Tifaret’s Debut Evening at London Fashion Week: A Journey Through Shanghai’s Docklands
The Tifaret evening schedule at London Fashion Week marked a significant debut for the SS26 collection, titled “PAI TOU.”
This stunning showcase delved into the elegance, grit, and global exchange inherent in the life of Shanghai’s docklands, reflecting a rich tapestry of memory, heritage, and transformation.
Designer – Chiyue Dai
Designer Chiyue Dai drew inspiration from her own personal narrative, weaving in the poignant memories of her mother, a pioneering figure in 1990s Shanghai’s international trade. As a child, Chiyue spent time at the bustling port alongside her mother, absorbing stories that spoke of shipping routes, foreign goods, and the shadows of modern piracy. This collection serves as a bridge between two iconic port cities—Shanghai and London—each shaped by the unique stories of their docks.
“PAI TOU” captures the essence of 1930s Shanghai, where elegance collided with grit. The collection showcases a vibrant mix of Chinese and tropical florals, cargo pants, Victorian silhouettes, and sailor-inspired tailoring. It encapsulates the dualities of dockland life—where the burgeoning worlds of architecture, business, and fashion intersect with the darker histories of slavery, brothels, opium trade, and piracy.
Delicate designs pay homage to the uniforms of sex workers, while luxurious elements evoke the faded grandeur of opium dens, painting a complex picture of a layered city. The collection masterfully balances elegance and grit, merging Victorian curves with traditional Chinese flat-pattern cutting to create garments that breathe and move with the body, resulting in deeply emotional pieces steeped in history and personal narrative.
PRODUCTION: Fashion Scout @fashionscout
MAKEUP: Makeup By Mandy Gakhal For AOFMPro Using Dermalogica UK
@aofmakeup @mandygakhal @dermalogicauk
HAIR: Hair by Diego Miranda at BTS Talent @diegomiranda @btstalent
SHOW PRODUCTION: Martyn Roberts: @mrfashionscout
BACKSTAGE FOOD: People Pleaser Salad @peoplepleasersalad
STEAMERS: Propress @propressuk
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Nici Eberl @nicieberlphoto
Val Stuppia @valstuppia
Gabrielle Thomas @photosbygabs__
Gala Netylko @galanet_
Eia Hopkinson @photosbyeia
Raffaella Bichiri @raffaellabic_photography
Official catwalk photos: Chris Yates @itschrisyates
About Tifaret
Tifaret is a womenswear label inspired by the heroine of Final Fantasy VI, with a name drawn from the “Tree of Life” in the glima—a symbol of ethereal beauty and balance.
Designer Chiyue Dai established the label after earning her Master’s degree from the London College of Fashion and building years of experience in the luxury fashion world. She began her career as assistant to Avsh Alom Gur, and later worked as a print designer at Pierre Balmain—an Asian sub-label of Balmain.
After debuting in London in 2024 as part of the Fashion Scout China collective show, Tifaret came back to have her first solo show in London in Feb 2025 and soon afterwards gained attention after showcasing at Ontimeshow in Shanghai, where it received strong industry praise.
Chiyue’s vision combines narrative design with artistic craftsmanship, creating pieces that are both emotionally resonant and aesthetically refined. Tifaret continues to explore the space between fantasy and modern femininity.
