Milan, Italy – Shanghai-based designer JAREL ZHANG captivated audiences at Milan Fashion Week with his FW 25/26 collection, Misty Realm, an ethereal exploration of liminality, perception, and the unknown. The collection, showcased at the iconic Caselli di Porta Sempione, pushed the boundaries of fashion by transforming the traditional runway into an immersive, multi-sensory experience.
A Vision Beyond the Tangible
Drawing inspiration from the interplay of clarity and obscurity, Misty Realm embraces the philosophy of transition—where the familiar dissolves into the unknown. Layered silhouettes, sheer fabrics, and reflective surfaces merge structure with fluidity, mirroring the elusive nature of mist. Textures ranging from diaphanous mesh to voluminous wool convey both weight and lightness, embodying the paradox of presence and absence.
A Palette of Shadows and Light
The collection’s color story is influenced by the silent drama of dawn and dusk, featuring smoky grays, spectral whites, deep nocturnal blues, and flickers of ember red—evoking the distorted beauty of memory and shifting perception. Prints and asymmetric cuts further reinforce the idea of impermanence, as if garments themselves are dissolving into the mist.
An Immersive Showcase
JAREL ZHANG’s presentation was far from conventional. The venue was transformed into a dreamlike, futuristic realm where fog veiled the space, mirroring the ethereal aesthetic of the collection. Mirrored installations distorted reflections into infinite possibilities, bending space and time. Spectral blue and pulsating ember red lighting cast an otherworldly glow, while a hypnotic soundscape of futuristic synth waves and ambient rhythms heightened the immersive atmosphere.
Models moved fluidly through the space like apparitions navigating an undefined world, embodying the transient nature of time and perception. The experience invited the audience to embrace ambiguity, offering a profound reflection on the beauty of the intangible.
A Philosophical Exploration
Rooted in deep philosophical themes, Misty Realm draws from T.S. Eliot’s contemplation of the space “between the idea and the reality” and Nietzsche’s concept of the abyss, where the unknown gazes back. In a world that often seeks clarity, JAREL ZHANG’s collection challenges this notion, embracing the unknown as a source of beauty and transformation.
With Misty Realm, JAREL ZHANG cements his reputation as a designer who transcends fashion’s conventional boundaries, blending art, philosophy, and technology into an unforgettable experience. His Milan Fashion Week presentation reaffirms his commitment to innovation, leaving the audience in awe of the infinite unknown.