The Shiatzy Chen Spring Summer 2026 collection, aptly named “Unstill,” is a powerful study in kinetic elegance. Unveiled at Paris Fashion Week, the show was a sartorial gallop, channeling the vibrant, restless energy of the 1970s hippie movement while anchoring it in the house’s profound Oriental artistry. The collection takes the horse—an emblem of both speed and grace—as its spiritual guide, transforming its unbound nature into liberated, luxurious ready-to-wear.

The Silhouette of Liberation

The aesthetic centers on fluid, elongated lines and an unhurried rhythm. Shiatzy Chen replaces stiffness with ease, prioritizing a languid "long-on-long" layering. This is best seen in the return of the flared silhouette. Flared pants are paired with cinched vests and sheer lace shirts, creating a romantic rebellion that is both structured and soft.

The menswear looks further emphasize this youthful movement, incorporating mesh tops, cropped jackets, and jodhpur shorts. The palette shifts from the earth tones of the wild—tobacco brown and deep coffee—to vibrant outbursts of fuchsia and cobalt, reflecting both sun-drenched daywear and dazzling disco nights.

Craftsmanship: East Meets Studio 54

Chen Tsai-Hsia, the label's founder, uses exquisite handwork to elevate the 70s inspiration above cliché. The Unstill collection features meticulous cross-stitch and ribbon embroidery across chiffon and twill fabrics, celebrating the era's DIY handcraft spirit with couture precision. These techniques breathe life into airy dresses and structured pieces alike.

Look closely and you’ll find that even the pocket structures curve like a saddle, a subtle, sophisticated nod to the equestrian muse. These moments of artisanal detail are the collection’s silent language, telling a story of East-meets-West through texture.

The Finishing Tack: Accessories

The spirit of the horse is most playfully translated through the accessories. Bags are reimagined with saddle-inspired arcs, featuring layered dimensional structures and bold metal clasps. Jewelry takes inspiration directly from bits and horseshoes, transforming these symbols of equine control into chic, sculptural earrings and belts.

Footwear grounds the collection in the 70s, with reinterpreted Mary Janes and platform sandals that add height and a carefree bounce to every step. Silk scarves, triangular and braided, serve dual purposes as headbands and bag adornments, adding a sensual, free-spirited finish.

Unstill, Unbound

Shiatzy Chen Spring Summer 2026 is a masterful blend of historical reference and cultural heritage. It captures the boundary-breaking energy of the hippie generation and tethers it to an enduring Oriental elegance. The result is a collection that feels less like fashion and more like a declaration: a statement of unbridled, beautiful freedom for the season ahead.