Global Fashion Collective II evident of the globalization of the fashion industry

Global Fashion Collective is a platform supporting creative designers from around the world that has helped bring a different set of international designs to New York Fashion Week every season. This season the collective brought Queenie Zoe and Hightli for Global Fashion Collective II. The organization helped them produce a runway show with the aim to accelerate the designers global development, increase their international media visibility, and open up new markets.

First to hit the runway was Chinese brand Queenie Zoe by creative director Bomin Kim. Inspired by the Independence Movement Day in Korea and the start of modernization for Korean women, Kim has designed a series of gowns in a bold, feminine style. With references to traditional late 19th century silhouettes, elaborate empire line dresses with ruffled tiered godets and leg of mutton sleeves gave a sense of grandeur. Fur trims and large flouncy bows adorned the collection, and a velvet dress with exaggerated pointed collar brought beautiful contrast in black and white. The finale look incorporated a traditional Hanbok style dress with large oversized sleeves and patchwork fabrics.

The collection was a different take on evening wear, but one that American consumers watching the show wouldn't be unfamiliar with. There were the universal elements of drama that we expect from evening wear with the big skirts and statement patterns.

Designer Tong Li for China-based brand Hightli was inspired by the video game "The Legend of Zelda" in creating her latest collection "Melody". The designs work as a ‘composed song’ that coordinate relevant yet differentiated elements in an unconventional manner. A caramel colored silk shirt with flared cuffs, and high-waisted pants that cinched in the waist, gave a structured feminine look. Fabrics in herringbone, checks, and dogtooth added texture, and a cosy bold red fur coat created volume with oversized sleeves. A deep burgundy cage-like structured button up cape worn over a silver silk two-piece with bird-cage motif formed a key look.

The collection could easily be seen sitting alongside brands like Claudia Li and Tadashi Shoji. With the East Asian flare and the sense of elevated glamour, there is already a customer for this in America. Showing at Global Fashion Collective was a strategic move on Li's part.

Fashion continues to be one of the most globalized industries in business, made evident by the work of this collective.

photos: courtesy of EB Consults Worldwide