Xander Zhou, a Chinese designer who is based in Beijing but shows in London, has mined images from Western culture for his experimental, youthful men’s wear, among them cowboys and proper school uniforms. For spring, he said he wanted to present “a new view of China.”
That was particularly evident in the tabards and apronlike tops that Zhou did in Chinese embroidery, weaving images of clouds, streams and dragons in gold, navy and red silk. The designer paired those pieces with tailored silk ski-pants and shiny loafers, meaning the looks walked an odd line between sporty and formal.
A less literal take came in felt biker jackets appliquéd with silk flowers, worn over striped navy pajama pants with hems that trailed the floor, or a red robe done in guipure lace flowers, paired with striped gray pajamas. They channeled an offbeat yet romantic spirit.