Cross-disciplinary collaborations with homegrown talent prevails at Taipei Fashion Week SS25

HELD on the grounds of the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, the biannual Taipei Fashion Week (TPEFW) welcomed Taiwanese and international guests to the latest fashion spectacle, with shows spanning from 16 to 22 October.

The atmosphere was energetic and charged with excitement, and a sense of community was felt as the countries politicians, sporting legends and celebrities joined together for this spectacle.

TPEFW is a stage to present the countries artistic history, exploring the local craftsmanship, aesthetics, and innovation. The country is well known for their textile industry, and it was evident on the runway.

TPEFW SS25 Opening show ‘Taiwan Type Illustrated Fashion Book’

Commencing TPEFW SS25 is the Opening show ‘Taiwan Type Illustrated Fashion Book’. Launched by The Ministry of Culture, the show featured collaborations between six fashion brands and six Taiwanese image creators .67ARROW x @saitemiss, #DAMUR x @weiweiboy, DYCTEAM x @raimochi, RAY CHU x @mich_un, Story Wear x @chimney_animation, TANGTSUNGCHIEN x @sammi_00712.

As one of the strongest shows of the week, these collaborations brought to life bold and beautiful creative expressions one after another. The show was presented to the audience on a dynamic runway, with looks inspired from artwork created by the designers collaborative graphic IP talent.

TPEFW has been known for having an ongoing mission of fostering cross-disciplinary collaborations, and for this year TPEFW decided to connect fashion designers with illustrators to bridge the gap, as Minister of Culture Sue Wang expressed, with a goal to reach a different viewership of Taiwan and hoping to resonate with the younger audience.

.67ARROW X SAITEMISS

To increase the events following, the opening show added a public session allowing fashion enthusiasts to attend the event. All 700 spots were filled within just nine minutes of registration, reflecting the market’s strong appetite and support for TPEFW.

In addition to the runway presentation, a public exhibition ‘Taiwan Type Super Swag’ was hosted from 17 October to 21 October 2024. The cross-boundary art exhibition was an opportunity for the Taiwanese to explore the collections, and acted as a direct contact with a broader audience.

It was also clear that for this season, there was a focus on the values of freedom and inclusiveness, with designers having the freedom to express themselves and even to the models where inclusivity and representation were present. Particularly with Olympic gold medalist Lin Yu-Ting participating as a model, who completely captivated the hearts of the audience.

TANGTSUNGCHIEN x 夏 仙 Sammi

The rest of the week saw 13 established and emerging labels fill the schedule in Taipei with individual shows, telling the story of Taiwanese-style fashion. Each designer brought their unique style and flair to present memorable spectacles.

Highly anticipated JENN LEE presented the label’s spring-summer 2025 collection, capturing the vibrant energy of childhood nostalgia in an underground bar setting. Titled ‘Echoes of Youth’, the collection is a playful yet emotional exploration of retro aesthetics, reflecting the theme of blending nostalgia with bold expression.

For this season, JENN LEE transformed the simple act of crumpling paper into organic shapes and silhouettes that define her collection. The accessories in this collection also capture a sense of sentimental rebellion, drawing from the experience of discovering forgotten treasures in old pockets— receipts, random trinkets, and ordinary objects.

JENN LEE SS25

JENN LEE SS25

For TPEFW SS25, established label Seivson makes a powerful return to Taipei, bringing the brand’s eerie, avant-garde aesthetic to the runway. The collection, titled ‘TRACES’, explores the concept of marks left behind by female growth.

Deconstructed silhouettes took over the runway, with ripped and reformed fabric to represent how the female body can break and repair. Standout pieces include the reimagining of the classic trench coat with unique pleating techniques, layered jackets and mini skirts paired with everyday items.

SEIVSON SS25

SEIVSON SS25

Taiwanese designer Damur Huang filled an evening with energy as he refocuses his attention on “love” in his latest collection. Collaborating with JSJ Entertainment, 13 artists and singers were invited to interpret their love stories through music.

#DAMUR’s SS25 collection focuses on deconstructing gender stereotypes and embracing self-identified values, using his fearless Berlin attitude to create bold designs dedicated to redefining traditional images of masculinity and femininity.

#DAMUR SS25

#DAMUR’s SS25

TPEFW wasn’t just centred around a series of runway shows, but the event also saw them team up with Breeze Xinyi to launch a new fashion Select Shop.

Located on the 3rd floor of the department store, the shop brings together a wide array of Taiwanese notable brands, showcasing everything from renowned international names to emerging designers. The shop will run for three months from October until the end of the year in a bid to continue the noise of TPEFW.

As a trendsetter in Taiwan’s fashion scene, TPEFW elevates the city’s fashion atmosphere and acts as a core platform for promoting the development of the fashion industry. With an integration of a global vision with local culture, TPEFW encourages the growth of designers and emerging brands, with its cultural and creative industries to strengthen Taiwan’s’ position in the global fashion map.

Looking ahead, TPEFW will likely continue to drive interdisciplinary collaboration to help Taiwan’s fashion shine even brighter in the international market, and become one to look out for in the fashion landscape.

by Vivian Hui