SANKUANZ presents its Fall Winter 2025.26 collection, Chöd – Laughter of the Dakinis, marking the seventh chapter in the brand’s ongoing exploration of Himalayan traditions. The collection draws inspiration from Chöd, a Tibetan meditative practice centered on severing attachment to the physical self. Practitioners venture into remote locations at night, chanting and playing ritual instruments to embrace the wisdom of selflessness. This philosophy serves as the foundation for SANKUANZ, translating spiritual concepts into tangible fashion.
The collection continues the brand’s signature approach of combining historical influences with modern design, incorporating elements of high fashion and streetwear. Traditional motifs take on new forms, creating garments that reflect both ancient philosophy and contemporary expression.
Himalayan clothing remains a key reference point, interpreted with refined silhouettes and structural innovation. The flowing shape of the Tibetan robe informs oversized coats with cocoon-like volumes, while subtle oriental details enhance their construction. The traditional drape of the robe is reimagined as a structured fold, forming a discreet kangaroo pocket on outerwear.
Asymmetrical wrap tailoring continues to shape jackets, striking a balance between historical elements and modern practicality. These design principles extend across staple pieces, from structured suits and denim jackets to coats and shirts. Fabrics with deep cultural significance, yak wool and silk, are reworked into denim streetwear and rich velvet eveningwear, offering a versatile interaction between heritage and contemporary style.
The jewelry collection reflects the Himalayan perspective on life’s transience, embracing impermanence rather than fearing it. Crafted in the shapes of human figures and body organs, these pieces incorporate the triangular symbol of femininity alongside recurring motifs from previous collections. More than accessories, they serve as wearable reflections of spiritual insight, connecting ancient philosophy with modern design.
Accessories take cues from ceremonial attire, incorporating symbolic elements from Himalayan rituals. Baseball caps are transformed with elaborate beadwork and tassels, referencing masked headdresses used in traditional ceremonies. A clutch bag is shaped to resemble Tibetan scriptures, while stoles and hobo sling bag straps are sculpted in the form of human figures. Each of these elements reinforces the collection’s central theme, examining life and death through a contemporary lens while honoring spiritual heritage.
This season, SANKUANZ collaborates with the experimental Young Boy Dancing Group (YBDG), a collective known for its immersive performance art. The dancers, their bodies painted red as a reference to the previous collection, Dancer in the Void, channel primal energy through movement. Their performance aligns with the meditative and transcendent ideas of Chöd, reinforcing the collection’s core philosophy.
Artistic collaboration: Young Boy Dancing Group, With Candela Capitan, He Sun, Dushan Petrovich, Maria Metsalu, Manu Anima
Styling: Shangguan Zhe
Casting: Troy Casting
Hair: Joana Neves
Make-up: Jindian Yang
Music: Oxhy, Ssaliva
Production: hermanaparis
FOH photography: Gregoire Avenel
FOH videography: Thomas de Cruz Media
