The Temper Fact Checker presents the 5W flashcards of our most titillating and savory ones sauntering through the China Fashion scene, one brand or designer at a time. 5W, you ask? “Who, What, When, Where, Why,” we say. Come hither, INSULAiRE. Check!
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Who?
INSULAiRE is a menswear label based between Paris and Beijing, originally established by Chinese designer and Esmod le grand Paris graduate Zhikai Yang who was born and raised in southernmost China’s island province of Hainan.
Re-interpreting tradition by drawing from the ever-encapsulating Chinese heritage, the brand produces wearable garments that speak to the innovative and fresh interpretations of cross-cultures and globalized design.

Icy Indigo Mud-Dye Shirt.
Photographer @nothingzhuang
Model @hhhsasaki
INSULAiRE SS21, “Shuttle”

Handloom Baseball Shirt.
Photographer @nothingzhuang
Model @hhhsasaki
INSULAiRE SS21, “Shuttle”
What?
INSULAiRE presents a profound understanding of craftsmanship, weaving in artisanal craftsmanship throughout the brand’s collections. From Li Minority (黎族 in Chinese) handwoven fabrics to Dong Minority (侗族 in Chinese)
natural dyeing techniques such as the indigo and mud ones.
The designs have become a poetic realization of the power of memory and the transformative nature of clothing.
Re-using the aforementioned little-known traditional handcraft endows both the process and its result with new meaning.
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On that rather existential note, the INSULAiRE pursues an overall natural and comfortable lifestyle. “Cherish the old, interpret the new, listen to the stories, and seek out that ultimate material for long-term crafty partnership between human, nature, and fashion, all the while embedded with emotion,” the label’s manifesto reads.
The combinations of oriental slash minority structurings with modern cuts embody the exploration of traditional techniques, as well as Chinese tradition itself, maximizing the possibility of future adaptation and re-design.

Rattan basket. INSULAiRE SS21, “Shuttle”

Indigo dye. INSULAiRE SS21, “Shuttle”
When?
2017: The brand was born following the founding father’s graduation from Esmod Paris.
2018: Zhikai Yang and his “Oriental Express” collection win big at the Porto ModaPortugal. Read more:
“It is a mix of craftsmanship and innovation, pragmatism, and conceptualism. Natural colors and comfy volumes, all the garments are a tribute to a tradition violently thrown into a measurably contemporary dimension.”
Thank you, Fucking Young!
2020: Get ready and gear up for the INSULAiRE SS21 “Shuttle” collection, a showcase of Artisan China at its finest and sleekest.

INSULAiRE

INSULAiRE

INSULAiRE
Where?
You can get your grubby little mud mode craving fingers on the brand over at
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Why?
By extracting inspirations from nature, artisanal age-old techniques, and memories, INSULAiRE discusses the relationship between mankind and the environment. Re-interpret, re-use, and re-design.
Fact. Illiberal, limited, narrow, prejudiced, provincial, restricted, secluded, and sequestered are all synonymous with the “insula(i)r(e) word. Not the brand. Check.
Let Chinese tradition transform your wardrobe into a new story via
Instagram: @insulaire_official
FEATURED IMAGE: INSULAiRE SS21 “SHUTTLE” COLLECTION
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