2026 | Professional

Entrant
Category
Client's Name
Country / Region
The Xici Zhuan of the Book of Changes states: “Manifested in benevolence, concealed in function.” This suggests that true power is both expressed outwardly through visible virtue and embedded inwardly within latent utility. “Concealment” represents inward accumulation and quiet cultivation, while “manifestation” reflects outward release and subtle expression. The two are not opposites on the surface, but rather form a profound balance between movement and stillness, between the visible and the intangible.
Huan Faye Chien establishes “Hidden and Found” as its core philosophy. Designer Hongfei Qian excels at employing the language of contemporary Western design to interpret the restrained and implicit spirit of Eastern culture, allowing traditional imagery to be revitalized through modern tailoring and silhouettes. Through her garments, she seeks to offer wearers an adjustable mode of expression—enabling them to freely shift between the degree to which they are “seen” and the extent to which they feel “protected” in different contexts—thereby constructing a more authentic and self-determined relationship with the self.
Drawing inspiration from the mythical creature Bai Ze in The Classic of Mountains and Seas, Huan Faye Chien introduces the collection —" Return to One II". As an auspicious creature in Eastern mythology, Bai Ze has long been regarded as a symbol of wisdom and protection. Over time, it has evolved from a concrete mythological form into a spiritual emblem, embodying humanity’s deep-seated longing for order, insight, and shelter.
Through structural deconstruction, the image of Bai Ze is ultimately distilled into dozens of garments. Its skeletal contours are translated into silhouettes and internal cutting lines, while the layered texture of its fur is reinterpreted as prints and material surfaces. Multi-layered segmentation lines visually reinforce the symbiotic connection between human and mythical being, giving the tailoring a restrained yet intricate complexity. The overall color palette remains soft and low in saturation, punctuated by occasional high-saturation details—like fleeting emotional expressions within a rational order—creating a visual rhythm that is both subtle and richly layered.
Credits
Entrant
Jizhuo Li
Category
Ready-to-Wear /