TAIPEI FASHION WEEK SS27
Between October 15th and 18th, right after Paris finished unveiling all its Spring Summer 2027 collections, we were invited to discover the exciting up-and-coming Taipei Fashion Week.
Based in the Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab, known also as C-Lab and Kong Zong Cultural Base, located in the heart of Taipei on the former site of the Air Force Command Headquarters, this creative space helped to host this fashion celebration in Taiwan's capital. While some runways took place around the city, the C-Lab hosted runways, presentations, panels, exhibitions, and a trade space that introduced new brands and artisans to the general public.
Designers are the epicenter of any Fashion Week event. Despite familiar names from previous editions in New York, Paris, or London, we came here to witness firsthand the fashion vision of these Taiwanese creators. On the runway, Daniel Wong, born in Canada and raised in the UK, brought a unique cross-cultural aesthetic to his collection, drawing on his international perspective and experience as a Versace print designer; Kuo Wei, designer of INFdark, drawed inspiration from Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire for his SS27; Gioia Pan surprised with a collaboration featuring DC's Batman, bringing Gotham City aesthetics to life through silhouettes, prints, and textures. Inmories and MuSH translated their shared vision into refined sportswear and basketball-inspired attire. Lastly, Jenn Lee, very familiar from previous London Fashion Week editions, continued to develop collections at the intersection of femininity, rawness, and darkness.
In the presentation format, though some brands used a hybrid runway presentation, our attention was first drawn to Charinyeh. The well-established brand presented an SS27 collection called 'Island Tides,' which perfectly unified Taiwanese concepts and connection to the ocean through craftsmanship, movement, freedom, and beauty. Yentity, brand lead by London graduate Tung Ting Yen, drew inspiration from Carl Jung's gender archetypes to explore self-discovery. Kuan Chen at Story Wear focused on the "Love Revolution" using upcycled materials; his zero-waste, denim-centered collection served as a manifesto connecting the environment, society, and culture. Yu-Ying Chou at Just In XX introduced Uniformosa, bringing culture to everyday life through uniforms backed by over 20 years of craftsmanship. Claudia Wang exemplified how AI and new technologies can be applied to fashion, translating her signature prints into fun, feminine garments. Presentations by Jean Hsia at Aish, denim brand oqLiq, and Wei Tzu Yuan rounded out the lineup.
In the Trade Show space, we discovered - and re-discovered brands such as Ray Chu (who also showed at LFW SS27), Tangtsungchien, 01 Woomin, Nethos, Yeng Ting Cho Studio, Georgia Tsao, and Tokyo Shoe Makers, among many others. Lastly, the venue hosted two key exhibitions: one dedicated to uniforms by Just In XX titled Uniformosa, and Tokyo Kimono, which showcased the traditional craftsmanship behind Japanese garments.
Taipei Fashion Week is rapidly becoming one to watch beyond the "Big Four," alongside cities like Tokyo, Shanghai, Copenhagen, Madrid, and Berlin. These destinations do not merely draw attention to local artisans and creators. They also offer a fresh, contemporary approach to fashion, Taiwan’s world-renowned technological edge has a strong presence throughout the showcases, blending innovation with its rich cultural heritage. For first-time visitors or returning travelers, Taipei offers an exceptionally welcoming atmosphere, complete with warm hospitality, a vibrant culinary scene ranging from night markets to fine dining, and a resilient history shaping both present and an exciting future.
Many ideas from these emerging markets could help refine more established events, such as London Fashion Week. Taipei demonstrates the value of organizing a multi-layered experience — not just for press, but for emerging creators who need an extra push. Features like spaces for direct-to-consumer sales and wholesale, dedicated networking hubs for brands, buyers, press, and audiences, with live broadcasts, and panels discussing key industry trends, ideas and concerns to create an event that resonates far beyond the typical 15-minute runway show.
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