HUI weaves a tale of resilience and heritage at Milan Fashion Week

Shenzhen-based fashion powerhouse HUI unveiled its Fall/Winter 2026/27 collection, titled "Her Threads," during the Milan Fashion Week on Sunday.

Running from Feb. 24 to March 2, the event marks HUI’s 18th appearance on one of the global "Big Four" runways, further cementing its role as a cultural bridge between Chinese heritage and international high fashion.

Models walk the runway adorned with floor-to-ceiling threads during HUI's Fall/Winter 2026/27 collection show at the Milan Fashion Week on Sunday. Photos courtesy of HUI

The new collection draws deep inspiration from the generational art of Chinese women’s needlework. For HUI, needlework is far more than a  technique. It is a labor of love and a living archive. For centuries, Chinese women have woven their emotions, aspirations, and life experiences into the very fabric of their garments.

Through "Her Threads," designer Zhao Huizhou transforms this intimate, domestic craft into a powerful visual language for the global stage. By bringing the "history woven into the cloth" into the spotlight, Zhao offers a modern, refined reinterpretation of Chinese aesthetics.

Zhao Huizhou, founder and chief designer of HUI, greets the audience after the fasion show.

The runway itself was a piece of performance art, adorned with floor-to-ceiling threads that symbolized the various stages of a woman’s life. The scenography served as a poignant statement on the evolution of womanhood — from being historically "invisible" to becoming a force to be reckoned with.

In this collection, every stitch becomes a vessel of memory rather than mere decoration. Subtle, "unseen" needlework, hidden in linings, sleeves, and backs, honors the cultural memory of domestic life and the quiet, resilient strength of women.

Beyond the garments, HUI invited the audience to reflect on the lasting value of craftsmanship and emotional depth in an age of fragmented attention and digital anxiety.

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A range of looks is showcased on the runway during HUI’s Fall/Winter 2026/27 show at Milan Fashion Week.