Shanghai – Windowsen unveiled a fantastical runway show backed by Nike, showcasing avant-garde footwear and garments that blend practicality with escapist design. The collection, presented during Shanghai Fashion Week, marks the designer’s first Nike-supported runway and signals a growing investment by the sportswear giant in emerging Chinese talent.
Windowsen, known for deconstructed silhouettes and unconventional materials, presented boots requiring specialized transport – each case costing over 2,000 renminbi ($280) - highlighting the delicate construction and artistic ambition behind the pieces. The show builds on Nike’s recent collaborations with Chinese designers,including Susan Fang,demonstrating a strategic focus on local partnerships to tap into the region’s dynamic fashion scene and evolving consumer preferences.
Designer Lii, who leads a team of 12 from the outskirts of Shanghai, created approximately 20 pairs of boots for the show, emphasizing the need for adjustable structure despite incorporating movable joints. He operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform and a made-to-order model, currently maintaining a breakeven business without wholesale partners. “Being myself,” Lii stated,is worth prioritizing over purely commercial considerations.
This collaboration follows Nike’s September pop-up celebrating its partnership with Susan Fang, whose Nike dunk redesign featured hand-beaded bubble elements and floral motifs. Both Fang and Lii initially showcased their work at Nike’s Victory Lap show during Shanghai Fashion Week last April, alongside designs from Mark Gong and Ao Yes.The spring 2026 edition of shanghai Fashion Week highlighted these emerging designers amidst a broader market slowdown.
