Taipei Fashion Week AW21 Aims to Enlighten and Promote Creation

Taipei Fashion Week AW21 Aims to Enlighten and Promote Creation

By: Caitlyn Garrity / Mar. 22, 2o21

Although NYFW came to a close early this month, the Taiwanese government hoped to uplift spirits with their own fashion week. Taipei Fashion Week ran from Mar. 10 to Mar. 15 and featured 13 shows. The collection for fall and winter reflects the success Taiwan has experienced in handling the pandemic around the same time last year.

Not only did the fashion shows showcase creative designers but the fashion week allowed student designers to showcase their designs as well. The show partnered with Ling Tung University, Shu-Te University, Fu Jen Catholic University and Shih Chien University to give students resources to create pieces that reflected ideas of suitability and technology.

Shows were held in-person and models walked down a physical runway, a foreign idea in these unprecedented times. The designers in attendance were: #DAMUR, ALLENKO3, BOB Jian, C JEAN, DLEET, DOUCHANGLEE, GIOIA PAN, INF, ISABELLE WEN, SIEVSON, SHIATZY CHEN, SILZENCE Men and UUIN.

Taipei Fashion Week: The Designs

Now more than ever, fashion is serving multiple purposes. Not only is it to inspire new trends, but also look toward the future. Especially with the current pandemic the world is facing, Taipei designers used their designs to inspire creativity and hope in their audience.

#DAMUR’s show focused on the idea of upcycling and a new initiative in fashion. Designer Shih-Shun Huang proposed new ideas and a high-fashion look to scientific and economic design alternatives.

Designer Allen Ko of ALLEK03 followed a similar idea of deconstruction of an idea. However, in ALLEKO3’s show, the designs centered around the deconstruction of old 90s styles combined with modern elements. High-fashion finds its roots in rebellion with ALLEKO3.

While some designers are edgier, some specialize in traditional and elegant gowns. While BOB Jian’s collection showcased beautiful feminine designs, they were anything but traditional. Inspired by his childhood memories from temple fairs, BOB Jian created modern gowns with elements of traditional oriental patterns.

C JEAN also took from traditional patterns as well as elements from nature. A huge trend during New York Fashion Week, more and more designers are drawing inspiration from the outdoors to take inside. Who is to blame them, we are all longing for some normalcy while stuck working inside. The “Lost Birds” collection from C JEAN for Taipei Fashion Week AW21 took inspiration from nature while also raising awareness of the increasing amount of disappearing and endangered species with their link to deforestation.

Minimalism combined with avant-garde is designer Lee Bei’s specialty. DLEET’s AW21 collection was a showcase of black and white-toned minimalist pieces that contained elements of deconstruction.

DOUCHANGLEE, Stephane Dou and Changlee Yugin, designed futuristic pieces with elements of technology and new artistic perspectives.

Following the retro vibe, GIOIA PAN‘s AW21 show was a fusion of textures, materials and design with retro, elegant and romantic styles.

Sustainability is huge, especially when it comes to reforming the fashion industry. Designer Kuo Wei of INF balances sustainability with structure and versatility. The collection is heavily influenced by the shifting landscape of retail in Taiwan by reusing plastic bags to transform cultural elements.

Leading designer in Taiwan, Isabelle Wen, showcased her “Roman Roland” at Taipei Fashion Week AW21. The collection of elegant, feminine pieces made with modern elements like cutting-edge chip-like material and romantic elements of linen and silk.

SIEVSON, designer Jill Shen, showcased her collection “2062 MORN” through a blend of feminine yet avant-garde pieces.

Modern feminity, like with women in strong businesswear, is an increasing trend in AW21 fashion shows. Designer Wang Chen Tsai-Hsia for SHIATZY CHEN utilized powerful structures mixed with embroidery and poetic textured to symbolize strength and hope following this difficult year.

The “Void Color” collection from SILZENCE Men by Jun-Liang Chen focused on culture, humanity, social issues and traditional craft. Incorporating plain basics with elegant cultural components, the collection was bold with color and oriental patterns.

Finally, UUIN founders Tzutsao Liu, Andrea Liu and Van Lin, with immense experience in concert consumers and high-end couture, showcased their “Gardeners” collection to show how citizens have untied during the pandemic.