4 fashion week regulars share their FW20 wishlists

Although most of us won’t be travelling for fashion week this year, we asked several fashion week regulars from Hong Kong what they’re coveting from the Fall/Winter 2020 collections and what they miss most about show season:

Elva Ni

What you miss the most about fashion week?

I miss being able to see some of my friends from all over the world as we only meet each season at Fashion Week.

Shows you usually look forward to the most?

Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Chanel.

What’s your FW20 mood?

I feel re-energised, full of energy and empowered. 

Has your style or preference changed from SS to FW with all that’s been going on?

The colour tone changes from light/bright colours to more beige, salty caramel and khaki. I also have a preference for black leather and check prints. 

Best look that came down the runway this season?

It’s hard to just choose one. I had a few favourite looks from Loewe, Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior.

Best bag of the season?

The Bottega Veneta chain cassette in chocolate brown. It’s an update from their padded cassette shoulder bag, and I love the addition of the chunky chain. 

Best shoes of the season?

I can see myself living in the Gianvito Rossi Chester boots.

Best accessories of the season?

I love the look of the Dior headscarves. I really admire Maria Grazia Chiuri’s determination to promote feminism. It’s not just a slogan – it’s the way she incorporates it into her designs.

Best new brand you’ve come across?

I love the sustainable styles by Caravana. 

Faye Tsui

What you miss the most about fashion week?

I miss the entire experience – from being in the cities to the shows and hanging out with the people you usually see during the shows (plus all the great meals).

Shows you usually look forward to the most?

Chanel, Christian Dior and Fendi.

What’s your FW20 mood? how are you dressing and looking at the collections?

I think it’s important to stay optimistic, especially in times like these. There’s something quite cheerful about layering on fringes or chains. I’m planning to invest in more leather pieces and coats for the coming months.

Best look that came down the runway this season?

I loved the skirt-suit that came down the Alexander McQueen runway. The dramatic shoulders and sleeves looked great coupled with the leather legging boots. 

Best bag of the season?

I can’t wait to get my hands on the new Gucci Jackie 1961 bag in the classic monogram. It’s a modern update of the iconic bag and even comes with a longer strap.

Best shoes of the season?

Hands down the Bottega Veneta square-toed cowboy boots in cream. 

Justine Lee

What do you miss most about fashion week?

The excitement that comes when the lights go out, the music starts and you see the first looks coming down the runway. There’s something about seeing the clothes in real life that just doesn’t compare to seeing it on a screen. I also miss catching up with friends you would normally only see at the shows because we all live so far apart.

Shows you usually look forward to the most?

Chanel, Valentino, Saint Laurent and Miu Miu. I can’t wait for Raf Simon’s first collection with Prada this MFW, and Kim Jones’ debut for Fendi!

What’s your FW2020 mood?

Definitely more sombre. I’m more drawn to black or a neutral palette and things with very clean shapes and cuts. I love the idea of wearing all white or all beige in the winter – it started for me in SS20, so I guess I’ll carry that over to the cooler months. 

Has your style or preference changed from SS to FW with all that’s been going on?

It definitely has. I’m placing a lot more importance on wearability and ease. When it comes to clothes, I’m thinking about how much wear I can get out of it and for footwear – I’m not looking for the statement heel, but rather, boots I know that I’ll be wearing all season long. 

If you could buy just one thing from the FW20 collections, what would it be?

Ironically, what I want most completely contradicts what I said before, but the shearling coat with the floor-length fringes from Bottega Veneta. I tried it on at the store last week and it took a lot of convincing to get me out of it.

Best look that came down the runway this season?

All the Saint Laurent looks: the latex leggings mixed with the boxy shapes and ’80s tops. I can’t put into words how much I love Anthony Vacarello’s Saint Laurent.

Best accessories of the season?

Again, not the most practical styles, but these make my heart skip a beat: the shearling red pumps with ankle straps, donned by Bella Hadid on the Miu Miu runway; the handcrafted Mini Vanity case made from natural stone from Moynat – pure genius; pieces from the Fendi x Chaos collab; and the riding boots matched with mini logo stockings from Chanel. 

Best discovery this season?

I love the wearability and ease of South Korean label, Low Classic. I came across this brand last year but I’ve bought into it in a much deeper way this season. I also know Suicoke has been around for a while, but I just got a pair of sandals from their Toga Archive collaboration, and it’s like walking on air. 

Zaneta Cheng

What do you miss most about the show season?

This is super dorky but some fashion shows make me cry. It’s really not the same through a screen as some of the magic is lost – the buzz, the expectation, the setting, the buildings they’re in, the music, the live reactions, that first-look impact. I will also miss the re-sees and presentations, where I could geek out and really connect with other fashion enthusiasts.

Shows you look forward to the most?

Where to start? Definitely Dries van Noten, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Paco Rabanne, Hermès, Marine Serre, Valentino, Lemire, Saint Laurent, Beautiful People, Comme des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto in Paris. Prada and Gucci in Milan. 

What’s your FW20 mood? How are you dressing and looking at the collections?

Lockdown has made me a bit bipolar. I wear feathers for fun at home but for going out, I’m in machine-washable clothing like tank tops from The Row or Totême. I love beige paper bag waist chinos, denim and cardigans. In terms of “fashion fashion”, I’m still into the poufy sleeves and shapes by Cecilie Bahnsen but I’m also really feeling the black colour palette that’s very much back this fall.

Has your style or preference changed from Spring/Summer to Fall/Winter with all that’s been going on?

Yeah, for sure. Like, what is it with me and sweats? I also am actively purchasing cardigans which was almost unheard of before this. I think this year has really seen me gravitate toward cosier, comfier clothing that I can throw in the wash. 

If you could buy just one thing from the FW20 collections, what would it be?

The black boots that came down the Valentino runway.

Best look that came down the runway this season?

Paco Rabanne Look 40 – died, actually that whole show – died.

Best accessories of the season?

The head wrap from Maison Margiela.

Best discovery of the season?

La Veste, which is the French word for Blazer. It’s a label by influencer Blanca Miró and María de la Orden. 

See also: 7 runway bags from FW20 to buy now