GQ CHINA Presents New Generation Designer Brand 8ON8 | SS20

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https://www.modelemagazine.co.uk/post/gq-china-presents-new-generation-designer-brand-8on8-ss20

Since 2012 GQ China has showcased and introduced a range of recognised and trend setting, Chinese designers to the London Fashion Week runways, this season, bringing the motivated and emotionally provoking new generation designer Li Gong, to the fore front of men’s fashion for the SS20 season.

Debuting in 2017, Gong’s brand 8ON8 introduced the retro-futurism aesthetic to the London fashion scene, in the brands first international catwalk show. The showcased collection drew inspiration from the British series ‘Black Mirror’ basing the collection and its name around one of the show’s most iconic episodes ‘San Junipero’. This episode explores the concept of life after death through which an individual’s conscious can be uploaded to a cloud drive. The individuals continue to live on under preferred settings, existing in a unrestricted, limitless universe, developing themselves into a new persona after death, making up for life’s regrets.

These stimulating concepts and comprehensive idealistic society are embodied throughout the collection. Contemporary silhouettes feature throughout the collection a fitting representation of the futuristic enhancements the collection was inspired by. Sharp tailoring features alongside a contrasting colour palette, blacks’ nudes, navy’s and dulled pastels, forming a sleek flowing progression throughout.

One design incorporated the concept behind the collection, alongside a lining of minimalism, formed of a sharp tailored black blazer and loose-fitting black trousers, the ensemble incorporated the iconic chain metal detailing that featured throughout the 8ON8 collection. Displayed across the waistband of the black dress trousers, the same circle detailing also featured on the clasp of the blazer.

Representing the futuristic aspect of the collection, a gentle, dulled white trench coat featured silver detailing’s through its lining, and silver circle clasp detailing. Paired with a silver shirt to enhance the detailing further, the coat incorporated a multi-coloured striped detailed panel featuring on the chest of the jacket. Tying the look together a stiped multi-coloured head piece and black socks worn to mid shin, heightened the streetwear element, alongside the luxury aesthetic.

Li Gong expresses the concept behind his collection in the form of high fashion streetwear, each piece appealing to a contemporary audience, Gong explores a new take on the elements of traditional streetwear incorporating the classic boxy tailoring and graffiti prints alongside the unexpected inclusion of silks and 80’s style prints.

In a collection fusing luxurious menswear, flawlessly finished couture fabrics and a young energetic streetstyle aesthetic, Li Gong embodies the underrepresented mature nature of the younger generation in an unseen and inimitable way, redefining classic menswear and specializing in a progressive style of design.