“Suddenly transported from an ordinary day to a secret desert realm, where mundane reality and dreamlike vision meet.”
The natural beauty and perils found in the desertic landscapes of Western China conjure elusive visions of prosperity and decline. A mysterious, otherworldly aura lingers, like a fairy tale passed down through generations.
Titled “Sandboarding Express” as a reference to sand dune surfing, the 8ON8 Spring / Summer collection sets a scene where the mundane and the dreamlike collide, exploring the story of a city commuter who, in the middle of a normal day, finds himself carried away to a secret desert realm. Using a surrealistic perspective to bring a sense of the everyday into the history and culture of the Western regions, designer Li Gong envisions a kaleidoscope of images, settings and objects, both real and imagined, seen while sandboarding through the desert.
8ON8
The show unfolds as a journey over sand dunes, exploring its inspiration through natural fibers. Rugged, coated cotton, crisp poplin and ultra thin, fluid wool come together to create a dynamic texture contrast mirroring the beautiful yet dangerous remote landscape of Western China. Complex techniques and fabric treatments are enmeshed with everyday casual wear, making each piece distinctive: cactus flowers find their way into clothes through 3D knitting, prints and embroidery as their eyes turn into broderie anglaise-style air holes. Sparkling sequins on a dark woolen suit mimic grains of sand or a starry night. Little drops of rain run through a wide poplin shirt.
Combining retro elements with innovative techniques, a classic plaid motif is achieved through a sheer fabric mille-feuille sewn together to create checks. Using various printing techniques influenced by traditional Western China textiles, results vary from hand-sprayed gradient effects to wave-like plaid in knitted pieces.
Garment construction features a soft, drape-centric approach to structure. Throughout the collection, cross knots are presented in various forms including fabric-stacking, combination prints and three-dimensional effects, bringing a visual appeal and a humorous design language. Shirts drape shawl-like around the body. The brand’s signature suit tailoring remains unique, experimenting with a couture-inspired collar design that folds delicately upon itself at the back of the neck.
Balancing functionality and fashion, accessories range from lucky charm gourd-shaped bags, necklaces, sunglasses and a compass to swimming cap-like headwear inspired by scarves worn by desert dwellers. Leather shoes feature cross knots and eye motifs, turning them into fantastic creatures. Multi-material sneakers with asymmetrical lacing and draped details are designed in collaboration with Asics.
8ON8 vows to create a breezier, more romantic life; one that fills the gaps of everyday busyness with dreamlike scenes, unfolding beyond reality to shape a future yet to be imagined.
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With love,
FWO
