“Would you have tea with me?” Feng Chen Wang asks, a playful twinkle in her eye as she brandishes a 3D-printed handbag in the shape of a teapot. In this Parisian chill, a hot beverage might be welcome, but it’s just a tease for the potent brew of tradition and contemporary cool in her Fall/Winter 2024 collection.
Wang’s hometown of Fujian, nestled in the southern reaches of China, simmers with tea traditions. One, the “Hundred Family Tea,” sees communities banding together to identify the year’s best brew. This essence of shared experience infuses the collection, which swirls with earthy tones, hand-dyed textures and mineral pigment prints. Even footwear gets a touch of earthy whimsy, with clay-like overshoes sculpting Converse (thanks to their ongoing Nike collaboration).
Maturity, a thread introduced last season, continues to weave through the collection. Tailoring takes center stage, with scans of jeans and workwear printed onto suits and trench coats for a rugged elegance. Denim blazers flirt with corsetry, while intriguing pleats dance across torsos, hinting at a dressier direction.
But streetwear savvy remains in Feng Chen Wang’s arsenal, especially for women. Think form-fitting dungaree jumpsuits, tea-stained nylon blousons with a whisper of poetry, and jeans that offer jogger-like ease. And when the mercury drops, fear not-the collection offers havens of warmth like a fluffy-collared flight jacket and cocoon-like coats that are as visually appealing as they are cozy.
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The “tea” served here isn’t scorching; it’s a cool infusion of heritage, community and contemporary edge. And while some may prefer their tea piping hot, Wang’s blend leaves a lingering taste of understated sophistication, proving that a white shirt and denim can transcend the mundane when steeped in a little Feng Chen Wang magic.
But the real party is in the accessories. Wang’s effervescent personality bubbles over in a clamshell-shaped handbag reminiscent of a ceramic teapot. And let’s not forget the limited-edition Converse collaboration-two Chuck 70s with a futuristic 3D-molded sole inspired by, yes, another traditional teapot. In a season dominated by chunky boots, these sneakers could be the talk of the town.
Read more: Feng Chen Wang transforms the Converse Chuck 70 2-in-1
©Photo: Feng Chen Wang
