It’s officially the time when we are ushering in Chinese New Year, and celebrations, especially within the realm of fashion, are happening worldwide. If you’re well acquainted with LuisaViaRoma, the Italy-based online luxury fashion retailer founded in 1929, you’ll know that the former hat boutique has expanded its reach to global shores. With that comes international collaborations, such as the brand’s partnership with Yun Yun Sun, an independent jewelry brand founded by Aimee Sun in Taipei, Taiwan. For the Year of the Dragon, the brand’s flagship store in Florence, has tapped Chinese designer Sean Wu for a collaboration on an in-store Lunar New Year collaboration.
For the uninitiated, the contemporary artist and designer, an alumnus of South China University of Technology and Politecnico di Torino, is renowned for integrating architecture into his installations. With a strong foundation in sustainability, Wu works with waste materials to create upcycled, larger-than-life, and elevated creations. “I believe that creativity has the power to touch hearts and forge connections between people. Just like the spirit of a dragon, it lies in the ability to connect and unite,” he shares. The result is an immersive in-store installation fashioned out of bamboo, a material that symbolises grace and harmony.
Melding these with other organic and upcycled materials, Wu keeps in mind the spirit of the dragon—one of tenacity, divinity, and power—with a blazing, neon green artifact. At the entrance of the store stands a spiral arch mimicking the green essence of the mystical creature, anchored by a screen playing video footage of bamboo artworks. As visitors traverse the space, they encounter Wu’s main in-store installation: carefully crafted, glittering bamboo sticks, illuminated by a custom lighting system, creating a captivating spectacle.
Amplifying LuisaViaRoma’s commitment to circularity and sustainability, Wu’s display is a testament to the versaility of eco-concious spatial design. On display from 6 to 21 February, visitors can experience the installation while browsing the store’s extensive selection of womenswear, menswear and accessories.
