From Taipei to London: A Sensory Showcase of Taiwanese Creativity, a one-day exhibition commissioned by the Ministry of Culture. Opened its doors at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), Brandon & Nash Rooms, 12 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AH. Â
Led by an all-Taiwanese team, this exceptional showcase of Taiwanese creative brilliance featured four designers. APUJAN, INFDARK, JENN LEE, and RAY CHU. Curator Rain Wu presented garments as unique narratives, each pieces embodied each designer’s journey. In an innovative collaboration by curator Rain Wu with the acclaimed London-based restaurant BAO London, exclusive dishes were created for each designer’s work to provide a sensory experience. Bridging the worlds of food and fashion.
The visual presentation defining the atmosphere of Taiwan, integrating the four brands’ clothing and displays into an abstract interpretation of Taiwanese sensibility. Environmental friendliness, emotional depth, and innovation. On-site catering and florals further extended this narrative across sight, scent, taste, and touch. Immersing guests in a multi-sensory journey that echoed Taiwan’s unique creative spirit and its confident leap from Taipei to the international stage.
APUJAN displayed three ready-to-wear pieces from their most recent collections, highlighting the brand’s mastery of knitwear, chiffon gowns, and jacquard textiles. Each look invited the wearer into a fantasy world by merging traditional and futuristic garment-making techniques.
INFDARK centered on cultural narratives, reinventing traditional Taiwanese motifs for the 21st century. The brand elevated the nostalgic for this exhibition, and made heritage wearable and easily integrated into daily life. Curating an elaborate fusion of Eastern and Western fashion.
JENN LEE showcased the designer’s 10-year transformation, starting with a dark, fragmented collection created upon her return to Taiwan from Germany. A decade later, that gothic has now evolved with an injection of romanticism. Her playful craftsmanship inspired experimentation, with multi-purpose pieces that empower women to explore their multifaceted identities.
RAY CHU focused on sustainability and diversity, utilising eco-friendly fabric to create tailored, gender-neutral silhouettes. Chu towed the line between structure and fluidity, showcasing the brand’s vision through fabric choice. From upcycled tea leaf waste and fabric from fish-scale waste – a tribute to Taiwanese grassroots culture and environmentally conscious fashion.
Distinguished attendees included Representative Vincent Chin-Hsiang Yao and Anna Orsini of the British Fashion Council as well as NYC retail concept boutique ESSX. Guests praised the presentation as “a truly remarkable sensory experience. Far beyond a traditional showroom,” noting both the refined expression and innovative sustainable materials of Taiwanese fashion. The four brands continue with their SS26 presentations at London Fashion Week (18–22 September).
