Featuring a press release that contained a series of seemingly random words such as ‘offline’, ‘blogsphere’, ‘light’, and ‘caring’, it was quite hard to decipher what Xander Zhou’s latest offering would be about.
Xander Zhou’s SS14 collection stuck to the major trend of Spring/Summer 2014 – monochrome. Black, white, and grey was used heavily throughout the collection. Jackets were a big focus in this collection, in black, white and camel, with oversize collars that overlapped the lapels. Although they were not explicitly smart jackets, the structure and cut of them makes the wearer instantly more refined. Zhou also created printed jackets, with photographs and artwork. This possibly where the ‘blogsphere’ comes in, as the artwork is typical of sites such as Tumblr.
Away from jackets, blazers were another prominent feature. Single and double-breasted, most had sleeves longer in length than normal, this is a take on the blazer that will be interesting to see if it becomes a trend. Another trend that is big news in Spring/Summer 2014 is PVC, and Zhou’s collection had PVC vests in mustard tones. Where colour was used, it was in soft shades of pink and egg-shell blue, but restricted by cut outs of black and white. Xander Zhou seems to have also taken on the cummerbund and made it more relaxed and casual. This was seen paired with shorts and vests in matching colours.
The press release for Xander Zhou’s SS14 collection ends with him saying ‘what matters is that you share what you like’. This was apt, as what Zhou shared with us we will no doubt be embracing wholeheartedly.
Words and Pictures by Nathan Agyekum
