February 8th, 2017: The Fall 2018 collection began in the depths of the Chinatown market; where east truly meets west. While there, Gao began observing the unique fusion of Chinese culture with New York City’s modern grit. With this in mind, Snow Xue Gao drew upon references from her Beijing upbringing – traditional Qipao dressing, and pajamas made popular in the 1930’s – with her affinity for men’s structured tailoring.This cultural blend also served as inspiration for fellow artist Director Wong Kar-wai, who too was born in Beijing and relocated to New York City. His feature film, 2046, is a cinematic study of female strength in which the art of dressing challenges the conventional definitions of masculine and feminine.
Traditional suiting in fine Italian wool plaids and jacquards are deconstructed in Gao’s unique design process to create a trompe l’oeil illusion — blazers morph into architectural bustiers or appear as butterflied skirts. Colorful silk dresses and shirting incorporate jewel tones reminiscent of the Kar-wai film, while market bags and bold accessories punctuate each look.For her first solo runway show during New York Fashion Week, RTW Designer Snow Xue Gao showcased her Fall 2018 collection inside the city’s largest Chinese restaurant, Jing Fong.
Photography by Gong Cheng
