From chaotic romance to parasitic fantasies and otherworldly crochet, four Taiwanese designers brought wildly imaginative visions to the runway, proving that tradition and experimentation can coexist in unexpected ways.
FJU Talents celebrated 10 years of Taiwanese design in London Fashion Week at Fashion Scout’s venue in East London. The show is held by the Department of Textiles and Clothing at Fu Jen Catholic University, bringing an afternoon of Taiwanese craftsmanship to the runway and immersing us in the culture and fashion of Taiwan. We were blessed with four designer’s collections on the runway.
YUI KAO
Yui Kao’s collection, ‘Impulse Lover’, tells a personal story of obsession and insecurity within relationships. Among the exaggerated silhouettes and accessories lies a deep sense of fear when navigating romance. Yui Kao balances a lost sense of hope in love with lust, creating a sense of sex appeal through lace tights, arm sleeves and revealing styling.
The designer instructed models to swing their heart-shaped handbags through the air like morning stars, while others hurled bag charms into the pews. The high-energy catwalk felt like a performance of completely crashing out when your crush doesn’t text back. In the designer’s words, the collection screams, ‘Love me, love me.’ Yet the neon earmuffs, fur trapper hats and Taiwanese snack-wrapper details distract from the intensity of what the collection represents, an intentional contrast that makes the chaos even more compelling.
MIN-HSIN YU
Inspired by the contrasting sunsets of Earth and Mars, Taiwanese designer Min-Hsin Yu hand-crocheted this collection over 10 months. The dedication poured into the collection is immediately apparent. Deep reds and oranges meet solemn blues, creating an inviting yet otherworldly palette.
The care taken in the handcrafted dresses is admirable, with every piece feeling considered and meticulously made. Paired with the gowns, wide-brimmed crocheted hats slouch over the models’ heads, adding an elegant finish to the looks.
ALISON LAI
Alison Lai, who founded her collection, (She)nanigans, in 2024, is all about experimenting with silhouettes. There is a certain tension in the contrasting black, white and red colour palette, beautiful to look at, yet unsettling at the same time. Over a three-month period, Alison sewed into her designs an exploration of how women view the female body according to the male gaze.
Her confusing yet seductive silhouettes, paired with top hats, defy the norms of how a woman is expected to perform and dress. This collection is powerful because the designer isn’t afraid to challenge uncomfortable discussions in a way that never feels forced.
TING HSUAN CHANG
Ting Hsuan Chang’s vision is perverse yet modern. She grapples with the concept of a parasite entering the human body and taking over its host, transforming the disturbing idea into something visually beautiful. Ting uses fashion as a means of challenging ideas of control and autonomy over our own bodies.
The over-the-top use of neon and contrasting patterns is mesmerising. In her designs, insect-like limbs appear through the manipulation of fabrics and materials, creating tunnel-like arms and grasshopper-like legs. It sounds confusing, but on the catwalk, it makes total sense
