The IFA Paris fashion show, which took place on November 18th at 7:30 p.m. in Shanghai at Bund 22 was a showcase of the inspirations of the new generation of designers. Because beyond the very diverse designs and aesthetics of the different collections, we can identify quite a number of common issues among the 10 students of the Bachelor of Fashion Design & Technology program.

IFA Paris Fashion Show in Shanghai

Students of the Paris and Shanghai campuses saw their collections showcased on the big stage. The reflection on femininity in our contemporary society is the starting point for several of these collections:

Nan Ni draws inspiration from a traditional Chinese tale to imagine a modern, romantic and airy goddess, whom she adorns with white feathers, which in this case is used as a fabric. The same romantic style is used by Liu Ling, whose large but light profiles thanks to the use of materials such as silk organza all in pastel colours reflect the idea of an authentic, serene and soothed femininity, free from the cumbersomeness of societal perceptions. And there is the collection of Shen Boya who designed for a strong and confident woman, dressed in black silhouettes with simple shapes, but embroidered in bright colours.

IFA Paris Fashion Show in Shanghai

There were black and other colors too, in the case of knit silhouettes covered with floral embroideries by Shen Han Lin, whose collection reminds us of a garden under the midnight moon, seen as a metaphor for the disclosure of individual’s deep personality. A better self-understanding is indeed a question that can be observed in many designers, such as Nana who uses the Rorschach test, a personality test created by a Swiss psychologist to create silhouettes in black, grey and white. These have complex and perfectly symmetrical prints and sizes to express her deep self quest.

The relationship of fashion with art and other creative fields is another important source of inspiration for these young designers. Thus, Ruktam Srinakarin built his collection from elements of collages of contemporary architecture by introducing slogans to draw attention to the repercussions that international politics can have on the lives of each individual. The result is a collection that is both soft and aggressive, romantic and streetwear, where haute couture embroideries are combined with disassembled down jackets, and aerial muslin is mixed with armour corsets.

There is architecture again by Tanyalak Promlumpak, which skews her checkered shirts and workwear pieces into elegant white and marine silhouettes. It follows the example of the American architect Peter Eisenman, whose work on dismantling with the philosopher Jacques Derrida served as the starting point for this elegant collection.

It was the famous Chinese photographer Ren Hang, but also a reflection on the fate of relationships between individuals that inspired student designer Yuliya Dovzhych. Based on this artist’s work, the young designer gives free rein to her dreamy romanticism with her colourful superimpositions covered with flounced silk and floral embroideries. Equally colourful, but with a pop energy, Zoé Gray’s collection was built on research on the provocative works of British artist Tracey Emin. Hence these feminine silhouettes that combine a form of traditional elegance heckled by optical digital prints and patchworks of old fabrics, are on embroidered slogans winking to the life of this “millennial” generation.

This show took place during the New Couture Fashion Week at the historic Bund 22 building in Shanghai with 200 guests including many Chinese and foreign fashion industry VIPs. Among them was Etienne Bourgois (General Manager of Agnès B, member of the French Sewing Federation and President of the Tara Foundation) who was very impressed by the students’ creations. Famous couturiers Renato Nucci and Eric Tibusch were equally enthusiastic about the talent on display. Mrs. Wang Hong, former Dean of Shanghai University Engineering Sciences (SUES), historical partner of IFA Paris and now Mayor of Baoshan District in Shanghai was also present. For the show, make-up was provided by long-time IFA Paris partner Make Up For Ever.

This colorful evening ended with a cocktail party organized by Accor Group’s Grand Mercure Hotel, during which Laurent Perrier Champagne flowed endlessly as well as the wine offered by CWS (China Wines & Spirits).

For more infos on the available programs at IFA Paris, please see our Courses. Enjoy a quick recap video from this fashion show: