For Autumn/Winter 23 Claudia Wang presented a collection inspired by y2k nostalgia and nurtures the playful open heartedness we experience in childhood through vibrant designs and a bright colour pallette. ‘Civilisation of Love’ also looked at issues of body diversity, and showcased Wang’s investment in making fashion more inclusive through the use of AI technology.
Claudia Wang uses art, fashion and technology to create a playful union between mediums, inspire creativity, and push boundaries of what fashion can achieve. This collection focuses on breaking away from traditional conceptions of body image through the use of bold patterns and a vibrant colour palette, while also looking to create a narrative of love for millennials which dates back to the innocence of childhood in the 90s, at the beginning of widespread internet culture, to the present day where technology can be used in innovative ways to spread love and acceptance.
Wang’s A/W23 show opened with a unique look into the future of digital fashion. Through a video presentation, Claudia Wang invited youtuber Alizabeth, stylist Judy Chou, drag queen @chiangweiii, and AI influencer Eve (created and developed by *Digital Domain) to experience a virtual fitting of the collection. This opening moment demonstrated Wang’s investment in fashion technology, which not only aligns with the brand’s continued commitment to sustainability, but also emphasizes the boundaries that can be broken for size inclusion by virtual fashion mechanisms.
Inspired by the era of dial-up internet access, Wang’s garments are emblazoned with dots, hand-painted expressions of love and strangely shaped flowers, reminiscent of a y2k aesthetic which for millennials, represents a time of childish innocence and a curious heart. The silhouettes used follow classical geometric shapes, which are set against the brand’s classic check pattern, comprised of pink, dark gray, royal blue and khaki. These playful designs and garish colours are used in order to escape the boundaries of the traditionally prescriptive clothing shapes.
In collaboration with the *TAICCA, Wang has also created a cloud-based streaming platform with OSENSE Technology through which the ‘Infinite Love World’ she has created can be accessed on mobile devices. With a 360 degree view, mobile users can experience the ‘Civilization of Love’ show after it has happened, viewing the clothing up close, obtaining garment information, and being able to make purchases through the platform. Wang is using technical innovation to destabilize the elitist attitude to fashion week, opening up viewing opportunities to everyone and creating processes in which the garments themselves can be tried on by a range of people, with data feeding back to her researchers, to make the collections more accessible.
Wang has employed design motifs and the idea of millennial nostalgia to incite feelings of love and reminiscence from the brand’s millennial audience with this collection while also incorporating themes of body inclusivity, diversity, and sustainability.