Awaylee unveils AW26 at Shanghai Fashion Week: 'Clair de Lune'

AWAYLEE presents ’Clair de Lune. Autumn/Winter 2026 collection at Shanghai Fashion Week

Rooted in ancient cosmology and the dynamic interplay of Yin (阴) and Yang (阳), the collection explores celestial philosophy through a conceptual lens — where darkness is not emptiness, but the canvas upon which light becomes meaningful.

AWAYLEE forms a metaphysical architecture for the AW26 universe through reinforced philosophy that is supported by artisanal integrity, drawing from three interconnected Chinese cosmological concepts: the Lotus, the Purple Forbidden Enclosure, and the Void and the Light.

Through this showcase, AWAYLEE continues their mission to present garments as a dialogue between philosophy and traditional craftsmanship enriched by material innovation – honouring heritage and modernity. AWAYLEE explores silk not as a singular material, but as a spectrum of expression from the weightless transparency of silk organza to the grounding structure of silk-wool tailoring.

The collection reinterprets traditional craft through contemporary silhouettes drawing from ancient Chinese basketweaving techniques, the symbol of the lotus and glowing jade transform garments into vessels of illumination.

This season continues the house’s exploration of Tongcao (通草), collaborating with artisans to test the material’s limits. Alongside this, AWAYLEE partnered with glass artists specializing in materials that glow without batteries or electricity each piece shaped entirely by hand.

The runway experience is about experiencing light as life force, watching the AWAYLEE women carry their own illumination through darkness. Conceptually, this season marks a shift from external validation. Fashion equates visibility with value, brightness with relevance. AW26 asks instead: what if mattering has nothing to do with being seen?

Like the myth of Chang'e, who ascended to the moon in solitary transcendence, AWAYLEE’s AW26 collection represents deliberate elevation. In an era accelerated by artificial intelligence and constant visibility, AWAYLEE turns toward cosmic depth and ancient wisdom to find it’s true inspiration.

Clair De Lune - AW26