Taipei Fashion Week opened its Spring Summer 2023 season with “CrossLab: Dialogue Between Indigenous Art and Fashion” a themed group runway show highlighting the collaboration between 5 Taiwanese designers alongside 5 expert indiginous artisans.

The show explores the intersection of fashion, craft and humanity through 50 pieces, emphasizing the importance of preserving and passing along cultural traditions and design techniques from various indigenous groups while building community and fashion with a new perspective. Modern civilization is the crystallization of historical accumulation, which is the mission of Taipei Fashion Week.

“The opening show focuses on exploring the innovative possibilities of the treasured crafts of the Taiwanese indigeous communities, and transforming these nationally cherished methods into new inspiration for fashion designs.”

Lee Yung-Te, Ministry of Culture.

With such uncertainty around us, the Ministry of Culture in Taiwan sees heritage preservation as a necessity, their key goal being to protect culture whilst also fostering creativity.

Seta Bakan ( Seediq Tribe ) x MCFLY CHO

McFly Cho ( DYCTEAM ) worked alongside Seta Bakan to create pieces using a jacquard weave inspired by the traditional patterns of the Seediq Tribe. The street style pieces were presented in both denim and jacquard to transform the traditional patterns into wearable everyday looks.

YUMA TARU ( Atayal Tribe ) x CHIAHUNG SU 

Chiahung Su worked with Yuma Taru of the Atayal Tribe to create materials using the traditional technique of Atayal fabric dying. The collection presents a soft, contemporary style with a theme of natural soft elegance running throughout the lineup.

Zeqong ( Kavalan Tribe ) x SHAO YEN CHEN

Working alongside Zeqong of the Kavalan Tribe, Central Saint Martins trained Shao Yen Chen used banana leaf silks to present an inventive and fun mixed gender collection. The colour palette and silhouettes referenced that of the banana leaves which were used to create the plant fiber fabrics.

MIYANG ( Paiwan Tribe )  x BOB JIAN

Bob Jian worked alongside Miyang to take the pattern of the Paiwan Tribal Tjemenun weave and give it a modern twist by mixing an unexpected palette of colours to create a vibrant collection.  The garments featured structured shapes and silhouettes with capes, bell sleeves and fishtail skirts to create a striking evening feel.

Photo

LJAVAUS ( Paiwan Tribe ) x JUSTIN CHOU

Heavily embellished capsule collection created by 6 time NYFW participant Justin Chou from Justin XX with help from Ljavaus of the Paiwan Tribe.  The designer created a unique one off  Cyberfolk, futuristic range of beaded and weaved pieces with a vivid colour palette.  The collection paid homage to the Kinavatjesan embroidery.

Photos by dyelog.co.uk