Shiatzy Chen AW25

Shiatzy Chen’s AW25 collection was a masterful tapestry of migration, memory, and Miao craftsmanship. Dubbed the "Chanel of Taiwan”, Chen delivered a symphony of East-meets-West silhouettes, where every stitch whispered a legend. Chen pivoted from her signature Suzhou-style embroidery to the "untamed, robust, and carefree" artistry of Miao techniques. Collaborating with seven intangible heritage artisans, the collection showcased ten sacred stitches, from the sculptural Relief Stitch to the bold Horsetail Stitch, each narrating Guizhou’s cultural fluidity. The runway itself was framed by towering Miao motifs, transforming garments into wearable folklore.

Miao silversmithing inspired detachable brooches (sun, butterflies, dragons) and cascading silver-chain necklaces. Studded leather bib tops and quilted jackets echoed the tribe’s talismanic aesthetic, while mandarin collars gleamed with metallic precision. Ten one-off bags, each dedicated to a Miao embroidery technique, stole the show. The Hobo and Secret-zip crossbody offered playful versatility, but the true stars were the embroidered classics, their panels stitched with "histories one by one".

The closing looks, pleated skirts reinterpreted as sweeping capes, feathers and bells evoking the Hundred-Bird Garment, left no doubt; this was a collection where every stitch a brush against time.