One of the most exciting NYFW runways every season comes from the Asia Fashion Collection - an incubation project featuring talented emerging designers. The purpose of the Asia Fashion Collection is to discover and nurture young designers who are from Asia. Organized by Vantan and PARCO. Co. Ltd., AFC FW24 debuted February 10, 2024 at NYFW showing both menswear and womenswear.

Five brands revealed their collections during the runway show. All of the brands and designers are from Asian countries. Photo credit: Fernando Colon

Kiyoka Hase NYFW FW24 Runway

‘NON-FICTION’ - When everyday life becomes dull, Kiyoka Hase travels to an extraordinary world to deliver fiction through clothes. Those who fight monsters must be careful not to become monsters themselves in the process. When you look into the abyss, the abyss also looks into you. In a post-apocalyptic world that has been invaded, boys and girls wandering into an unseen future fight to find their place and reason for existence, and to create their own world. During their journey they become aware of things that they did not previously see in everyday life. At that moment, the monster becomes him/herself.

Are Hase’s fictions actually fiction? The travelers question themselves and what they should be, once again.

Miari Shigeta NYFW FW24 Runway

‘CYCLING TRAIL’ - After the coronavirus outbreak subsided, people started to ride trains again. Even though Miari Shigeta was now free to go to various places, it was painful to see crowded trains every ride. Shigeta longed to travel to free and open spaces, imaging a girl riding a bicycle to the waterside without needing a license. Inspired by cycling wear and other bicycle parts, the designer expressed the drape of a girl's long skirt pulled up and the sparkle on the water’s surface in 3D graphics.

A collection created in collaboration with illustrator "Tsuki-chan" for its main graphics and 3D modelist "aab" for the 3D graphics.

Sun Below NYFW FW24 Runway

In the car on the way to the gym, Naito Oikawa observed the scenery from the car while nervously yearning for his father’s praise. The stand looks pale and deserted even though it's still bright outside, and his father's figure shines even though despite being old and dirty.

Inspired by the sport of boxing, the brand creates clothes that shine in various ways based on the designer’s life experience of not being able to fully realize his goals and his continued struggles.

'The Ripping Essence and Distorted Allure' - The dawn air whispers. It is humid and exhales a dark breath. Within it, there is something glittering and firmly entwined. In the momentary blindness, warmth envelops the skin. It steadies the heart. Time during the creative process often stands still and is faced alone. At night's end, when the work is done, a sense of both excitement and emptiness emerges. The ultimate truth that nothing can happen without depending on one another is revealed. Just like that, the infinite cycle of creating something out of nothing, and returning to nothing, is brought to light. This realization is what RE RHEE wants to convey through its very first Fashion Week Runway.

RE RHEE NYFW FW24 Runway

Since its launch, the RE RHEE brand has drawn inspiration from all of us living in present times. To all creators in the world, you are RE RHEE’s muses; this show is dedicated to you. The brand uses fabrics that reflect the array of emotions that artists experience during their creative journey, ranging from the formidable and daunting to subtle brilliance and fleeting moments of emotion. Lace objects, sequins, leather, and more were used to merge those situations and emotions. The juxtaposition of the pristine strength of ivory and the sophistication of black, blended with point colors that highlight each individual identity are displayed throughout the collection.

Each of RE RHEE's refined design creations has its own character and was reimagined through new styling, aiming to venture beyond the materials to the final look.

YAXIN ZONE NYFW FW24 Runway

‘TRANSFORMATION’ - Continuing the footsteps of the previous season's SOLO DANCE, FW24 ‘TRANSFORMATION’ unveils unrestricted, liberated, and resolute dance movements. Drawing inspiration from cultural symbols, a gradual infusion of darkness gives rise to fresh motives and intentions, communicated through the expressive language of the body. The once pure and radiant swan transforms into silver-grey, deep grey, then ultimately flourishes into an unrestrained black swan.

Following pure passion and pain, accumulating unstoppable transformations, the transitions from pristine white to profound black unfold, resembling the oxidation process—a compelling shift in the chapters of music.

In a world solely dedicated to achieving transformations, the journey towards a closer reflection of one's true self, embracing the process of metamorphosis, is a path to liberation. Apart from the series transitioning from all-white to black, the voluminous sleeve shapes symbolizing wings gradually enlarge, eventually unfolding into the transformed wings of the black swan. To portray a dynamic texture, the eight outfits in the TRANSFORMATION series utilize tweed as the primary fabric, featuring YAXIN ZONE's signature juxtaposition technique with combinations of tweed, suedette, and denim. As a testament to support the local textile industry, the entire TRANSFORMATION series incorporates fabrics manufactured in Taiwan.

Until next NYFW season…

FASHIONADO