and International Appeal This year, Shanghai Fashion Week aims to expand its audience through digital activities such as digital fashion shows and live streaming, in collaboration with Douyin. This event reflects the dynamism of the fashion industry in Shanghai, combining tradition and innovation, while emphasizing sustainable values. With a diverse program of runway shows and activities, this year’s Fashion Week promises to reaffirm Shanghai’s position in the international fashion scene.

However, attracting foreign visitors remains a challenge. Although China has opened its borders since last year, international tourist