lfm1001

"My collection is a contrast between old and new," she explains. "All the pieces are created for modern peoples' wardrobes, with handmade details and A-line silhouettes revealing their links with traditional Miao costumes." Surprisingly, Shi has never been to Yunnan Province, or met the Miao people. The 24-year-old spent four months researching Miao culture and another two months designing and making the clothes, all by herself. She made an all-white pleated cocktail dress inspired by the pleating details on traditional Miao clothing. She found large, Miao-style silver headgear and necklaces from local markets to accessorize her designs. Shi created a one-of-a-kind print featuring tangled strings, evocative of Miao women's intricate hairstyles. The print is used on several tops. The show also featured dramatic pieces like weird skirts made from hard metals (think the "circus dress" Katy Perry wore to the MTV Awards). At the same time, there were also stylish, wearable outfits such as a gray suit with decorated shoulders and asymmetrically cut coats decorated with fake-fur tassels. At the show booths were set up next to the runway to showcase students' works from each department, as well as products from sponsors, including hair care to jewelry, catering services to education. The smell of money, or rather, the accent of commerce, was in the air. Nowadays, more and more fashion students have come to realize the importance of marketing and merchandising their designs.