Brand Of The Week: Yingzhi Luo

Images courtesy of LCF and Yingzhi Luo

The last designer on my list of those to rave about from the LCF Loves show over a month ago is Yingzhi Luo or Chi Chi. Once again a nomadic theme shone through with a kaleidoscope of colour creating beautiful movements as the models sashayed down the catwalk. With acute attention to detail, and a plethora of plaits and beads featuring heavily; guests were excited (and scared in equal measures) by a variety of white pleated tribal masks, complete with beaded hair.

One of the most exciting designers to graduate from the Womenswear Technology BA course, Chi Chi is a finalist of of the WGSN Global Fashion Awards 2011 in the category of ‘Most Creative Student Collection’, a finalist of Nina De York Fashion Illustration Competition 2011, and has even been named as one of the ‘best fashion graduates of 2011′ by UK Vogue.

With an enthralling SS11 collection inspired by a trip to Tibet and China in 2010, Chi Chi based her colour palette on photographs, taken throughout her journey. The resulting colours are bright, vivid, and exude energy, which is symbolic of Tibetan people's kindness, boldness, faith and passion for their religion.

Utilising a variety of hand-dying techniques, frayed fabrics, plaits and beading embellishments, silhouettes are loose and breathable, reflecting the traditional shapes of Tibetan dress. With luxurious draped fabrics such as silk chiffon and silk jersey, layers have never looked so cool and casual.

Also inspired by Tibetan women's braided hair, Chic Chi translated this idea on to her clothing by developing complicated handcraft techniques such as macramé and knotting, finishing the macramé with coloured wooden beads, which symbolise the beautiful Buddha prayer beadhes.