AW19 NYFW: Claudia Li

A JUXTAPOSITION of eccentric prints, multi-coloured tassels and Mongolian lamb sterling, the Claudia Li AW19 collection at NYFW encompassed everything the designer loves most. From its flamboyant patterns to its bold and playful colour palette, Li’s artistic background can be seen everywhere in her latest collection.

Encouraged by the response she received from women following her previous Asian-only cast spring show, Li expresses culture through her reinvention of femininity. Renowned for her ever changing experimentation with silhouettes, prints, and textures, Li showcases her eclectic taste in design through the collections diverse range of shapes and patterns. The collection is most successful through its sense of singularity, each design feels unique despite the collections recurring fabrics, shapes, and colours. Evidently, Li lives up to her reputation as a master of craftsmanship and design.

Refined tailoring and tunic-style dresses are the main components of the collection, imposing a strong almost androgynous look into the clothing. With its expansive colour palette, Li favours pink, black, blue, white and purple above all, intertwining the feminine with the masculine, monochrome with bold use of colour. Having an extensive background in fine art, Li looks at fashion through an artistic lens, with an adept understanding of colours, shapes, and patterns. Experimenting with waving and interweaving different fabrics, contrasting textures is an important element to the collection.

Accessories were another strong-suit in the collection. From the colourful weaved tassel bags to the Mongolian sheep sterling pillow-style bags, the collection brings its luxury accessories to the fore front. Varying from a classically simple black leather purse to extravagantly bold fur pieces, Li’s bag designs make a statement.

Intertwining her distinctive artistic flare into street-style, Li’s latest collection is a beautifully personal homage to everything she loves.

by Emma Hart