WWD China Mounts ‘Heritage Next’ Exhibition in Paris
Marking its fifth anniversary, WWD China, one of the youngest members of the WWD global family, is continuing to help elevate Chinese fashion on the world stage through exhibitions and runway shows of emerging Chinese designers.
“When WWD China launched in 2019, we knew a seismic shift was coming — McKinsey had already predicted China would soon become the world’s largest fashion market,” said Lynn Fu, chief executive officer and cofounder of Chinamind Next, which operates WWD China. “In five years, we’ve built key tools like the Fashion Vibrant Cities list and the GDF Sustainable Fashion Designer Alliance, now with over 120 designers, to champion original design and ensure Chinese talent thrives globally.”
A series of events titled “Heritage Next” began in September, marking the journey from WWD China’s inception to its new phase of growth in the Chinese market.
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“Heritage Next” began Tuesday and will feature major exhibitions in Paris and Shanghai during the month, celebrating WWD China’s anniversary and the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations.
To mark its fifth anniversary, WWD China has partnered with Samaritaine Paris Pont-Neuf, the famed department store, to present the exhibition “Heritage Next — Heavenly Embroidery (La broderie chinoise, tissage du rêve et de l’élégance).”
Curated by Rosalie Huang, chief artistic director of WWD China, the exhibition showcases a cohort of emerging Chinese designers — Chen Peng, Feng Chen Wang, Susan Fang, Caroline Hu, Shuting Qiu, William Shen, Katrina Wu, Leaf Xia, Yang Yingying and Zhi Chen — who are helping to redefine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary flair.
Huang is also showcasing craftsmanship through a Miao embroidery costume, created with 90,000 meters of thread in 51 vibrant colors, blending Miao and Jing embroidery techniques. Her work features patterns like clouds, water, dragons and flowers, symbolizing auspiciousness, wealth, longevity, protection and happiness.
Inspirations drawn from Impressionism by Claude Monet, the Chinese novel “Dream of the Red Chamber,” and French chinoiserie are also woven into these artisanal works.
Drawing from China’s vast cultural heritage, designers have reimagined techniques such as Guangdong’s intricate gold and silver thread embroidery and the sculptural stitchwork of Huangzhong, creating a striking balance between heritage and innovation.
Shanghai Gala: Designers and Muses
Following the Paris showcase, running until Oct. 23, “Heritage Next” will debut in Shanghai on Friday as part of the World Design Cities Conference. This exhibition bridges creativity, craftsmanship and innovation, and presents a unique tale of two cities and their shared artistic legacy.
Hosted by the Shanghai city and co-organized by UNESCO, WDCC 2024 will feature the Shanghai Gala as an official event. The second edition of the gala will spotlight designers and their muses, creating a visual dialogue between creation and inspiration.
Titled “60 X 60 Designers and Muses,” the gala will pair 60 designers with their muses, brought together by WWD China. Central to this initiative is the Global Sustainable Fashion Designers Alliance (Green Design Force), which has expanded to include 120 designers and which will debut in Europe soon. The alliance serves as a gateway for international designers entering the Chinese market and fosters collaboration between Eastern and Western creators.
Commenting on the event, WWD China’s chief content officer Johannes Neubacher, said: “The second Shanghai Gala is more than just a reunion of WWD’s creative community; it’s a homecoming where designers and muses reconnect, merging inspiration with creation.”
In collaboration with Shanghai Fashion Week, WWD China is also preparing to release the “Redefining New Chinese Aesthetic” white paper. The initiative aims to decode traditional Chinese aesthetics through a contemporary lens, bridging industry, academia and research to inspire modern design rooted in heritage.
Over the past five years WWD China, overseen by Chinamind Next, through its coverage, events and other activations has helped play a key role in the trajectory of China’s fashion industry. With its in-depth analysis and insights, WWD China has helped link brands, markets, and consumers across both East and West, from production floors to retail spaces.
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