Asia is catching up.

The Shanghai Fashion Week (SHFW) calendar gets better with every season, as China continues to position itself as a global fashion destination. The Autumn/Winter 2026 showcases have exceeded all expectations; drawing positive reactions from on-the-ground attendees as well as online spectators. Highlights from SHFW include Maison Margiela’s first show outside of Paris, Feng Chen Wang’s 10th anniversary show, and k-pop star Hwasa’s coming out as an official Gong Girl.

Take a look at the best A/W ’26 looks from Shanghai Fashion Week.

Maison Margiela

Creative director Glenn Martens’s decision to show Maison Margiela’s Autumn/Winter ’26 collection in Shanghai is one of the biggest indicators that SHFW is slowly rivalling the traditional ‘Big Four’ fashion week calendar. The collection is a literal interpretation of a Parisian flea market come to life, after hours. Unable to narrow down a list of best looks, BAZAAR breaks from the traditional format to encourage the reader to watch the entire Maison Margiela show and embrace this avant-garde expression, realised with unparalleled artisanal skill and craftsmanship. From the manipulation of materials, such as organza, leather, and beeswax, to the intentionally iconoclastic approach to tailoring and draping, Glenn Martens proves to be a worthy successor to John Galliano at Maison Margiela.

Mark Gong

“God forbid a girl has hobbies” is one of the slogans that drives the direction of Mark Gong’s Autumn/Winter ’26 50-look collection, Almost, Baby. It accurately captures the complexities of being a modern woman: navigating desire and demureness, power and pleasure, boldness and restraint. Sartorially, this results in delightfully discordant looks with different states of undress and clashing prints. In a great move, Gong also taps Mamamoo’s Hwasa to tease one of his floral designs; the trailblazing k-pop star is the perfect Gong Girl, known for forging her own path as a musician.

Jacques Wei

Jacques Wei’s Autumn/Winter ’26 collection, No Ordinary Love, does not try to beat you over the head with nostalgia. Instead, it reinterprets familiar elements, such as bubble skirts, leopard prints, and unique colour combinations, for the present day.

Feng Chen Wang

Born in Fujian, China, and based in London and Shanghai, Feng Chen Wang’s unique perspective translates into her clothes. This season, she celebrates her namesake label’s 10th anniversary, staging a runway show with the same theme as her first collection, ‘Love and Life’. For the last decade, the Chinese designer’s deep understanding of traditional craftsmanship and techniques has allowed her to push the boundaries; she has become known for deconstructing, modernising, and innovating conventional styles of dress. That is why she was recognised with the Visionary of the Year award at Shanghai Fashion Designers Association’s inaugural New Wave Fashion Awards.

SHUSHU/TONG

Claude Chabrol’s 1978 crime drama, Violette, starring Isabelle Hupert serves as the inspiration for this collection. The film tells the true story of teenager Violette Nozière, a wayward teen and occasional prostitute convicted of murder after poisoning her father. A common theme emerging at SHFW’s Autumn/Winter 2026 shows involves the tension between girlhood and womanhood. In this scenario, the push and pull is easy to decipher: girlish ribbons and floral embellishments find their way onto elegant 1930s silhouettes; faux fur stoles are wrapped into oversized bows; and modest A-line frocks are rebelliously re-envisioned as t-shirt dresses.

Xu Zhi

Chinese designer and Central Saint Martins graduate Xu Zhi takes us on a journey through time in his Autumn/Winter 2026 collection, Howl. The looks featuring his signature braiding adornment are visually stunning; however, the more compelling ensembles feature layered denim, faux fur, knits, and lace.

Susan Fang

Susan Fang’s Autumn/Winter 2026 collection, Air-Flip, is weightless. Drawing inspiration for nature, her airy designs with cascading floral details are made possible through careful gathering, laser-cutting, and hand-knotting.