At the 2024 YOUTOPIA Finals, held during Shanghai Fashion Week, burgeoning creative talent took the spotlight. Co-hosted with the Shanghai Fashion Designer Association, and with Bose as a key partner, this year’s runway show explored the fusion of music and fashion.
YOUTOPIA, a fashion hub and community platform under the LABELHOOD brand, serves as a launchpad for young designers. Its participants vie for the titles of “YOUTOPIA superstar” and “YOUTOPIA spotlight,” showcasing their innovative designs. Among eight creatives presenting collections at the 2024 finals was Linxi Liu, a 25-year-old designer and postgraduate student specializing in womenswear at the Royal College of Art. Liu has already garnered recognition for her wares that explore themes of identity and heritage.
Central to Liu’s work is her interest in the intricate complexities of hair, which she incorporates as both a tangible design element and a metaphorical symbol. In Liu’s hands, hair takes on a new dimension as she integrates its structure and rhythm into her textiles.
Historically, different hair styles have represented social status and identity in China. One of Liu’s most significant inspirations is Empress Wanrong of the Qing Dynasty, a historical figure who navigated the delicate balance between traditional imperial Chinese customs and the emergence of modernity, as exemplified through her hairstyles.
Having faced challenges and misunderstandings in her creative pursuits while growing up, Liu turned to her own hair as a means of expression, experimenting with distinctive styles and colors. She explains, “Hair is a form of self-expression. In the past, it signified one’s place in society. Today, it represents individuality.”
Liu emphasized that for aspiring designers, the journey to the runway can be daunting, demanding substantial time and resources that may pose obstacles for newcomers. However, platforms like YOUTOPIA provide an alternative by offering a chance to showcase one or two carefully curated looks on a grand stage. Shanghai Fashion Week, with its global reach, has been instrumental in giving her and others a platform to share their visions through fashion. Inspired by Shanghai itself and its culture of innovation, Liu is driven by ambitious aspirations for her future in the industry.
Words by Gabrielle Keepfer
Video produced by WildChina碧山
Cinematography and editing by Charles Zhu
Subtitles by Oreo Zeng, Qing Gu & Gabrielle Keepfer
A special thanks to: Linxi Liu, Lysander Zhang, Tasha Liu, LABELHOOD YOUTOPIA Shanghai organizers, and the participants.
Location: The Rockbund, Shanghai
