London College of Fashion - Collection of the Year 2011

China is unique, given its political landscape and economic infrastructure. 5,000 years of history and culture make it one of the world’s biggest and wealthiest resources. China is one of the most economically stable countries in the world today, and is attracting more and more attention from the international community. Although the country is the largest clothing manufacturer in the world, very little is known about Chinese ethnic fashion. The purpose behind this collection is to introduce undiscovered Chinese culture to the modern world, as well as to provide some new creations to contemporary fashion.

 

Nova decided to concentrate on her birthplace, a region in the province of Yunnan, China known as Shangri-La. As described in the 1933 novel Lost Horizon by British author James Hilton, “Shangri-La is a mystical, harmonious valley, gently guided from a lamasery. Shangri-La has become synonymous with an earthly paradise but particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia - a permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world.” This collection focuses on Autumn/Winter 2012, and comprises all aspects of life in Shangri-La; such as clothing, the arts, landscape, lifestyle, and architecture.

These influences are transformed into a group of modernized garments by focusing on textiles, colors and silhouettes.

 

Nova has chosen to use shapes from Chinese architecture. Inverted A-line, Rectangle and Oval silhouettes are all taken from traditional temples and houses. Her textiles have come from a variety of sources and techniques such as; machine embroidery, ink and wash painting and the use of a heat press. A large selection of bells and beads have been hand stitched onto the majority of the garments. The floral, geometric, and farm animal

prints have been very crucial to the development of this collection as they have helped create a beautiful landscape of the Shangri-La image. The color palate has been influenced by Nova’s love for Chinese ethnic costume. Bright and bold colours contrast and complement each other throughout the entire collection.

 

Shangri-Ladida reflects where Nova comes from, and who she is as a designer.