The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2019 - Issue 26

bite designer A phenomenal designer who recently showcased her AW19 collection at Milan FashionWeek is Angel Chen. This uber-talented, young fashion designer took her focal inspirations for this season from the Qiang Tribe. Diving into tribal style as the main influence is a signature of Chen, and by doing so permits her as a designer to use a variety of textile techniques from other cultures within her collections. Her thorough research showed through her remarkable fabric choice. Originating from China, Angel Chen grew up with a keen interest in the creative industry that is fashion. She went on to further her education with a BA Fashion Design degree inWomenswear at the renowned Central Saint Martins. Since graduating, the designer has been awarded the Woolmark Prize 2019 for her innovative textile skills with wool. In the past, she has focused on recycling items such as coffee bags and using textile techniques such as embroidery, hand weaving, knitting, and crochet within her fashion designs. During the research and design process of her AW19 collection, Chen focused on zero waste and the coming away from the maltreatment of animals. This is an exceptional move to make for a designer emerging within this industry. The fashion world is fast-paced with its constant turnover of trends making it ever wasteful. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important for this generation’s fashion and textile designers to consider the impact their designs have on our environment. Chen is a brilliant example of these special designers, as she has used an ecological dyeing process that saves energy and material. The reactive dyeing technique is called ‘Anofix’ and has permitted her to create the multi- colour wool fur jackets featured in her AW19 collection. She then went on to impress the judges of the Wool- mark Competition. Appropriately titled ‘The Shepherd’ this season’s col- lection comprises of striking pieces that each uniquely represent key traditional forms that Chen has drawn inspiration from within the Qiang tribe. This tribe’s people are one of the oldest ethnic shepherds group in China who live in the east of Tibet, Western China. Shepherding is of great importance to their commu- nity. Drawing inspiration from such a dense costume style that the Qiang people are known for, yet doing so with her signature, Chen has showcased her beautiful capabilities. An enriching colour palette of bold reds, pinks, striking yellows, and oranges along with deep navy provides a contrast for the eyes to wander across. This highly satu- rated palette floods the mind with its rich colour, which coordinates well with Chen’s talented use of textures. One of the designer’s favourite pieces is the highly embroidered yellow, orange, and red sleeveless dress due to her choice in techniques. Using cording embroi- dery, Chen has managed to represent the floral shepherd pattern. The garment has been styled with oversized, straight cut red trousers. The look permits the wearer to be bold, yet at the same time delicate due to the handwoven technique the designer has used. Structures within this collection have been oversized and thick layers upon woven layers. Taking features like sleeves to the next level, she styled a hooded jumper underneath a jacket, with matching bold, yellow sleeves. The outfit emanates comfort in its entirety and excites us for the oncoming playfulness within our wardrobes this season. Chen successfully presents her audience and market with her highly fashionable and on-trend comfort wear. Locking the cold out this season with such charming pieces are her enlarged pockets that make up half of the collection of oversized, insulated jackets and small, orange fuzzy gilets. The collection works with the current trend of workwear and plays with forms of menswear. Chen uses her first name ‘Angel’ labelling garments across the chest in bright red and white. This provides a strong contrast to the blues of a particular outfit’s top and synched in utility-style trousers. Further noticing trends, her collection sports cycling shorts and colour-palette-appropriate tights allowing for added warmth. Chen has ensured that her womenswear collection was presented with no segregation in mind by using men and older women to say that it is suitable for all, and there shouldn’t be any limits to the type of people she wishes the collection to appeal to. Other textures added a youthful touch to such a bright collection with the use of tassel patches and ball-shaped cushions that encompassed an entire jacket and bag to suit. Within her pattern and prints used for her denim, the central theme that was inspired by the shepherd tribe was continually present. Plaid and dark denim played a large part in this season’s AW19 collection. Chen took the traditional structure and patterns used from denim jeans within the upper sections and embarked on another journey with her looks experimenting with lengths of colour and pattern such as plaid, that had also made an appearance in her coordinating shoe designs. The designer’s pieces did not take themselves too seri- ously, but yet will always effortlessly impress the eye. Accessories such as a bright orange coloured wig and exaggeratedly long horns added to the futurism of Chen’s collection. Not forgetting the designer’s unique shoe designs that are made for incredibly perfect styling, alongside such an otherworldly collection. Her shoes looked as though they had stepped straight off Mars, with their chunky platform sole structure landing against the runway with every step these powerful looks take towards us. www.angelchen.com