The pieces reflect upon the attires of farmers, factory workers, and soldiers between the 1950s and the 1980s.
When upcoming designers present their work every year, they bring (to our delight) fresh narratives to the industry (and our closets) season after season. While some collections have a more futuristic appeal, Parsons graduate Chenghui Zhang’s Fall/Winter’17 collection delves into the past. Drawing from her roots, Zhang creates a memoir of her grandmother’s life. The outfits from her collection resemble different roles her grandmother undertook through her life, and provide a narrative for China’s development and globalisation from her grandmother’s eyes.
Photo: Courtesy of ChengHui Zhang
The outfits from her collection resemble different roles her grandmother undertook through her life, and provide a narrative for China’s development and globalisation from her grandmother’s eyes.
The pieces reflect upon the attires of farmers, factory workers, and soldiers between the 1950s and the 1980s. What’s interesting about the collection, is Zhang’s juxtaposition of modern silhouettes that channel a ‘streetwear’ aesthetic whilst drawing inspiration from the past. The accessories from the collection add to its modernity; the red hand-bag makes a bold statement, and the leather boots, while more minimalistic, are cool and edgy in nature.
The high sartorial quotient of Zhang’s ‘Remember the Forgotten’ collection definitely makes her a designer we’re following for the upcoming seasons, and is also a great reminder of how fashion can act as a powerful medium of storytelling.
Photo: Courtesy of ChengHui Zhang
Photo: Courtesy of ChengHui Zhang
Follow ChengHui Zhang: @chenghui_zhang