Engaging in a spirited dialogue with the relentless rhythm of life, Lu’u Dan’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection makes an enthralling narrative leap that refuses to be cornered into categorical fashion norms. Helmed by the designer Hung La, the collection stretches its fingers towards an exploration of Asian sartorial attitudes in Western contexts. Having built the very foundation of Lu’u Dan on this intercontinental interplay just 18 months ago, La wades into the spring with an intent to skirt the confines of being stereotyped.
“This collection more than most was touching on a realness,” La confesses, painting the portrait of the invisible man in this seasonal collection. There is a heartfelt tribute to the laboring heroes of society: the handyman, the painter, the ordinary working-class individual who often goes unsung yet is a precious cornerstone in the grand structure of life.
Taking the stage in the Spring/Summer 2024 collection are robust, paint-splattered boilersuits, patchworked trousers, oversized zippered hoodies – each outfit appearing to have weathered countless stories yet exuding the grit to persist undeterred. La’s newfound love for denim, faux leather, and printed shirts, serving both genders, find themselves comfortably cohabitating with these seasoned warriors of the working class.
The unafraid designer pushes boundaries with stunning pieces like a vibrant yellow biker jacket adorned with black and red accents, a flowing plaid-printed silk duster shirt, and audacious full-on leopard suits. Studded leather chaps thrown over snow-wash denims serve as a clear testament to his fearless sartorial expression.
Despite the pronounced Western influence, if one still chooses to perceive his work through an Asian lens, La is unphased. He continues to employ cuts and designs deeply rooted in a vast spectrum of Asian sartorial traditions, from the wide trousers reminiscent of Japanese workmen to the stylized Tibetan tiger prints.
The notion of individuals from diverse backgrounds connecting with their “inner sheisty Asian dude” brings a satisfying smile to La’s face. Celebrities like Billie Eilish and Arnold Schwarzenegger donning his designs serve as proof that the Lu’u Dan Spring/Summer 2024 collection is resonating with people in a refreshingly novel way. An artful marriage of East and West, an ode to the unsung heroes of everyday life, the collection leaves one eagerly waiting for what the future has in store for Lu’u Dan.
© Photos: Jori Komulainen (Lu’u Dan)
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