East Asia shines at Shanghai Fashion Week

What happened: Shanghai Fashion Week (SHFW) has officially launched its Fall 2025 season, running from today until March 31. While Chinese designers such as Mark Gong and Ao Yes remain central to the season’s programming, East Asian designers from beyond China are increasingly making their mark. The thriving Seoul-born brand Andersson Bell made waves in October, and Fall 2025 brings even greater international representation. Platforms like Labelhood are championing emerging talent, including Le Ngok — a brand led by China-born, Philippines-raised Carla Zhang, known for its playful, artful patchwork designs that blend bold colors and textures. Vietnamese label LSoul has also secured a spot on the official schedule, renowned for its grunge-glam aesthetic and a celebrity clientele that includes Blackpink’s Jennie and Lisa, as well as Katy Perry and Bella Poarch. Meanwhile, MIK (Made In Korea) Fashion is amplifying the visibility of Korean fashion with a showcase of 12 Korean brands. Streetwear is also making its presence felt, with Hypebeast’s Hyperoom serving as a key showroom. The space features Korea’s Thugclub — known for its devoted underground following — alongside fellow Seoul-based label Project G/R and Tokyo’s Libere. Unlike the Spring 2025 edition in October, which was marked by high-profile international activations such as Moncler’s star-studded event with A$AP Rocky and Rihanna, a Vivienne Westwood show, and a Rick Owens rave, this season sees a reduced presence from global fashion houses — with the exception of Dolce & Gabbana, which is hosting a conversation with Susan Fang. However, global brands like Disney and Nike continue to engage through curated events, while Boss strategically aligned its Shanghai store opening with both the Chinese Grand Prix and Fashion Week. The Jing Take: SHFW has long sought to carve out a distinct identity amid the dominance of Paris, London, Milan, and New York. Paris and Milan are synonymous with luxury powerhouse shows and presentations, while London is celebrated for its cutting-edge emerging talent, home to one of the best fashion schools in the world, Central Saint Martins. New York, on the other hand, stands as the hub for commercial fashion. So, what is Shanghai’s defining role? This season, more than 200 brands and nearly 1,000 trade shows will take place — surpassing Paris in scale. The sheer volume of events raises questions about the focus and coherence of the overall experience. However, with overseas talent making up half of the participants, SHFW is starting to define itself as the premier platform for East Asian fashion. SHFW’s embrace of non-Chinese designers is also a testament to the region’s burgeoning influence in the global industry. By providing a platform for creatives from Vietnam, Korea, and other neighboring countries, SHFW not only enriches its own fashion landscape but also fosters cross-cultural collaborations that resonate worldwide. Although major international brands such as Moncler and Vivienne Westwood bring overseas buyers and prestigious media titles to the city, there is potential for a more curated approach that highlights the region’s unique fashion narratives and innovations. By focusing on Asian talent, emerging designers, and culturally rich storytelling, SHFW cements itself as a fresh and compelling alternative to established fashion weeks. The Jing Take reports on a piece of the leading news and presents our editorial team’s analysis of the key implications for the luxury industry. In the recurring column, we analyze everything from product drops and mergers to heated debate sprouting on Chinese social media.

East Asia shines at Shanghai Fashion Week

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Published March 26, 2025

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East Asia shines at Shanghai Fashion Week