BIRKENSTOCK took part in the upcoming edition of SS18 Shanghai fashion week, engaging itself in the most dynamic fashion scene in China. BIRKENSTOCK has chosen to collaborate with the talented young Chinese sculptor and craftsman Jiang Sheng and womenswear label Ms MIN to present an art installation named “The Deer Park” during the SS18 Shanghai Fashion Week.

BIRKENSTOCK has created an exclusive collection of limited edition styles together with Ms MIN that was presented next to their Spring/Summer 2018 collection in an exceptional surrounding on October 13th. Ms MIN selected close friends such as Leaf Greener, Miaobin Si and Lina Zhang, that acted as models during the art installation wearing the limited edition BIRKENSTOCK x Ms MIN shoes with the Spring/Summer 2018 Ms MIN collection between the art pieces of Jiang Sheng. Pre-orders for the limited edition BIRKENSTOCK x Ms MIN styles with delivery date February 2018 were  available directly at the venue.

For the collaboration with BIRKENSTOCK, Ms MIN incorporated Chinese traditional culture, a key ingredient to their brand DNA, to convey best wishes through the design of the footwear. Ms MIN has developed the most classic and meaningful patterns from the Chinese culture – dragon and floral motives, that have been realized as delicate embroidery on the warm and comfortable wool felt upper of the shoe. The styles provide a powerful dragon pattern with grey background and cheerful floral patterns on a bright color palette, to go with various styles of the Ms MIN collection.

Another pattern chosen for this collaboration is a spider, which plays with the meaning of “contentment” as it has a similar pronunciation to “spider” in mandarin. From the old times in China there is a simple pun: “to have a spider (ZHI ZHU) on the foot (ZU)" means “contentment (ZHI ZU)”. On the outskirt of the shoe there is stitching in childrens’ mandarin handwriting to convey the message “Happiness lies in contentment". These design elements act as a positive reminder of living a full and content life to whoever wears this style.

Both talents, Ms MIN as well as Jiang Sheng are very influential in the Chinese creative community. Jiang Sheng, the 27-year-old artist makes Buddha statues with his contemporary interpretation of Chinese culture, while Min Liu, the designer of Ms MIN, is well acknowledged for her lush Chinoiserie style blending modernity with tradition. BIRKENSTOCK chose to collaborate with these talents because of the shared values such as the insistence on using natural materials, the pursuit of refined techniques, and a determined attitude.

“The Deer Garden” presented by BIRKENSTOCK will display 12 pieces of artwork done by Jiang Sheng. It is named after the place where the Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon. Buddhism had been preached at open spaces like parks before the concept of temples took form. It is very similar with public gathering on squares as seen in the western culture. The name “The Deer Garden” implies a place where ideas, thoughts and opinions are being exchanged and shared. The set is arranged into an imaginary modern park with plants of geometric shapes to create a plant maze. Surrounded by green and golden colors, visitors will be able to wander through the installation to encounter Buddha statues made of natural materials such as colored glaze, marble or white sandstones as well as the BIRKENSTOCK x Ms Min collaboration styles.

The exhibition is open to public from October 14th to 19th at the central area of Shanghai Fashion Week activities.

THE DEER PARK - October 14th – 19th, 2017, 10am – 6pm, 2F, No.162 Yongnian Road, Shanghai, Visit Reservation: <link>deerpark@attilaco.cn

About Min Liu

Threading global influences through her diverse, seasonal collections, China-based designer Min Liu takes inspiration from her love of culture, history, and the arts. Lush Chinoiserie and bespoke embellishment through crisp tailoring and custom prints, Liu’s signature line blends modernity with tradition, innovation with classicism. Exquisite fabrics, deftly cut silhouettes, and artistic flourish, are hallmarks of Liu’s aesthetic philosophy. One that’s constantly evolving, stirred as much by the future as the past, yet always grounded in notions of proportion and balance. Setting strength against refinement, edge versus flow, for a sophisticated, highly original wardrobe. Contemporary, yet timeless, the boldly feminine Ms MIN is aimed at the woman who understands that grace is a mindset and her wardrobe a most revealing expression of her point of view.