Dan Liu SS19 Collection

On Tuesday evening, September 11, fashion enthusiasts flocked to TriBeCa’s Spring Studios to view the Dan Liu SS19 Collection runway show amidst the excitement of New York Fashion Week. The Canadian designer, originally from Hong Kong, paid homage to his Chinese and Japanese heritage with a collection infused with East Asian themes and patterns.  

The show opened with a bold performance from a dancer cladded in a traditional red robe and a white masked headdress. The dancer advanced through the aisles in a series of lunges, kicks, and sharp arm movements led by the twirling of his fan, which, in combination with the dimmed lights and low drum rhythms, made an exciting and energetic prelude to the show.

What followed was a series of beautiful and sophisticated dresses, beginning with whites and pale hues of flowing skirts with recurring motifs of crochet and lace overlay. The color palette then fluidly transitioned to pinks and reds with floral patterns, including embroidered roses and Japanese cherry blossoms, which were complimented by thin fabrics exuding a petal-like delicacy.  

Paired with the elegant lines of the dresses were sharp pops of color on the face; the models wore turquoise eyeshadow, cherry doll-like lips, and bright pink blush over porcelain skin.  

The variety of floral patterns remained consistent as the collection moved into deeper and cooler tones, and from there fluctuated from star-studded navy blue to black and white chic all the way to rainbow striped vibrance, all of them ultimately returning to the very romantic and feminine feel.

Through their fluttering sleeves, ruffled cuffs, and pleated skirts, the designs embodied movement and texture, drawing out a very sensual and tactile essence. This, in harmony with the presentation’s mood, embraced the ethereal, dreamlike quality that characterized the collection.