London Fashion Week: Haizhen Wang

Haizhen Wang has once again closed London Fashion Week. As always, he did not fail on delivering his signature “masculine femininity with architectural references, classical tailoring, and bold design joined with precision and impeccable quality” down the runway. With this, it was a clear triumph for the Chinese designer. He successfully garnered everyone’s attention for winning the Fashion Fringe at Covent Garden. “It was a challenge. I tried to make it simpler than before and more targeted but there are different challenges each time,” the designer said backstage.

Wang sent out a collection inspired by American urban icon; architect Gordon Matt Clark and his concept of “Splitting” – the destruction of deserted structures and the reinvention of shapes. This idea materialized in the form of utility street ensemble in dimensional shaping and shading. His Spring 2014 was composed of clean architectural cuts in slices of monochrome hues of black, white and blue. His models were accessorized with headbands giving off this spunk attitude on the catwalk which complemented well with the structured jackets and well tailored dresses. Layered garments and metallic suit in lightweight fabric and leather was dominant. It's evident that it was the designer’s most realized collection to date. It was clean, polished and simple; very apt for modern women who want to be chic and at the same time effortlessly cool.

The models were styled in a soft and relaxed look, sleek and out on a straight finish. The inspiration behind Johnny Engstrom of Guy Kremer Salon was the “injured girl” – beautiful but bandaged. The subtle look was made to flatter the clean lines and tailoring of the designer’s garments. The pair of leather shoes that accompanied Wang’s edgy designs was from his new shoe collection. London based designer Maria Pana provided the jewelry that accentuated the looks on the runway.