‘Give Face’ by Bernard Chandran A/W 2016 Collection

The Bernard Chandran womenswear collection for Autumn/Winter 2016 is inspired by an expression in the Chinese culture – ‘Give Face’ which means “respect” or “俾面” in Chinese. Its design inspirations and creative reinterpretations are beyond the mythical creatures of dragon, phoenix and gold but one that expounds the purified attitude of ‘Give Face’.

“I love the melting pot of cultural differences, my heritage and family values that I was brought up in, at the same time,” Bernard Chandran

‘Give Face’ is an expression in the Chinese culture, where one would respect the other person especially those who are older, even though he/she may agree or disagree with the person’s opinion.

Drawing on a mixed oriental cultural heritage, Chandran has cleverly arbitrated the oriental aesthetics with modern interventions fit for prêt-couture.

Whether Chinese Opera reference or Chinois sunflower motifs, royal jade embellishments and brocade refinements, ‘俾面’ in cheeky prints or dramatic 70s reveries, they’ve all made their way into Chandran’s men’s and women’s collections.

We can see the diversity of the different eras and the quirky mix of styles blended with ‘the now, the former and the future’ in one unified theme.

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It is a collection with a modern sequence of rich oriental colors – emerald green, gold purple, maroon, black, blue & red clicked poetically with luxurious textures – brocade, silk la mè, organza and fur to depict a sense of luxury and richness that accompanies with the wintery moods.

The outlines – extra wing cuffs, boxed pleats bottom, Chinese bustier corset Oriental opera sleeve, batwing sleeves and boot cut overlap trousers are groomed into a luxury vision of mind-blowing modern elegance.