Patrick Michael Hughes Senior Fashion Editor Men's Fashion Writer
Photographs by PMH and Happy Monday
SHAO Yang’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection was presented during New York Fashion Week. SHAO isn’t just a tribute to history—it’s a well crafted narrative in cultural fusion, reinterpreted for a modern audience. Set against the intimate opulence of the House of the Red Pearl in the Tin Building by Jean-Georges, the presentation carried its audience into the spirit of Shanghai’s 1930s heyday: the “Paris of the East” and “New York of the West.” It was a city alive with possibility, a global crossroads where tradition met rebellion and propriety collided with decadence. In Yang’s hands, this era became the touchstone for a collection that exudes modernity, luxury and glamour. "The electricity of cultural blending in 1930s Shanghai is something I wanted to celebrate—and reinterpret for today," Yang remarked before the show. "It was a time of tension and transformation, of tradition meeting the unknown. That same energy resonates with our moment now."
Photographs by Happy Monday
The Fall/Winter 2025 collection showcased 23 meticulously crafted looks that celebrated Shanghai’s duality—its embrace of elegance and its defiance of convention. Anchored in rich materials like wool, leather, and denim, the designs shimmered with jewel tones of amethyst, sapphire, citrine, and pink tourmaline. Yang’s signature reimagined Qipao closures, Savile Row-inspired tailoring, and nods to New York street style made every piece a cultural dialogue. “Whether inspired by a qipao or a banker’s three-piece suit, these designs are meant to thrive in New York’s concrete jungle,” Yang explained. The collection balanced excellent craftsmanship with an urban edge, marrying Old Shanghai’s sophistication with gritty contemporary New York. Menswear and womenswear broke from traditional conventions, celebrating fluidity and self-expression. Yang’s tailoring—a standout of the collection—intentionally blurred boundaries, liberating garments from traditional constraints. Jackets flowed with a sense of ease, corsetry evoked the structure of Qipao designs, and oversized silhouettes nodded to the era’s glamour.
Models strolled through the dining room of the House of the Red Pearl, the venue’s lush, jewel-toned interiors serving as the perfect backdrop for the collection’s vibrant palette. This wasn’t just a runway show—it was an experience. Guests were invited to explore the garments up close, tracing intricate embroidery and marveling at precise topstitching. The event’s sensory richness was heightened by signature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres inspired by Shanghai’s 1930s decadence, making the atmosphere both nostalgic and luxurious.
In collaboration with DataVault, SHAO took the presentation a step further by integrating cutting-edge holographic technology. Highlights included a hauntingly beautiful holographic parlor singer, projection displays that magnified embroidery and pleat details, and interactive features powered by DataVault’s ADIO® technology. The result was a multi-sensory feast that seamlessly blended traditional craftsmanship with futuristic artistry, reinforcing Yang’s ability to bridge past and present.
Photographs by PMH
This collection represents the ongoing evolution of Shao Yang’s brand. Known for her mastery of corsetry, trompe l’oeil effects, and architectural silhouettes honed through a decade of work with her bespoke suiting atelier, The Tailory, Yang has consistently built a design language that balances precision with innovation. This season, that language felt particularly resonant. Corsetry found new life in Qipao-inspired construction, while traditional Chinese garment patterns informed his topstitching. SHAO’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection is designed for the urban luxury client—someone who appreciates sophistication with a story. The presentation's exclusivity, featuring an all-AAPI cast of models, underscored its commitment to representation and cultural pride, while its innovative elements positioned SHAO as a leader in blending heritage with modernity.
Photographs by Happy Monday
In the end, Yang delivered not just a collection but an experience—a celebration of identity, transformation, and possibility. From the meticulous construction of each garment to the technological artistry of the presentation, SHAO’s Fall/Winter 2025 collection was a triumph of vision and execution. As the models made their final walk- through the audience was left with a singular impression: SHAO isn’t just designing clothes—she’s crafting a legacy, one that bridges worlds.
Photographs by Happy Monday
Photographs by Happy Monday
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