We’re All Craving the Dolce Vita Lifestyle after Kim Shui’s SS24 Collection
Images Courtesy: Flippo Fior / Gorunway.com
Anyone craving a Limoncello? An Aperol Spritz even? Kim Shui’s Spring Summer 2024 ready-to-wear collection prepped us all for a vacation on the Amalfi Coast with Italian inspiration channeled through corsets and dainty florals. The show occurred on Sept. 9, 2023, at the gorgeous Barbetta Restaurant in New York City. Shui’s choice of location matched this recent collection perfectly as the oldest Italian restaurant in New York accentuated the vintage and vibrant royal codes in each piece delivered down the runway this past weekend.
This space was specifically chosen because of the designer’s Italian upbringing. The dim, intimately lit ambiance graced crystal chandeliers, and angel water fountains gave the most magical touch.
While Italy is a dream destination for many of us, Shui, who grew up there, has expressed the extreme racism faced by her peers and neighbors that was far from a fairytale. With this collection, the designer revamped her version of Italy with a perfect balance of her Asian heritage. Many pieces gliding down the runway utilized mud silk, a fabric sacred to Chinese culture. Accompanied by ‘Western silhouettes’ like beautiful corsets, some sheer and others finely structured.
Each was tied beautifully amongst the backs of each model, conjuring the most playful elegance. Shui made countless odes to sovereign rulers through exaggerated blush, tight braided updos, and dresses with structured bodices. Many pieces were accompanied by lace and satin fabrics throughout frilly bloomers and skirts. It should be noted that models of differing colors and sizes showcased most pieces coming down the runway. The NYC-based womenswear brand has been known to center women who have been ‘traditionally sidelined’ and used them to paint a beautiful picture of the romantic monarchy with a modern twist. Either retro low-top Nikes or silk ballet-influenced heels accompanied many looks.
Shui never fails to create the most outlandishly feminine accessories. Many included earrings tied with long blue and red florals, or large letters spelling out the designer’s name. A personal favorite was the strawberry fruit bags and silk drawstring handbags adorned with Swarovski crystals spelling out the designer's initials or, again, the entire name.
If Shui’s eccentric Gabbana-esque colors didn’t catch your eye, the star-studded guest list mixed with musicians and influencers did! Fan favs like Monet McMichael, The Clermont Twins, and Saweetie wore pieces from Shui’s past FW 23 collection. But in all actuality, these pieces have us all delusionally waiting for an invite to some Italian celeb wedding just to wear any piece from this collection.
Strike Out,
Gael-Lynn Laguerre
Boca Raton
Gael-Lynn Laguerre is a content writer for Strike Magazine Boca. She’s a textbook Aquarius: hyper-independent but also super hot. In her free time, she enjoys online shopping, writing sad poetry, and oversharing on Twitter. You can reach her by lgaellynn@gmail.com or Instagram @gael.lynn
