Angel Chen’s fall collection features a unique nomadic Ways come together. Finally on a coveted trip to Mongolia—her fiancé is semi-Mongolian—Chen and her team set up a mobile studio and set out to explore Mongolian towns. “We drive to a place, we settle down, we find [local artisans] and work with the whole team,” she explained on Zoom. “It was a very dramatic experience for me because everything is made by a very down-to-earth guy who protects the environment, who loves their farm, where they grew up. It’s like making a product at home .”
The result is a stunning series, shot in diverse Mongolian landscapes, that brings together Chen’s rigorous vision of silhouette and texture, with intricate of local crafts. The pieces range from simple workwear-ready button-down shirts and jumpsuits with hand-embroidered shells, to capes, jackets and hoodies with intricately woven tapestries featuring horse motifs. A blanket of landscape paintings was fashioned into a turtleneck, sleeveless dress in bold greens and oranges that complement the Mongolian steppe.
Elsewhere, a pair of wide-leg jeans with ruffles and fluffy fur detailing at the waist had extra wide cuffs — wide enough to have buttonholes Pin the cuffs in place – a stencil pattern is shown below. Paired with a baby tee and a boho-inspired white felt coat with shaggy fur trim, it had a certain ease but also glamour, like what Rihanna might have worn. Quilted oversized jackets and trousers made from intricately woven jacquard and brocade also have real-life superstar appeal. Also special is a pair of dragon-print jeans made from a special velvet denim developed by Chen. While it’s clear that some pieces won’t be widely retailed, the entire collection incorporates the designer’s point of view, linking traditional craft traditions with modern silhouettes, and in the process ensuring these important craftsmanship doesn’t disappear.
