To commemorate the collaboration, Chen has launched a special month-long salon at the Zhongshan flagship store in Taipei (All photos: Shiatzy Chen)
Like the scattering petals that compete for a spot of sun in artist Chang Shu-Fen’s Blooming Core, dainty flowers are translated into meticulous flecks of paint to colour Shiatzy Chen’s Resort 2022 collection. Founder and designer of the Taiwanese fashion brand Wang Chen Tsai-Hsia recently collaborated with Chang on a series that not only offers garments threaded with intricate embroidery technique but also limited-edition silk scarves.
Chen’s collection gives the impression that you have walked into an impressionist painting. For pieces that are inspired by Blooming Core, you will find multi-layer dresses and coats that do not constrict and give way to breeziness with every step. Each boasts breathability while maintaining a loose silhouette, pulling away from the body for a comfortable airy feel. A sea of wisteria flower motifs flow from one end to another to create a rhythmic transition of colours, from rich royal blue to bright orange and dark green.
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A garden usually represents a public place but, sometimes, it becomes a personal sanctuary. Chang’s second work, Zhuo (loosely translated as strong-willed), was born from a deep resilience fostered in her private moments during the pandemic. Echoing the strong emotions permeating the work, a bracing range of outerwear with clean-cut contours, tops sewn from open jacquard cloth and complementing accessories were designed to both stun and impress. Colour-blocking may be a defining aesthetic of the 2000s, but Chen pushes the theme further mainstream, turning her world into super-saturated flash.
To commemorate the collaboration, Chen has launched a special month-long salon at the Zhongshan flagship store in Taipei. Silk scarves will be sold at this exclusive exhibition, and proceeds from this charity sale will be donated to support the local community.
This article first appeared on Sept 20, 2021 in The Edge Malaysia.
