There’s something magnetic about Tifaret’s ‘Pai Tou’ , a show that doesn’t rely on unnecessary theatrics but on the quiet pull of memory and craftsmanship. For her Spring 2026 collection, she takes inspiration from memories of designer Chiyue Dai’s mother, one of the first women in 1990s Shanghai’s international trade. Its history reimagined through texture and silhouette. In a world that often moves too fast to sit with its own stories, Tifaret’s work feels necessary.
The collection opens with structure with cargo-inspired tailoring and utilitarian detailing. Then it softens into fluid florals, airy satin layers, and asymmetrical drapes that move like ocean wind. Victorian curves meet Chinese flat-pattern cutting, creating silhouettes that play with space and shadow. It’s a subtle dialogue between two cities, Shanghai and London each bringing its own rhythm, restraint, and edge.
What stands out most is the balance of contrasts. Chiyue weaves gritty grace into one seamless narrative but doesn’t leave out sensuality, it is subtle but real. The references to sailor uniforms, opium-den opulence, and sex workers’ pyjama sets never feel forced; they exist as quiet echoes of lived experience. The palette mirrors this mood: muted greys, deep indigos, and organic florals that carry a sense of time passing, of stories half-remembered.
Rather than nostalgia, these clothes feel like reflection, a way of honouring heritage without being bound by it. It’s a deeply personal exploration that feels remarkably relevant in today’s cultural and political climate, where conversations around identity, heritage, and womanhood continue to thrive. In this era of global tension and turmoil, this collection feels like a quiet reminder of connection. It speaks of shared histories, of strength passed between generations, and of how beauty can exist even in uncertain times.
All Credits
PRODUCTION:
Fashion Scout @fashionscout
MAKEUP:
Makeup By Mandy Gakhal For AOFMPro Using Dermalogica UK
@aofmakeup @mandygakhal @dermalogicauk
HAIR:
Hair by Diego Miranda at BTS Talent
@diegomiranda @btstalent
SHOW PRODUCTION:
Martyn Roberts: @mrfashionscout
BACKSTAGE FOOD:
People Pleaser Salad @peoplepleasersalad
STEAMERS:
Propress @propressuk
PHOTOGRAHERS:
Featured Image:
Chris Yates @itschrisyates
Val Stuppia @valstuppia
Gala Netylko @galanet_
Page 2 & 3:
Chris Yates @itschrisyates
PR & MEDIA:
Ayerhs Magazine 