After having seen the wild and super cutting edge work of Chinese fashion designers in Shanghai, interesting, but not my aesthetic, I was delighted to meet Sisi (Xi Ye) whose fashion line beautifully combines traditional Chinese fashion styles with contemporary flourishes, both bold and feminine. This is Part 2 of MC Travels in China. For Part 1 on the weird and wonderful, a photo gallery, click here. And look for Part 3 later this week.
Sisi makes her mark with unexpected flounces, possibly a winged cap sleeve, and handsome silk patterns that look like abstract watercolors designed by a prominent artist.
She describes her fashion as “cross cultural”, inspired by traditional Chinese architectural aesthetics and Oriental zen. A graduate of the Ecole Superieure des Arts et Techniques de La Mode in Paris she then apprenticed with Kenzo.
She later returned to her native Wenzhou to set up her studio, becoming the designer to celebrities and a much awarded celebrity herself, professor at the local fashion school, fashion authority for the local newspaper and consultant.
She does custom work, and also sells at the D2C boutique in K11, one of Shanghai’s top luxury shopping destinations. One of her favorite things is designing for the famed Wenzhou opera.
Besides cocktail dresses and ball gowns in gorgeous silks and brocade, she designs headpieces like the striking French flaneurs.
Sometimes she’ll use a traditional, ethnic headpiece that is especially striking:
Her fashions start at 2900 RMB (about $430 USD).
She also makes pillows, handbags and cases for laptops in the distinctive art fabrics.
