Scene: Kim Shui’s Fall Winter ’23 collection at New York Fashion Week. The Chinese-born fashion visionary doesn’t shy away from sex appeal as she celebrates the female form, presenting an array of skin-baring garments that skillfully play with textures, patterns, and faux fur. This maximal excess collection was ultra sultry, ultra sexy, and ultra ’90s. Skin and nudity were prevalent. But Shui herself is a self-proclaimed shy girl. Her clothing however is bold, loud, and statement making.
“The reason I chose Bowery Savings Bank building is because the banks are a place that historically withheld power from women. I wanted to reclaim that because the whole thing was about women’s agency, women’s freedom to express themselves”. A poignant message in this time of feminine political issues.
The runway show began with models cascading down a marble staircase before strutting atop an elevated runway strewn with official documents. Notably, Kim Shui’s model line-up was richly diverse. Women of all skin tones, hair textures, body shapes, and sizes. The collection delves into the delicate balance between individuality and self-expression. For Shui, celebrating the bodies of women comes second nature, as her looks commonly drape the body and provide the wearer with uninhibited confidence. Her signature diamond encrushed “K” was on belts, bras, coats, jewelry, skirts, and sunglasses.
Talent for the show: Hair by lead hairstylist Jaylin Seng and team for Cutler Salons using Redken products. The key hair looks were very long straight hair with the signature “K” tattoo and very long braids. Hair “K” tattoos by Paul Miller for Cutler Salons. Lead makeup artist Romero Jennings and team for Mac Cosmetics using Mac products. The key makeup look was two toned lips lined in red with purple, an ombré effect (gradient color effect). Nails by Narina Chan and team, Stylist and Casting Director Ella Cepeda, Shoes High Heels and Moon Boots, Location Bowery Savings Bank building which opened in 1834 located in Manhattan’s Chinatown, Photos by Fred J. DeVito.

Scene: The ceiling of the historic Bowery Savings Bank built in 1834.

Special thanks to Helen Oppenheim, hair historian,  archivist, and blogger, for asking me to collaborate during Fashion Week.

Photo 40 courtesy of CR Fashion Book.