GLIMPSE: A Reflection on Fragility and Fluidity at LFW SS25
ZHAOYI YU “GLIMPSE.”
On September 14th at the Waldorf Hilton, rising couture talent ZHAOYI YU made a memorable entrance into London Fashion Week with his Spring/Summer 2025 collection, aptly titled “GLIMPSE.”
A Study in Delicate Contrasts
YU has rapidly garnered attention from top publications. A recent graduate of the London College of Fashion’s womenswear MA program, he has quickly established a reputation for meticulously crafted pieces that blend innovative textile experimentation with captivating storytelling.
Drawing inspiration from the fragile, ever-evolving interplay between the ocean, land, and sky, the “GLIMPSE” collection explores emotional honesty and human vulnerability. Through subtle shifts in fabric and silhouette, YU highlights the importance of embracing fragility both as a revealing testament to our innermost selves and as an invitation to find beauty in objects and experiences that feel achingly temporary.
Traditional Craft Meets Modern Experimentation
One of the collection’s most striking elements is YU’s use of mother-of-pearl inlay, a centuries-old Chinese craft typically reserved for decorative arts. Reimagined as wearable art, these shimmering inlays evoke the soft yet resilient qualities of ocean shells. Each garment showcases the thoughtful balance between delicate adornment and strong tailoring, speaking to YU’s vision of fluidity, inclusivity, and cultural preservation. By merging heritage techniques with boundary-pushing textiles, YU underscores his commitment to rewriting fashion’s evolving narrative.
Collaborative Flair
In partnership with SWAROVSKI, the pieces gleam with precisely placed crystals that accentuate YU’s signature embroidery. The result is a luminescent dance between light and texture a physical manifestation of the show’s overall theme of ephemeral beauty. Adding a touch of London Fashion Week glam, guests were treated to elegant Penhaligon’s-sponsored goodie bags, rounding out a show experience that felt both refined and deeply personal.
About ZHAOYI YU
A London-based designer specializing in made-to-order pieces, ZHAOYI YU has attracted the attention of high-profile names such as Georgina Rodriguez, Perrie Edwards, Charlotte Tilbury, Michelle Visage, and Fan Bingbing. Each carefully constructed garment serves as a testament to YU’s technical prowess and his ability to capture emotion through design. With a growing presence in the international fashion scene, ZHAOYI YU’s debut at London Fashion Week confirms his status as a formidable new voice, reminding us that true innovation often resides where tradition meets daring reinvention.
Creative Director: ZHAOYI YU
Instagram: @zhaoyi.official
Crescent PR: @crescentagency