The Bite Magazine Issue 17

WAN HUNG London A rising star in cutting-edge menswear attire, Gina Gill discovers designer Wang Hung’s AW16 collection that has some very futuristic aspects. D ESIGNER P ROFILE I n recent years, menswear has come a very long way. Historically, womens- wear has garnered the most attention and thus the designers behind those collections have been mostly in the spotlight. However with the launch of London Collections: Men, several seasons ago it’s become ever more apparent that our capital’s creative talent excels at both ends of the spectrum, presenting even more cutting edge collections and pushing the boundaries of traditional menswear.Wan Hung is exactly one such designer. The designer, returning to London Col- lections: Men for the second time this season, showcased an exemplary offering, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting career ahead. Wan Hung Cheung launched his eponymous label in 2014, following his graduation from the prestigious Central St Martins. Having interned for the likes of Tom Ford, John Rocha and Bernhard Willhelm, he gar- nered his premier work experience to strike out on his own. Born and raised in Hainan (a glorious tropical island that is often described as the Hawaii of China), Hung no doubt draws inspiration from his exotic home- land. Coconut palm trees, golden sandy beaches and acres upon acres of rain- forest, the island is the ultimate muse and Hung’s design codes offer a sharp juxtaposition of this natural beauty with his experience of urban London. His aim is to bring a piece of paradise into the luxury menswear wardrobe of today. With clean-cut tailoring and classic sil- houettes signatures of the brand, Hung sets himself apart through his innova- tive prints, contemporary flourishes and impeccable use of detailing. For the sophisticated modern man, his collections provide a breath of fresh air. For AW16, Hung was inspired by David Nolan’s Inter- stellar , the Transformer s film series and the contemporary German artist Josephine Meckseper, an artist known for critiquing the political and environmental landscape in which we live.“ This season, I wanted the collection to demonstrate the idea of break- ing free from [the] rules in life and to act as a shield to preserve the purity and irrever- ence found in childhood,” said the designer. Translated into garments, this meant a collection with transformative pieces, those that seem classic at first yet are modern and multifunctional. Key ward- robe pieces such as the long line coat and crisp tailored shirts were reimagined with the adornment of a hand woven applique, giving a three dimensional, cubic effect. Trousers are cropped and their seams manipulated, hooded jackets are emblazoned with an off kilter pin- stripe to the effect of a paint streak, that was cleverly also reflective, adding to the futuristic vibe of the collection. The knitwear is delightfully over- size, with vibrant block hues and bold graphic stripes whilst sweatshirts are made atypical through use of epau- lettes. Signature pieces include cropped trouser suits, super slim shorts and the classic Crombie coat, its hem a three bite men T R ANSFO R M