By Diane Pernet
On Saturday, September 23rd the designer Ji Cheng from Shanghai presented her collection at Dimora del Magenta, Milan.
Where Ancient Threads Meet Modern Fabric
Imagine stepping into a time machine fashioned by the deft hands of Ji Cheng. With every ethereal stitch of Yunnan Chuxiong Yi Embroidery, she catapults you from Shanghai’s futuristic skyline to Yunnan’s ancient landscapes. It’s the Autumn Equinox in Milan, where tradition meets innovation, and every thread has a tale to spin. In this global fashion nucleus, Ji Cheng unveils her artistic dalliance—a marriage between Eastern mystique and urban flair that is as intricate as the patterns of Yi Embroidery itself.
The Myth and the Man: Actor Chen Muchi
Chinese actor Chen Muchi, known for his role in Unite in the Dream of Gods, graces the runway. His appearance feels almost mythological, a tribute to the eternal stories of the Chinese people—each one as meticulously crafted as a stitch in the realm of Yi Embroidery.
Inspiration in Stitches: The Spring/Summer 2024 Collection
Ji Cheng‘s palette this season draws deeply from the folklore and fauna of Yunnan’s Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture. Italian textiles flirt with embroidered tigers and blossoms, a sartorial yin-yang that transcends geographical borders. It’s an intricate dance—a tapestry where Western and Eastern handcrafts tango, where clouds are stitched into harmonious formations, where tradition and modernity are interwoven as seamlessly as the fabric itself.
International Allure: Ji Cheng x COCCINELLE
For the first time in Milan, Ji Cheng collaborates with COCCINELLE, the Italian powerhouse synonymous with trendsetting leather accessories. Witness hand-embroidered BOHEME bags—artworks really—that will only be available in China come November. A cultural symbiosis celebrated at Milan’s BAZAAR Design Awards and reflected in Coccinelle’s SS24 presentation at the splendid Dazi on Corso Sempione.
The Scent of the Orient: JI CHENG x LE SYLPHE
Completing the aesthetic symphony is a unique olfactory experience. Imagine a fragrance that wafts through the air as the models parade—an ensemble of citrus, reishi, and myrrh that echoes the enigmatic aura of the East. It’s a sensory voyage, as intricate and layered as the collection itself.
The Seamstress of Time: Ji Cheng
Trained at Milan’s Marangoni Institute, Ji Cheng is more than a designer—she’s a storyteller, a cultural diplomat, and a harbinger of sustainable fashion. Her work exudes a magnetic allure, drawing you into a sartorial narrative that proves fashion isn’t just about clothing; it’s about identity, culture, and limitless innovation.
Come, be a part of this story—a narrative spun in stitches and steeped in time, capturing the essence of two worlds, forever entwined in a single thread.
