Moncler's Citizens of The City of Genius Dream of Utopia for Fashion Week in Shanghai

10 designer neighborhoods, 10 unique experiences, 10 extraordinary collections, 1 source of inspiration: The City of Genius.

The live show is the ultimate expression of creativity thriving amidst dissolving boundaries, enabling different worlds and cultural backgrounds to inspire one another in a genuine act of co-creation. Fueled by Shanghai’s vibrant spirit and magic energy, it is a place where local and international creative talent unite, guided by the childhood genius that lives within all of us.

The City of Genius embraced Shanghai’s inspiring culture of innovation and heritage, driving deep connections with local visionaries and international talent from diverse spheres of influence and cultural perspectives, at the apex of global culture, in a worldwide exchange of creativity. 

The spirit of co-creation brought together traditional and modern methods of creativity, connecting Chinese and global culture spanning art, film, music and entertainment. The show featured an installation by iconic artist Xu Bing, and his creative reimagination of language was woven throughout event communications, the show venue, the livestream, and the accompanying campaign. To touch language is to get in tune with the very beating heart of culture. The art installation astounds with its spectacular beauty. Bing’s work was shot by photographer and filmmaker Wing Shya, who created The City of Genius manifesto film starring Moncler global brand ambassador, Leah Dou.

The unforgettable show finale featured a one-of-a-kind live showcase by creative performance director Henry Lau, surrounded by dancers, musicians, and a dazzling sound and light display designed exclusively for the event. Henry Lau presented a rousing performance of his greatest hits. The performance was opened by Chen Lijun, an outstanding Yue opera actress, blending traditional Chinese opera with contemporary pop in a groundbreaking rendition of Chinese-style music. The stunning performances marked a dazzling end to the event.

The stellar designer lineup saw Edward Enninful, Hiroshi Fujiwara, Donald Glover, Lulu Li, Mercedes-Benz by Nigo, Palm Angels, A$AP Rocky, Willow Smith – as well as special appearances from Rick Owens and Jil Sander – bring their unique concepts for The City of Genius to life. The landscape of designer worlds saw each co-creator realize their imagined aesthetic utopia: a distinct neighborhood to fully represent the soul and inspiration of their Genius collections.

Color My Life With The Chaos Of Trouble By Jana Gerberding and Mine Uludag

photography by Jana Gerberding
styling by Mine Uludag
casting by Eli Xavier
modeled by Winter, Aime, Bethlehem, Lici, Xen Hur, Dhyhani, and Sophia

Life today offers almost infinite possibilities juxtaposed by maximum confrontation with internal pressures, domestic threats, and global uncertainties. We participate in social movements that are meant to liberate us from oppression and share them on the same social platforms that torment us with an incessant evaluation of our appearance and identity. What exactly do you have to prove today as a young woman? What is socially expected? What does femininity even mean? Is there a new femininity? Does gender play a role at all? Isn‘t it just about individuality and belonging?

Making choices and gaining confidence is for many young people an inner conflict between knowing who they want to be and who they really are.

Our heroines in these portraits embody different possibilities of the feminine. A portrayal that describes the role of the body, identity, the power of self-confidence, and individuality.

This is a portrait of a growing female generation who is not afraid.

LEFT Dyhani is wearing full look Celine.
RIGHT Sophia is wearing panties by Prada, bra by Dior, and stockings by Hermès.

Bethlehem is wearing dress by Arturo Obegero.

LEFT Dyhani is wearing leather coat by Max Mara and sunglasses by Celine.
RIGHT full look Celine

Winter is wearing white blouse by Jil Sander and black skirt by Dries Van Noten.

Aime is wearing skirt and jewelry by Versace and cropped zip top by Alexander McQueen.

LEFT Sophia is wearing bra by Versace, hoodie by Sankuanz, skirt by Louis Vuitton.
RIGHT Xen is wearing top and skirt by Ottolinger.

LEFT Bethlehem is wearing corsage by Alexander McQueen.
RIGHT Bethlehem is wearing dress by Arturo Obegero and boots by Dries Van Noten

LEFT Xen is wearing dress by Missoni.
RIGHT Sophia is wearing bra and shoes by Versace, hoody by Sankuanz, and skirt by Louis Vuitton.

Aime is wearing skirt, boots and balaklava by Max Mara, long sleeve shirt by Lacoste, and leather jacket by Louis Vuitton.

LEFT Xen is wearing dress and heels by Missoni.
RIGHT Lici is wearing long sleeve shirt by Balenciaga, skirt by Loewe, stockings by Hermès, and boots by Dries Van Noten.

Read Autre's Favorites from Milan Fashion Week

Oh, Italy. The land of luxury behemoths. Young fashion people scoff at Milan, but Milan is planting itself once more at the forefront of conceptual fashion. Versace and Prada will always be doing their thing. Damir Doma decided to leave the herd of Paris and create his architectural garments in Italy. Arthur Arbesser is injecting youth and idea-driven fashion into the city revitalizing Iceberg and launching his own brand. And, less we forget, Alessandro Michele is the hottest designer in fashion at Gucci. It feels like people are ready for Italian fashion again, and they certainly want Gucci to be relevant again. We’ve had so many years of “cool” and “arty” brands out of Paris and London that maybe the coolest thing to do right now is to pay heed to the luxury giants of Italy. It’s hip to be square, motherfuckers. Click here to read the full review.