A PROJECT THAT BRINGS A FRESH PERSPECTIVE.
We have teamed up with two designers to showcase the CHARLES & KEITH collection alongside their outstanding creations that express their unique style personalities and compelling fashion identities.
TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY
Designer Serina Lee’s collection seeks to bridge fashion and Chinese art. Featuring softly tailored separates and fluid silhouettes enlivened by a harmonious palette of white, grey and light blue, it is a modern expression of the classic preppy aesthetic. Clean and structured accessories, including the Sybill trapeze chain-handle bag and metallic-accent slant-heel slingback pumps, are chosen to accentuate the flowing lines and abstract prints on the garments. Rich neutral tones like dark moss and bronze anchor Serina’s creations, while mood-lifting hues like toffee and slate blue — which evoke feelings of tender affection — complement their modern-romance aesthetic.
HAVING STUDIED CHINESE INK PAINTING AND CALLIGRAPHY SINCE SHE WAS SEVEN, SERINA LEE HAS ALWAYS BEEN INTERESTED IN ART. “WHEN IT WAS TIME TO CHOOSE WHAT TO STUDY, I DECIDED TO PURSUE FASHION DESIGN — I WAS INSPIRED TO COMBINE MY LOVE FOR FASHION AND TEXTILE DESIGN WITH MY PRACTICE OF CHINESE ART,” SHE SHARES WITH CHARLES & KEITH.
'Land SS23' has its roots in a poem by celebrated Chinese poet Su Shi, which ruminates about the juxtaposition of finite time and infinite creativity. The prints in this collection depict a fictional land as seen through the eyes of a Chinese painter, and the silhouettes are inspired by canvases and Chinese art materials.
We are curious — how did your journey into fashion design begin? Was it a sudden revelation or a gradual realization?
When I was young, I enjoyed sewing as a hobby and often played with fabric for arts and crafts. I also studied Chinese ink painting and calligraphy, and have always been interested in art-related practices. When it was time to choose what I wanted to study, I decided to pursue fashion design. From there, I was inspired to combine my love for fashion and textile design with my appreciation for Chinese art.
We are incredibly excited to see your next collection. Is your upcoming project still a secret, or can you share more details about it with us?
Currently, I’m working on a collection inspired by a fictional world seen through the lens of a Chinese painter. This speculative world combines my passion for fashion design with my knowledge of painting and calligraphy. The main focus of this collection would be to explore the interdisciplinary connections between fashion, textiles and Chinese art, aiming to propel traditional crafts into the future through fashion design.