Streetwear Takes on New Meaning at Taipei Fashion Week 2024
Written by Kaelie Piscitello
At Taipei Fashion week, some shows told a story, while other pieces inspired entertainment and joy. Both approaches to the runway enchanted me and made me curious to see what came next, and I never left a show disappointed. The community at each show welcomed everyone, and I loved going to each one, unsure of what I would experience.
Going into Taipei Fashion Week, I expected a similar vibe to what I experienced at London Fashion Week in 2022. While Taipei Fashion Week still offered free drinks and snacks, it felt more like the average person could go there and appreciate the events.
The shows exuded the perfect mix of the expected outlandish fashion with looks the average person might wear, and some brought an interesting perspective to the table by commenting on modern-day problems we face as a society through fashion.
Dleet’s Influence on Modern Taipei Streetwear
From the start, I loved Dleet’s new line because I felt like I could wear it as an average consumer. Their line inspired inclusivity, and anyone could belong at this show because of their designs’ streetwear feel. Each look taking the stage had color coordination, making them all appeal to the eye.
The theme of “After the Party” fit the clothing because each outfit look looked cozy and had an element of something you might want to wear the day after a night out.
Dleet’s combination of sweatshirts and baseball caps appealed to the masses, and I could see many Taiwanese people wearing the baseball caps with side flaps they designed. One of my favorite looks was an all-white ensemble with a beautiful floor-length skirt.
It matched an understated but elegant white tank top with a high neck bunching together at the bottom. I could see myself or some of the other teachers at school wearing this outfit to work. I also loved an all-red ensemble with another high neck and long skirt. It seemed classy, and the color could make anyone stand out.
Chow des Homme
Chow des Homme’s show rocked my world. At first, I felt confused about why the models came out with makeup that made their faces look bloodied. However, I realized each outfit told a story about a group of people and how modern-day issues impact them.
As the background music chanted “I can’t breathe” repeatedly, I took in the stories of the “Invisible Victims” portrayed by Chow des Homme.
Some outfits commented on the fast food industry and the influx of unhealthy eating worldwide. The first model on the runway, for example, devoured a burger in seconds, and her sweatshirt featured a giant burger alongside Burgerciaga’s logo.
Other looks called out the sexualization prevalent in many media sources today and how that can lead to higher incidents of sexual violence. They featured plays on words and companies, including “FedSEX.”
Some commented on the impact of war and highlighted elements of army clothing such as camouflage and dog tags on outfits. One outfit I found interesting made a statement about the confining aspects of the corporate world with pants nearly going up to the model’s shoulders and a belt constricting their ability to move their arms. Others gave a nod to the United State’s impending election and featured photos of Donald Trump.
As the invisible victims stood together at the end of the show, I couldn’t help but feel moved. It’s one thing to hear about how other countries view Americans. It’s another to see it laid out on such a large scale. It saddened me but filled me with the hope that the world would work together to fix these problems.
Hansen Atelier
Hansen Atelier brought glitz and creativity to high-end fashion with fun twists on traditional formal wear. I loved watching the models take the runway in stunning embroidered blazers.
Each blazer’s had stitches made in light colors and popped against the dark background. My favorite look was the black blazer with the white flowers embroidered on the back and the black floor-length skirt.
The designers also took a spin on classic looks. For example, they paired a baseball cap paired with a black rolled-up sweater over a button-down. Each outfit looked preppy but classy, and I wanted to wear many of them.
Of course, the piece de resistance was the all-black women’s outfit with a sheer, sparkly top with black streaks going down the front and back and the floor-length glittery skirt paired with it. The designers did a fantastic job crafting their 2024 lineup. I loved admiring their beautiful work.
InfDark
InfDark took creativity and flexible fashion to a new level with its many 2-in-1 pieces. As the lights dimmed, the string quartet took their place center stage and began to play well-known classical pieces. Then, the models emerged, and began to subtly change their outfits. Someone could tie up the bottom of a shirt to make it look different or let the top piece of it flow down.
However, as the show went on, the changeable pieces became more and more complex. Some models removed their hair from the bottom of their heads to the top and others revitalized their outfits completely. This was the most shocking but captivating piece of the show for me. I couldn’t help but feel awed when a model unzipped cutouts from her royal blue jumpsuit and zipped them together to make a purse!
In addition to the flexibility of the clothes, the designers made them all from beautiful colored fabrics. I loved the rich blue used in many of them the most, and I couldn’t take my eyes away from any of the outfits made with it.
Seivson
I had high expectations for Seivson because the show quickly sold out, and I only managed to receive a ticket a few hours before the doors opened. As promised, the designers exceeded my expectations. The catwalk turned into a magical forest, and light pink trees dawned on the runway’s sidelines, reminding me of Taylor Swift’s Evermore era on her tour.
Seivson’s lineup included flat shoes and blonde braids tied around most model’s necks. While I don’t exactly know the braids’ purpose, they certainly added character to the looks the models worked with. Many of the outfits elevated typical streetwear to a new level. For example, the designers gave a typical puffy black cloak layers and flaps all around it.
Beyond the diverse takes on typical clothing, Seivson added some high-quality pieces to streetwear anyone could use, including an edgy black sweatshirt with a picture of peach with screws in it. One of the models also wore a puffy black skirt stretching towards the ground. Seivson brought edge and originality to the clothes I would see people wearing around Taipei.
Takeaways
Taipei Fashion Week 2024 offered an unforgettable dive into both Taiwan’s fashion culture and broader global trends, seamlessly blending artistry with social commentary and high-end with streetwear. Each show revealed new layers of creativity and intent, celebrating Taiwanese style while opening dialogues on societal issues.
From the adaptable designs of InfDark to Seivson’s edgy, everyday wear, the range of looks demonstrated that fashion here isn’t just about clothes but also about shared experience and community.
I left each show not only inspired by the beauty on display but also profoundly connected to the stories told on the runway. Taipei Fashion Week is a space where art and reality converge, making me eager to see what Taiwanese designers will unveil next.
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