Weiyan Liang, Nan Yang, 2026

My entire collection was inspired by several films about the Nanyang region (Southeastern Asia in Chinese Term), including The Lover, Crazy Rich Asians, and The Scent of Green Papaya. Through repeatedly watching these films, I became interested in studying an architectural system that blends Southeast Asian and Chinese characteristics with Western colonial influences. During my research, I developed a deep fascination with Nanyang architecture. After personally visiting the Chen Cihong Ancestral Home in Shantou, I gained even more inspiration for my creative work. I translated elements such as pastel exterior walls, rhythmic columns, intricate decorative reliefs, and symbolic floral tiles into silhouettes, materials, and color inspirations. Through beading, boning, and layered construction, the designs balance structure and softness. The pieces aim to embody architecture shaped by climate and cultural hybridity, creating forms that feel both grounded and breathable, like spaces gently worn and softened by time and everyday life.

The Design Show

The Design Show features garments, accessories, lookbooks, fragrances, and portfolio work, offering visitors an opportunity to engage with both the finished collections and the creative processes behind them. Together, these presentations reveal the breadth of ideas, approaches, and perspectives that define the Fashion Design Class of 2026.

The work on view reflects the creativity, rigor, and vision of a new generation of designers shaping the future of fashion through thoughtful and engaged practice.