Shushu/Tong SS 25: The Pleasure of Rejection
“The duality of man” is a phrase often bandied around in an attempt to describe the complexity of human nature, but in the context of Shushu/Tong’s SS25 show, “the duality of women”—specifically one woman—would seem more apt.
Inspired by Michael Haneke’s psychosexual drama The Piano Teacher, the collection marks a period of maturity in the brand’s creative journey. If the first ten years were akin to a young girl’s dreams or nostalgia for the innocence of youth, this latest collection feels more like a coming-of-age moment—a headlong collision with reality and all the complexities it entails.
While the collection retains much of the girly charm that we have come to love the brand for—filled with floral motifs, oversized bows and gingham patterns—there is a mature sensibility that runs through the line. No clearer is this seen than in the sumptuous choice of colour palette, which introduces a timeless and elegant scheme of navy blues, burgundy and khaki.
The film’s main character Erika Kohut, embodies a complex portrait, blending clinical restraint with a simmering sense of chaos and burning deviant desire. This dramatic tension of disparate urges pulling a woman in different directions is at the core of the collection’s theme. “Erika Kohut is such a complex female character,” Shushu explained. “Sensitive, conflicted, even mad. Beneath her restrained and reserved exterior lies desperation and chaos, with emotions that rage like a storm. What captivates me most about her is her ability to express exactly what she desires, even when her desires are extreme or irrational.” While Shushu/Tong has often felt girly and light, floating in the realm of fancy and wonder, this season feels like the duo has graduated into womanhood and embraced all the complexities that come along with this new stage in life—a stage we can’t wait to see more of.
Photographer: Zhong Lin
Stylist: Liu Xiao
Model: Hejia Li
Makeup: Valentina Li
Hair: Youhua Xu
Set Design: Sisi Zou
Executive Producer: Tin Wu
Photography Assistant: Big Wang
