about | xiaowuzheng

XIAOWU ZHENG

is a New York based fashion designer. Trained in fashion at Pratt Institute, Zheng's design experience spans from haute couture to ready-to-wear. His eponymous brand was featured in NYFW, got the stamp of approval and coverage from iconic magazines, ranging from Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Marie Claire, to L'Officiel. Renowned photographer Nick Knight highlighted Zheng’s work on fashion website SHOWstudio. His designs have been exhibited by leading art institutions worldwide, including CICA Museum (Czong Institute for Contemporary Art) in Korea, Culture Lab LIC in Long Island City, Gallery 23 NY in Chelsea, and Harvard University. Additionally, in 2018, Zheng collaborated a sustainability-focused project with American lifestyle brand '47 to revive their deadstock by redesign and reuse all existing materials, which was launched at fashion shows in New York and at the '47 flagship store in Boston. He then launched a collaboration collection with fast fashion giant SHEIN in 2023. Zheng’s work was endorsed by Yvie Oddly, the winner from RuPaul’s Drag Race, featuring his designs for the promotion of her autobiography, "All About Yvie".

In the corporate sphere, Zheng is currently working with United Legwear to rejuvenate their licensed brands through innovated, yet accessible designs for mass market, including Scotch & Soda, Puma and Hurley. He also designed for Toronto-based brand Dunning Golf, Americana brand JACHS NY, womenswear brand Yumi Kim and high-end ready to wear brand Han Wen. Throughout his professional career, Zheng garnished extensive working relationship with buyers from international retailers: Nordstrom, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, Kohl’s, Costco, Ross, and Sam's Club. His understanding of design prowess in both high-end and mass markets.

“Xiaowu Zheng infuses garments with a blend of technology-inspired three-dimensional prints and athletic elements, making them not just clothing, but symbols of a lifestyle attitude.” Quote from Vogue China.

As a fashion curator, Xiaowu aims to provide a fertile platform for both designers and fashion brands to network and strut their stuff. His exhibit curation garners attention from media to business insider. He has worked with non-profit art organization Culture Lab LIC, art space Gallery 23 NY, creative agency DUNDU.N and merchandiser from the MET (Metropolitan Museum of Art).

Xiaowu's style is unconventionally constructed and highly relatable to the modern time. His work uses clothing as a medium and outlet to illustrate floating thoughts and dark emotions. Instead of shying away from controversial topics, he takes inspiration from the dark side of humanity and creates a utopia of chaos. The designer has been exploring and transforming casualwear into free-formed pieces with unconventional hemlines and exaggerated measurements. Through magnifying varying details and redefining human form, his craftsmanship is polished and ripe with thought-provoking concepts.