THE TOP CHINESE DESIGNERS TO WATCH

Not that we needed Chinese New Year to come round to take note of these design talents that give our wardrobes new life, but here we are. Here are The Haute Heel’s top five brands from Chinese designers – everything from celebrity endorsed sunglasses to head-turning catwalk fashion. As London Fashion Week approaches, let these diverse and eyebrow-raising talents inspire your style.

 

For Art’s Sake

 

For Art’s Sake will satiate your need for that truly different pair of sunglasses. The brand’s geometric shapes and rainbow array of colours – hi mermaid motifs and teddy shaped lens – are not for those shy of making a fashion statement. All of their glasses are 100% UV protected, as we’d expect, and use jade stone nose pads. Aside from being extra, jade has the practical edge that avoid those pesky makeup transfers that happens with generic silicone. And there’s more, For Art’s Sake uses plant-based acetate for their lens, which are environmentally friendly. Complete your sweet as sugar look with Waterworld (£196) sunglasses, worn with a pastel power suit. Slip on Genius (£138) optical frames for the 9 to 5 grind. Oh, and Chrissy Teigen and Beyonce count themselves as a fans. Yes, Beyonce.

 

Ming Ray

 

Ming Ray’s bags are everything you’ve ever wanted from your childhood dreams: packaged in pastel and made ultra luxe, Hello Kitty would fight you for one of these. As the designer says, it’s: “Haute Cute”. Ming Ray is known for her signature, ornate handles and gem-encrusted butterfly motifs that walk the line between bag and jewellery. No surprise then that her Italian craftsmanship and trend-savvy designers are a staple favourite among London’s fash pack. Now you know what to do with that tax refund.

 

Susan Fang

 

Who wouldn’t want a chandelier bag swinging at their side? With the kooky bags trend sticking around as stubborn as a red wine stain on a carpet, this is an accessory to sit up and take note. Susan Fang’s transparent bubble bags belong in a utopian sci-fi world. After working for Stella McCartney and Céline, she started her own line. Her artistic vision is inspired from mathematical repetitions and fractals from nature. created a technique called ‘air-weave’ which allows the fabric to float between two and three-dimensional realms. 

 

 

SHUSHU/Tong

 

SHUSHU/TONG is the baby of Liushu Lei and Yutong Jiang that focus on pared-down feminine pieces, which are loud enough to speak for themselves. Ruffles, bows, tulle and all the trappings of a 19th century heroine’s wardrobe are right there, alongside that sassy attitude. Stockists include Browns and Dover Street Market.

 

Huishan Zhang

 

These are the clothes to wear when you next fall in love. Huishan Zhang honed his sartorial genius at the couture atelier of Maison Christian Dior in Paris, only to start his own line of heart-throbbing collections. His most recent collection, Spring/Summer 2020, featured mandarin collars and detachable, high-neck pieces among an abundance of contrast piping tulle. Despite his mark in fashion – he’s a 2015 finalist for the LVMH fashion prize, won the BFC 2016 Fashion Trust and was a nominee for the Vogue Fashion Fund in 2017 – Zhang’s goal is to create a luxury lifestyle brand beyond the clothing. We’re here for it.

 

Looking to support young, sustainable brands? Head here.

 

 

 

Image by Alise Jane, words by Anushree Gupta