XANDER ZHOU | SPRING / SUMMER 2013 MENS COLLECTION

After studying graphic design in his home country of China, Xander Zhou moved to the Netherlands where he studied fashion at The Hague. He established his label in 2007 and is now based in Beijing.

As guest editor of the ‘Gay China’ issue for iLook magazine, Xander Zhou‘s landmark edition called for another 5,000 copies to be printed after an original allocation of 50,000 sold out within weeks of it hitting the rack.

Ending London’s first men’s fashion week, Zhou has been named ‘the next big thing’ in the menswear world by a host of fashion kingpins; and his Spring / Summer 2013 ‘Fleurdelism’ collection didn’t fail to deliver. Taking its name from the Fleur-de-Lily that appears on countless European coats of arms, as well as the Boy Scouts’ uniform, Xander Zhou’s Spring / Summer 2013 show took its inspiration from the great outdoors; minimal white trouser and short-suits were accompanied by platform sandals and neck scarves.

The show quickly moved towards a heavier, chunky look; mixing weighty multi-layered suits with earthly greens, browns and dark-sky greys. Crafted and created in silk, wool or nylon, the fabrics instigated a natural feel to the Spring / Summer 2013 collection without blowing it away.

By the end Zhou’s ‘Fleurdelism’ bordered on futurism. Black shorts were matched with panelled black, red and grey T-shirts and finished off with platform brogues.

A real talent in the world of menswear design, Xander Zhou is a designer to keep an eye on, and who will almost certainly live up to the hype.

- Drew Davies