Tatler caught up with the Chinese fashion powerhouse during Paris Fashion Week’s spring-summer 2024 showcase, where she brought 11 Chinese designers to present on the official calendar
On the packed calendar of Paris Fashion Week (PFW) spring-summer 2024 (which featured more than 100 events across nine days), a few Chinese designer brands made their first foray into Europe since the pandemic. Undoubtedly, it was every designer’s goal to be seen on the official calendar and present their collection in the world’s fashion capital.
One such person who helped them attain this goal this year is Wendy Yu, fashion entrepreneur and founder of Yu Holdings and the Yu Prize, who works to introduce the next generation of Chinese designers to industry stakeholders.
“I have a great deal of respect and love for this land and culture, and I hope that I can help this community shine on the international stage,” the long-time Gen T honouree said when she talked to Tatler at the PFW. “I am very lucky to have a certain recognition and privilege at a very young age, and to have the ability to build this platform. It’s my honour.”
With that mindset, Yu has also set up the Yu Prize, which showcases China’s homegrown design talents to the world. The prize released its second edition last year, awarding seven brands with cash prize and partnership opportunity. The next edition will kick off in early 2024.
In case you missed it: Exclusive: How fashion powerhouse Wendy Yu is redefining ‘Made in China’
The 11 finalists of the first and second editions of the Yu Prize were also given the opportunity to present their collections at this year’s PFW spring-summer 2024. Titled The New Wave of Chinese Fashion, the event took place at Hotel Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris. Design labels Didu, Private Policy, 8ON8, Louis Shengtao Chen, Marrknull, Ming Ma, Ruohan, Windowsen, Shuting Qiu, At-One-Ment and Yueqi Qi showcased their latest lines. Diverse audiences, including international press and buyers, attended the soirée to connect with the creatives.
It also drew the attention of industry heavyweights such as Renzo Rosso, chairman of OTB Group (which houses brands like Masion Margiela and Diesel), Madame Lyu Xiaolei, secretary general of Shanghai Fashion Week, and Pascal Morand, executive president of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de La Mode (FHCM).
Tatler sat down with Yu to discuss the significance and development of the prize and what she hopes for Chinese fashion in a post-pandemic era.
Read more: Meet Yueqi Qi, the new wave designer and LVMH Prize semi-finalist redefining Chinese fashion