The Vibe :
⊹ AVVENN’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection draws on the Mogao Caves and centuries-old devotional traditions in Dunhuang.
⊹ Distressed denim, hand-painted T-shirts and textured knits take their imperfect finishes from weathered murals.
⊹ Sequins, beadwork and Electric Blue accents punctuate a palette of muted earth tones.
⊹ Boxing shorts, lace and flip-flops shake up the usual rules of eveningwear.
AVVENN’s Spring/Summer 2027 collection arrived at Shanghai Fashion Week with lace shorts under oversized coats, sequined skirts alongside athletic jackets, and flip-flops making themselves comfortable around eveningwear. Not exactly what you’d expect from a collection called Sanctuary. The inspiration, however, goes back more than a thousand years. Looking to the ancient Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, AVVENN took cues from the peeling layers, faded colors and beautifully weathered surfaces of the site’s historic murals. The clothes carry those references in their textures, with plenty of room for a little unpredictability.
Perfectly pristine fabrics weren’t on the agenda. Knitwear was treated to resemble the pilling and textured fibers of well-worn clothes, while hand-brushed and spray-painted denim picked up faded patches and incidental-looking marks. T-shirts received hand-painted finishes instead of conventional prints. Elsewhere, contrasting fabrics were joined through needle-punching techniques to create irregular, rock-like textures. Some textiles were even folded and creased before printing, leaving distorted impressions once opened again. There’s something appealing about clothes that look like they’ve already collected a few stories before you’ve worn them.
The color palette had its own surprises. Sea Mist Blue, Glacial Teal, Blackberry Purple and Coral Sand mingled with khaki, gray and beige, while Mint Green, Ginger Yellow and Electric Blue appeared in smaller flashes along collars, trouser hems and layered pieces. Dunhuang’s surrounding salt lakes inspired the shimmering sequins and bead embroidery, their crystalline formations translated into tiny points of light. AVVENN also collaborated with artisanal studio Art n on detachable silver earrings featuring curved, crescent-shaped elements and small mint-colored accents. The jewelry picked up the collection’s mineral references without becoming too literal.
Brand DNA
Founded in 2023, AVVENN is a contemporary fashion house pairing Eastern heritage with Western modernity through relaxed silhouettes, art-led details, directional tailoring, and expressive materials designed for a multifaceted wardrobe.
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Back on the runway, the styling was considerably less interested in sticking to one dress code. Yoga leggings, sports bras and boxing shorts peeked out from layered looks, bringing activewear into decidedly unexpected company. Eveningwear-inspired skirts were paired with trench coats, athletic jackets and flip-flops, while tank tops and fringed details joined the mix. The collection’s most playful combinations had little patience for the distinction between getting dressed and getting dressed up. A sequined skirt worn with an athletic jacket is already a pretty convincing outfit, even before someone decides to add flip-flops.
