Kim Shui unveiled her Fall Winter 2026 collection aboard the Eternity Yacht as it traveled through New York City’s waterways, presenting 41 looks to more than 200 guests. The show marked the opening chapter of the brand’s tenth year and took place just before the Lunar calendar shifts into the Year of the Fire Horse. Photographer Katie Borrazzo recorded backstage preparation exclusively for DSCENE Magazine.
BACKSTAGE
Shui centered the presentation on motion, using the yacht’s passage and the shifting skyline to frame the collection. The garments explored Qi, a force connected to intention, memory, and transformation expressed through material and structure.
References to Mongolia’s migratory history shaped the collection’s progression. Early looks relied on velvet, felt, suede, leather, and faux fur in warm tonal palettes that emphasized protection and density. As the presentation advanced, metallic gold and silver finishes, saturated reds and greens, jewel-toned silks, and animal prints introduced brightness and surface contrast. Oversized metal jewelry and beaded detailing expanded the collection’s material vocabulary.
Traditional Chinese knotting appeared as a structural system across multiple garments. Shui used tensioned cord and handwork to form garments through connection and balance, while exaggerated pankou closures functioned as fastening and structural elements. Footwear by Dolce Vita supported the silhouettes through sculptural heels and boots.
Discover Kim Shui Fall Winter 2026 Collection
Hair and makeup supported the collection’s direction through lacquered hair forms, voluminous curls, luminous skin, and graphic liner. Nails by Sojin Oh for Sojinails referenced zhijiatao through elongated shapes finished in red, gold, nude lacquer, and liquid silver. A live guzheng performance by Nico Huzella accompanied the runway, followed by Massive Attack’s “Angel,” as the yacht continued through the city.
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