Naturally CHOCHENG
Shirley Maclaine’s iconic style in the film, The Apartment, set the inspiration for CHOCHENG’s Fall/Winter 2020 New York Fashion Week! Designer Cho Cho Cheng's latest collection, reflecting heroines of cinema through an enduring and inimitable style, was a cascade of boss ladies popping in vivid colors of hot pink, purple and green. Cho retold a story through his designs, transporting his audience to another era inspired by iconic women of film from 1920s to 1980s. His collection of both feminine softness and authoritative boldness displayed his attraction to seeing Shirley wearing a tuxedo which broke away from a tradition worn solely by men, and pioneered a trend.
There is a whimsical interpretation of traditional British Saville Row tailoring techniques which complemented his myriad of interests and inspirations. At the forefront this season were silhouettes referencing equestrian style and trompe l'oeil jackets, and CHOCHENG’s collections featuring innovative techniques in creating form and silhouette through natural fabrics evident in AW20’s use of hand-ruched tulle giving the effect of a fur or shearling collar. Among his displays were his signature cotton boucle jackets, cotton crepe shirts, and hand-sewn petals accessories.
However, his garments are made to be softer and more forgiving to the feminine curves, allowing the gentle tailoring to create form and function for the wearer, and lessen restriction. His ongoing make up collaborators are natural, organic, cruelty-free beauty brand Inika, and cruelty free advocate and renowned makeup artist Campbell Ritchie. This season, CHOCHENG partnered once again with Unite, which provided hair care products that were sulfate-free, paraben-free, sodium chloride-free, and non-animal tested (PETA certified).
Cho has dedicated himself and his namesake brand to environmentally conscious manufacturing and cruelty-free fashion. Sustainability is at the heart of his business model, and he has instilled thoughtful practices from his lifelong love of the natural world into his fashion line since its inception. All of his fabrics, environmentally conscious and supportive to traditional craftsman methods, are natural and carefully sourced from heritage suppliers in the UK. His garments are hand sewn, and he forbids the use of commercial iron-on interfacing and machine finishing. Everything from shoulder pads, embroidered buttons, inseam buttonholes, to decorative silk petals, are handmade from natural materials.
CHOCHENG, located in London and Beijing, and with a recently opened boutique at 751 Fifth Avenue in New York City, has become synonymous with 100% natural materials, and caters to a discerning clientele who appreciates comfort, craftsmanship, and conservation of the environment.
Photography: Dan & Corina Lecca Photo . Thanks to Benjamin Joseph Rousseau, director at C&M MEDIA
