Fashion

Opinion | History of the cheongsam, why Suzie Wong and Hong Kong elite girls’ schools killed it, and politicians who habitually wore one

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In these sadly polarised, hypersensitive times, racial nationalism’s uglier character traits are often stoked by those in power as convenient diversions from real issues such as double-digit youth unemployment, collapsing property markets, bankrupted municipalities and hollowed-out middle-class wealth. The population of an entire nation can seemingly have their feelings wounded at the slightest prod, especially … Read more

Most read of 2023: Michelle Yeoh’s fashion designer, China freeing a CIA spy – your favourite long reads

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From the plight of Abul Bajandar, known as “tree man”, to a look at the life of Hong Kong fashion designer Barney Cheng, a reminder of eight of the most-read long features published in the South China Morning Post’s Post Magazine in 2023. 1. More turmoil for ‘tree man’ After his story went global, Bangladeshi … Read more

Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada: how luxury fashion brands and sports are growing ever closer

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“We are seeing more interest in athletics, as athletes have started to wear things solely for aesthetic reasons,” London-based fashion journalist Ayo Ojo says. Football stars Lionel Messi (left) and Cristiano Ronaldo in a 2022 Louis Vuitton advertising campaign. Photo: Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton’s 2022 advertising campaign featuring football superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo … Read more

Global Impact: sustainability, cultural diversity take centre stage at New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks

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Global Impact is a weekly curated newsletter featuring a news topic originating in China with a significant macro impact for our newsreaders around the world. Sign up now! If the spring/summer 2024 collections – unveiled during the New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks this month – are anything to go by, sustainability and … Read more

Julia Fox, RuPaul’s drag queens wear this Chinese fashion student designer: Eileen Sun on moving from art to fashion and making her name with major stars

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“I gradually started to feel disillusioned. I had great aspirations, yet there was very little autonomy, creative freedom or intellectual stimulation in the day-to-day operation of a commercial gallery, even though you’re dealing with art all the time,” Sun says. Sun graduated from the University of Hong Kong and worked in Hong Kong’s art industry. … Read more

Kylie Jenner is a fan: the rise of fashion label Isa Boulder, beloved by Gen Z, TikTok and influencers alike

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Isa Boulder may sound like a real-life person, but the name is entirely imaginary. “It was this kind of hypothetical person who embodies this vision of what the clothes could be and what we could offer,” explains Basari. A look from Isa Boulder’s spring/summer 2024 collection, shown in Paris. Photo: Isa Boulder Handcrafted looks are … Read more

How to wear the naked dress trend and who popularised the ‘nude’ look, from Marilyn Monroe to Sarah Jessica Parker to Zendaya

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Carrie, however, was not the first style icon to wow with this look. The history of the naked dress dates back to 1962, when American actress Marilyn Monroe – wearing a sparkling, skin-coloured evening dress – sang a birthday song to then-US President John F. Kennedy. Sarah Jessica Parker during the 1997 VH1 Vogue Fashion … Read more

Fashion trends? No thanks – sustainable Aelis Couture is all about ‘art-to-wear’ creations made from old fabrics and found objects

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The couture house, which Crociani founded in 2017, specialises in “ecological, ethical, sustainable art-to-wear” creations. Presented in Aelis Couture’s spring/summer 2023 runway shows, its tutu creations will also be displayed by the Paris Opera Ballet. Photo: Aelis As a designation, haute couture – “high dressmaking” in French – is protected by the Fédération de la … Read more

Chinese fashion designers’ next big step? Paris, experts say, as Fashion Week event highlights rising names and their potential industry moves

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Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode (FHCM) executive president Pascal Morand, industry veteran Julie Gilhart, Diesel founder and OTB Group president Renzo Rosso, beauty founder Pritika Swarup, and Chinese singer Yu Yan joined some of China’s most promising designers for the event. Guests get up close and personal with Chinese designers’ work … Read more

Prada, Gucci, Uniqlo: women’s shirts, once a forgotten fashion afterthought, are now crisp, high quality and desirable

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Pip Durell always found the lack of women’s shirting brands one of fashion’s great mysteries. Most of her female friends and relatives wore shirts at least a couple of times a week and cared about the cut, fit and quality. Yet, most stores failed to cater to them. After years of stealing shirts from her … Read more