Global Fashion Collective II evident of the globalization of the fashion industry

Global Fashion Collective is a platform supporting creative designers from
around the world that has helped bring a different set of international
designs to New York Fashion Week every season. This season the collective
brought Queenie Zoe and Hightli for Global Fashion Collective II. The
organization helped them produce a runway show with the aim to accelerate
the designers global development, increase their international media
visibility, and open up new markets.

First to hit the runway was Chinese brand Queenie Zoe by creative director
Bomin Kim. Inspired by the Independence Movement Day in Korea and the start
of modernization for Korean women, Kim has designed a series of gowns in a
bold, feminine style. With references to traditional late 19th century
silhouettes, elaborate empire line dresses with ruffled tiered godets and
leg of mutton sleeves gave a sense of grandeur. Fur trims and large flouncy
bows adorned the collection, and a velvet dress with exaggerated pointed
collar brought beautiful contrast in black and white. The finale look
incorporated a traditional Hanbok style dress with large oversized sleeves
and patchwork fabrics.

The collection was a different take on evening wear, but one that American
consumers watching the show wouldn’t be unfamiliar with. There were the
universal elements of drama that we expect from evening wear with the big
skirts and statement patterns.

Designer Tong Li for China-based brand Hightli was inspired by the video
game “The Legend of Zelda” in creating her latest collection “Melody”. The
designs work as a ‘composed song’ that coordinate relevant yet
differentiated elements in an unconventional manner. A caramel colored silk
shirt with flared cuffs, and high-waisted pants that cinched in the waist,
gave a structured feminine look. Fabrics in herringbone, checks, and
dogtooth added texture, and a cosy bold red fur coat created volume with
oversized sleeves. A deep burgundy cage-like structured button up cape worn
over a silver silk two-piece with bird-cage motif formed a key look.

The collection could easily be seen sitting alongside brands like Claudia
Li and Tadashi Shoji. With the East Asian flare and the sense of elevated
glamour, there is already a customer for this in America. Showing at Global
Fashion Collective was a strategic move on Li’s part.

Fashion continues to be one of the most globalized industries in business,
made evident by the work of this collective.

photos: courtesy of EB Consults Worldwide