Paris Couture Week: The rebirth of Robert Wun

3 Jul 2024

Claiming the penultimate spotlight at Paris' Haute Couture Fashion Week Fall 2024/2025, Hong Kong-born parvenu Robert Wun unveiled a collection that artfully balanced retrospective reverence with a bold new chapter for his design journey.

A decade since launching his namesake label in 2014, the London-based couturier unveiled his latest vision under the aptly titled theme of “Time.”

“It is a search for its meaning, and the time’s effect on the ephemeral world,” read the press release.

Wun delved into transience and fragility with gowns doused in red beading reminiscent of the muscular system, ghostly grayscale suits, skeletal armor, and iridescent veils festooned with jewels.

“From the skin, through the flesh, to the bones, and the soul, a progress of stripping away, both physical and spiritual,” the designer noted.

To a soundtrack of Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s film scores, models drifted out onto the runway against a backdrop of decaying flowers, fire, and galaxy motifs – representing the death and rebirth of the seasons.

Wun’s designs are built as much on consistency as they are on creative innovation. As part of the collection, Wun updated his signature classics – such as his singed wide-brimmed hats and umbrella accessories (this time featuring frosted details to represent winter) – to express the tension between chasing newness and mastering a craft.

It’s an approach that has earned the designer cult status across China and beyond. On social platform Xiaohongshu, fans applauded Wun for his steadiness in his vision.