Designer Feng Chen Wang presented Converse by Feng Chen Wang‘s and brand’s Spring Summer 2020 collection, on Saturday October 12th, as part of LABELHOOD Pioneer Fashion & Arts Festival, during the recently finished Shanghai Fashion Week.
SPRING SUMMER 2020 MENSWEAR COLLECTIONS
“On her latest design trip to the Converse archive in Boston, Feng was fascinated with a pair of Air Force boots, originally knows as the A-6 Pilot Winter Flying show. Together, Converse and Feng crafted a head-to-toe collection that interpreted the utilitarian origins of Converse, through the conceptual, yet functional aesthetic quintessential to her namesake.
Founded as the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in 1908, ten rubber galoshes, Converse’s first products, were produced on April 30, 1909. Tactical products such as leather duck hunting boots, wading boots, and military footwear would be crafted throughout the brand’s history, such as the A-6 Pilot Winter Flying shoe, which served as the primary inspiration point for the collaborative assortment.
Crafted with utilitarian details, the looks debuted on the runway amidst a backdrop of scenery and lights that captivated the audience with an adventurous spirit. As Feng remarked, “the bravest keep climbing up the mountains to reach the peak. And Converse has been evolving for over a century to become a true classic. Tonight, we write a fragment of its history, making a small step forward for both brands.
The capsule is complemented by Feng’s SS20 assortment which celebrates China’s ancient, rich culture, and serves as a reminder that the past is precious and traditional crafts are worth keeping alive. The blue and white fabric utilized throughout the presentation – traditionally known as “lanyinhuabu” as well as the bamboo weaving, natural dye and sustainable fabric techniques, are all a unique manifestation of Chinese tradition. Feng enlisted individuals who practice these crafts in order to bring these archaic fabrics, techniques, and knits to life in her designs through a modern fashion language.“
Images Courtesy of © CONVERSE BY FENG CHEN WANG / REP AGENCY
