Quoting cult German dancer Pina Bausch, “I’m not so interested in how they move as in what moves them.” Rui Zhou’s fall 2025 collection was billed as a love letter written on the body.
The Shanghai-based designer said she further expanded the scope of her signature intricate knits to include more styles for the everyday, such as draped cardigans enveloping the body with a slightly dry touch, fitted athletic pieces juxtaposed with oversize sweatshirts and jackets, and leather pieces with metal studs.
The designer also experimented with knots and ties as decorative elements and added ribbons and seashells to the collection as she searched for ways to make her covered-up offering equally appealing to buyers.
She conveyed her ideas around the second skin with an intimate presentation where Japanese singer-turned-adult performer Kominato Yotsuha danced around a surreal, cozy room decorated with the brand’s own knitted fabrics, creating a minimalist yet romantic atmosphere. At the center of it was a messy bed surrounded by seashells and everyday objects such as a ceramic dog, nearly rotten fruit, and a large wooden fish tank.
“Her career choice has been very provocative, but we decided she danced in the room as a normal little girl, waking up from the bed, listening to music and reading a book. It almost felt like a meditation to me,” said Zhou of Yotsuha.
