Shanghai Fashion Week, one of the city’s most anticipated bi-annual events, came to a close last week. For the Fall/Winter 2025 season, designers explored the intersection of technology and fashion under the theme of “Setting new boundaries, building the unprecedented.” With brands from over thirty countries, the event featured a dynamic mix of international collaborations and local labels celebrating Chinese heritage.
EP Yaying: Homage to Tradition and Femininity
EP YAYING kicked off the show with the theme of “Elegance,” showing a fusion of intangible cultural heritage and cutting-edge technology. Founded in 1988, the brand has become known for specializing in women’s luxury fashion, drawing from cultural inspirations for contemporary redesigns. This season, EP YAYING presented sleek and feminine looks combined with graceful oriental aesthetics.
The collection features a recurring peony motif woven throughout the designs, accompanied by a digital installation of peonies above the runway. EP YAYING collaborated with the Chinese paper-cutting master, Yang Jinqiu, and Suzhou silk embroidery artist, Zou Yingzi, to develop textured and shimmery pieces. Combining tradition with modernity, EP YAYING also invited a traditional Kunqu Opera singer and a guitar soloist for a genre-defying performance.
Robots on the Runway
On day two, Unitree Robotics – yes, the same company that went viral for their robot Yangge Dance at this year’s Chinese Spring Gala – debuted their long-anticipated G1 humanoid robot. The robot, along with one of Unitree’s robotic dogs, strutted down the runway dressed in NMTG’s latest collection.
With a cyberpunk horse installation in the background and models interacting with the robots, the collaboration embodied NMTG’s vision of merging technology with nature. Its Fall/Winter collection drew inspiration from the nomadic Evenki clan in the northern Heilongjiang province and incorporated the Tibetan Nine-Eye rope braiding, blending ethnic high-fashion with high tech.
Futuristic, Cyberpunk, and Y3K
BillionDevon took the runway with a theme of “The 25th Hour of Billie.” The brand is named after a fictional alien girl, Billion, and her space kitty, Devon. With the help of AI and virtual reality, BillionDevon crafted vibrant and otherworldly designs that exemplify the Y3K aesthetics. The collection is layered yet clean, sexy yet functional. It’s a careful balance of edginess and everyday wearability.
金利來 (Goldlion) 3388 impressed once again with its innovative suit collection, bringing classical Chinese patterns and designs into formal wear. The result is a “distinctive retro charm with the adventurous spirit of space exploration.” Its newest collection boasts elegance while also feeling bold, assertive, and distinctly Eastern.
Weiræn, an emerging label that made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week last year, returned for another boundary-pushing sci-fi-inspired collection. With its signature use of metallic finishes and transparent fabrics, Weiræn blends the virtual and physical worlds together. The brand experiments with diverse textile designs and apparatuses—more akin to sculptures—bringing to the runway a wearable fever dream that transcends space and time.
Say goodbye to bulky, shapeless winter down jackets. AWR (Awonder Reborn) is changing the game with its stylish redesigns. Inspired by Ex Machina, AWR transformed down jackets into capes, gowns, and skirts. The “Avenir Moderne” collection features bold accent colors, as well as simplistic, muted tones. Founder Weng Wenbiao—who has over a decade of experience in the down products industry—is dedicated to creating down apparel that fuses modern functionality with futuristic aesthetics.
Victory Lap
The recent Shanghai Fashion Week concluded with Nike’s “Victory Lap,” a powerful showcase that redefines fashionable sportswear celebrating women in sports. For an immersive showcase, the runway was turned into a race track lit up with glowing lane lines. Chinese athletes Xu Huiqin, Zhang Deshun, Ge Manqi, and Lin Yuwei took center stage, joined by J-pop girl group XG, who showed off chic and bold designs that effortlessly blend sports and fashion.
Nike debuted several items, including the Swoosh Bra, Vomero 18, Alphafly 3, and the Windrunner jacket, all designed to highlight strength and functionality. The brand also collaborated with Chinese designers to bring versatility into sports fashion. Susan Fang showcased an ethereal collection with delicate, flowing laces. Mark Gong followed with designs that highlight agility and simplicity. AO YES unveiled Neo-Chinese designs accented in striking red. Finally, Windosen presented a collection inspired by the retro-futurism of the Y2K aesthetic.
For more on the forefront of fashion, be sure to check back in throughout this month as we continue to offer stories under our theme of Couture. Also, catch our coverage from some of Shanghai Fashion Week 2025’s shows, like Weiræn’s, on our Instagram page to come.
All images via Weibo.
