Steven Tai’s Quirky Collection
If you thought that the London Fashion Week was all about the glam diva who’s always dressed to the nines, think again; Steven Tai’s Autumn/Winter Collection 2016 had the laidback, gauche girl as his muse. Celebrating the spirit of “someone older trapped in a younger body”, Tai remained true to his typical affinity to fashion from the fringes.
It’s very interesting how Tai chooses to set himself apart from the mainstream by creating clothes exclusively for the unconventional woman of today. Perhaps his own personality – self-proclaimed bookworm and awkward lad that he is – propelled him to foray into the fashion world with his unique, innovative aesthetics. His work won him the inaugural Chloe award at the 2012 Hyères Festival when he first debuted his collection. He then received sponsorship from his Mercedes-Benz and well, the rest is history. Over the past 4 years, he has won many awards and much attention for his quirky clothing at various forums.
Today, Tai enjoys a cult following of people who can’t be bothered with a long list of fashion norms and conventional trends. His collection at the LFW 2016 appealed to the sensibilities of these very people. It projected the “steventai girl” as one who “feels tired before the party starts” and just wants to “curl up before her Netflix”. Thus, his apparel used fabrics and textures associated with “granny clothes”. Corduroys in soft shades, voluminous, comfy silks and patchwork detailing were used generously used to fashion outfits that were nerdy yet edgy.
His collection was a breath of fresh air in the midst of high couture creations that were predominantly “contemporary chic”. I may not have a Steven Tai creation right now but I totally get his appeal. What do you have to say about his nonconformist style?
