「Cybernetics Blooming Inside of Me」- Hengdi Wang
Hengdi Wang may be a newcomer to the fashion scene, having launched his eponymous label just last year in 2023, yet he is already making a significant impact with his visionary approach. At Shanghai Fashion Week, Wang unveiled 「Cybernetics Blooming Inside of Me」- his latest collection that offers a thought provoking and philosophical narrative. While the designs included more traditional and recognisable elements like beautiful gowns, capes, and bodysuits, they have been completely reimagined through a surrealist lens.
Ruched gowns cocooned models, holding their arms close to their body, nearly sheer lace bodysuits covered the wearer from the tips of their fingers right to the top of their hidden heads. But most significantly each model was adorned in incredible futuristic jewellery. Presented like armour models wore gleaming exoskeletons, masks, and pronged spines which were nothing short of wearable art.
The Spring/Summer 2025 collection exemplifies Wang’s innovative design philosophy, which seeks to strip away the artificial layers of fashion to reveal a body that harmonises with both nature and technology. This collection emphasises jewellery and body accessories while utilising fashion as a canvas to blend mechanical designs with organic elements. Through his distinctive visual language, Wang explores the intersection of humanity, technology, and nature, crafting a modern artistic narrative about their coexistence.
Moreover, Wang poses thought-provoking questions: As technology increasingly infiltrates our lives and bodies, does it alter who we are, or do we reshape ourselves to accommodate it? The results of his explorations are undeniably beautiful, though they can evoke a sense of unease. This duality is crucial to envisioning the future of fashion—not as a realm devoid of art, but as one that embraces it.
When imagining a sci-fi future, it’s easy to picture a landscape stripped of artistic expression, dominated by cold, mechanical aesthetics. However, Wang challenges this notion, crafting a vision of the future that is both prepared for technology and rich in beauty. He proves that we need not settle for the sterile; instead, we can strive for the breathtaking.
With dark, bold, and uncompromising designs, Hengdi Wang is poised to redefine the boundaries of contemporary fashion, inviting us to consider the complexities of our relationship with technology and creativity.
Words by: Sophie Thomalla
Designer: Hengdi Wang