Ephemera

Check out more from the collection below.

Fashion

Terrence Zhou's "No Thought Process": Bad Binch TONGTONG SS24

Terrence, amazing show. Really, truly amazing.

Thank you!

Your characters, the movements, the music, especially the venue…what was the thought process behind it all?

No thought process. Just finding a venue itself is such a magical moment. I was hustling on different locations. I almost accepted that I wouldn’t have a show this year. But then, I was taking a nap in my car, and I just had this feeling. Like, a thousand angels yelling out to me that I had to keep looking. And just like that, Gia called me, saying, “I have a location for you!”

Oh, wow. Just like that.

Yeah, I was open to anything. I didn’t try too hard with the details because I knew that as long as I’m true to myself, then everything will fall into place.

And it did.

When I’m open enough, the thoughts, ideas and details all fall into place. I think of myself as a blank, white paper. And whatever the universe wants to show the world, it’ll put it on me. Like a vessel, showing you the world.

Your show didn’t have the conventional “runway” type feel to it. What were your intentions with that?

Well, not intentional in the sense that I’m putting myself on the other side of the traditional runway. I have a lot of respect for those. At the same time, I’ve noticed that many shows that I’ve attended are missing something. They’re missing feeling. At the end of the day, clothes burn but feelings are the ultimate truth.

There were a lot of emotions conveyed with yours.

Yes, I’m always thinking of how I can convey emotional aspects through my models and pieces. I don’t want to be on the opposite side of traditional runway shows. But I also don’t want to take away from the fashion aspect. I want both of the sides to be shaking hands.

Exactly.

All models are real people… they go grocery shopping, they read books, but sometimes this is lost on the runway. For me, it just doesn’t feel authentic. I’m always challenging myself to think, “how can I bring out each person’s authentic self on the runway?”

In terms of authentic emotions, was there a certain story you were telling through the models?

So, this show is all about letting go. And losing all expectations of results, and focus on enjoying the process of things. We had very little time rehearsing before going on stage. So I was a little nervous before it began, because I didn’t exactly know how it would turn out.

Yet it was beautiful.

Thank you, thank you. And I think that, in not knowing how it would turn out, I was creating a new experience for myself. If you know everything about how an event will turn out, it’s not a new experience.

That’s true, I never thought of it that way. So you even let go in the process of creating the show.

Yes, it’s all about surrendering. For the show, and for myself in general. It’s about enjoying the process and enjoying the collaboration with people. And the results will speak for itself.

This was so beautiful, Terrence. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to see more from you.

Oh, thank you so much!

Fashion

Through Decadence We Find Love: Mirror Palais SS24

Despite the high glamour on display, Mirror Palais exuded an undeniable daintiness and wearability that has quickly garnered Gaia a devoted cult following. Feathers, bustles, towering hats, and exquisite corsetry breathed new life into 18th-century French rococo fashion, adding a contemporary twist to the timeless elegance. Imagine the mischievous spirit and cheekiness of Sofia Coppola's 2006 portrayal of Marie Antoinette, coupled with the deliberate, unhurried saunters reminiscent of the golden age of couture shows, when models reveled in their runway moments.

As the models gracefully glided along, Mirror Palais' signature palette of muted nudes and creams transformed the presentation into a ballet of fashion. Gaia achieved the impossible by making peplum blazers relevant once more, with a striking cream ensemble that left even the most skeptical among us mentally bookmarking it for future Mirror Palais-inspired wedding mood boards.

Fashion

Pink is the New Green: Marshall Columbia x Cash App

Bridging the gap between fashion and finance, Marshall is taking an eclectic twist on the regular, boring debit cards we all carry around. Now with Pink, a customized pink Cash App debit card, you can add some personalization to your wallet. As an extension of the collection – a special edition Pink Cash App Card (a Visa debit card) will also be introduced, featuring customization abilities with special-edition Marshall Columbia stamps.

The Brooklyn based designer pulls inspiration from his skateboarding subculture in which he grew up, including classic skate styles in his signature color pink. Alongside the customized Pink debit card, the capsule includes Marshall’s puffy handbags, his first plush wallet, a skirt, hoodies, cargo pants, and a skateboard deck. Ranging from $50 to $175, the genderless collection is synonymous with the eponymous brand’s values, using clothing as an extension of his consumer’s playful spirits.

We sat down with Marshall to learn more about the premise of the collaboration.

Can you tell me about some of the early influences you drew from for this collection?

I like to incorporate playfulness into my work, usually drawing from specific childhood memories. My work brings me a sense of personal nostalgia that I think resonates with others’ experiences. Pointing back to the past is really grounding for me. I grew up in the suburbs of Colorado right next to a skate park where I would spend a lot of my time with my neighborhood friends. This was a key reference point for the creation of this capsule and I wanted to memorialize that energy while infusing a pop-pink and an array of unique individuals and personal friends. It was really amazing to be able to include a lot of friends as campaign talent and to have put together a such a lit glam team of people I really admire, making this project feel like a true extension of my personal world.

What was the collaboration like with Cash by cash app?

I love that the essence of your own brand really shines through. Looking back now on the past few months working together, I am so proud of what myself and the Cash App team were able to accomplish. They have a huge audience of so many different types of people and I really tried to keep all different types of personalities and body types in mind when designing this capsule. Keeping things playful but wearable and versatile was my main goal. Pink always makes things more playful which is why I gravitate towards using it so much in my work.

How do the cash-app card customizations work?

The fun part about Cash App’s cards is that there is a million different ways you can uniquly personalize them. You can draw your own designs on them or you can choose from a bunch of fun stamps to put on them. I was able to design 6 little smiley stamps, including my smiley flower icon, that anyone can use to design their card when they order it.

How can collaborations such as this strengthen the fashion industry and the community of emerging designers that exist in NY?

We need more brands like Cash App that are willing to invest in emerging designers and give them the space to share their creative vision with the world. Their mission to marry finance and fashion is very bold and I appreciate their support for artists like me. There are so many brilliant creative minds in New York but not enough resources behind these designers to develop beyond the emerging category. I’m really thankful to cash app for believing in my vision.

We need more brands like Cash App that are willing to invest in emerging designers and give them the space to share their creative vision with the world.