In Focus: Samuel Guì Yang
3rd May, 2023
Since its launch in 2015, Samuel Guì Yang has fast established itself in the luxury fashion world as one the most innovative and in-demand brands. Deriving from a union of two cultures, the contemporary silhouettes are the kind of clothes that will not only elevate your wardrobe for this season’s summer dressing, but ones you’ll find yourself revisiting time and time again.
The brand’s unique aesthetic which merges Chinese and Western heritage is both limitless and borderless; comprising of one-of-a-kind tailoring fused with a modern take on the traditional Chinese dress.
Behind the brand are the directional duo Samuel Guì Yang and Erik Litzén, Yang hailing from Shenzhen in China and Litzén from Stockholm in Sweden. The pair met at the infamous Central St Martins, in London, where they found themselves studying the same course. Litzén, after honing his design skills at both Acne Studios and JW Anderson, joined the brand in 2017, two years after Yang had established his namesake design studio and with it, a new luxury brand.
The new designers showcased their first collection in SS20 at Shanghai Fashion week where it made its way onto the Vogue Business Top Five Buyer’s Picks list. It also gained many fans within the Shanghai fashion set, such as actress Faye Yo and model and actress He Sui, both supporters of Samuel Guì Yang. The brand is now based between London and Shanghai; two cities serving as fashion playgrounds for their designer’s inspiration and creativity.
The pair bring their individual strengths to the brand, Yang focus’ on draping and creative pattern cutting whilst Litzén has sharp, menswear inspired tailoring skills to bring to the table. The result? Impeccably executed design. Samuel Guì Yang celebrates Chinese femininity with flattering silhouettes of traditional heritage such as Mandarin collars, wrap features and kimono sleeves. These are combined with elements of Western dressmaking, for example, sharp cuts and the fitted form, marrying the two cultures in unison. Many of their designs begin with the Cheongsam dress, which was made popular in China in the 1920’s, as a starting point for their creations. This in turn is developed in a meticulously technical way, where proportions, silhouettes and details are transformed to create a wearable version of relaxed luxury which plays homage to its cultural roots.
Here at Fabric of Society, we’re excited to have the latest styles available from these inspiring International designers. We’re predicting the Bao check wrap linen dress to be a sell-out as well as the Arrow open neck cotton shirt; two items that will effortlessly slip into your SS23 wardrobe and work with pieces that you already own. For those who prefer a more minimalist look, the Liang Mansarin Cupro satin top and the cropped cotton pants are super wearable whilst still retaining a directional aesthetic.
Samuel Guì Yang aims to be as sustainable as possible, using fabrics which are location specific. For example, pieces that are made in the UK use tweed, wool, hemp and linen whilst garments produced in China notably utilise high quality silks and recycled polyester. The collection is designed to be timeless, to be worn again and again. Fashion in 2023 isn’t as much about following trends as it is about creating a strong individual sense of style, weaving in pieces from Samuel Guì Yang to your look perfectly merges the right now with the what’s to come.
