Lii Spring 2026: Fun With Form and the Future of Fashion Storytelling

When Zane Li showed off Lii's Spring 2026 collection, "Fun With Form," at New York Fashion Week, it was more than just another seasonal show.

Image credit: Look from Lii Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear. From Vogue (2025).

It demonstrated how the next generation of designers is transforming not just the shapes and fabrics of clothing, but also how we perceive memory, storytelling, and the role of fashion in our lives.

Image credit: Look from Lii Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear. From WWD (2025).

A Play on Shape and Use

The runway was filled with experiments in shape and proportion, such as draped blazers over athletic references, sculptural dresses with streetwear elements, and textures that transformed under stage lighting. Li said that the collection, titled 'Fun With Form,' was a way to demonstrate how sound can evoke memories by transforming sounds into clothing. The concept of 'Fun With Form' represents a new approach to fashion that extends beyond mere visual appreciation, engaging all the senses in a conversation that fosters a deeper understanding.

A New Designer in Context

Lii was founded in 2023 and quickly gained popularity worldwide, with stores opening in Japan, France, and Italy. This was the first whole runway show in New York, and it was a significant event. The brand has already worked with Nike, mixing high-concept design with performance materials. However, what sets Lii apart is its unique approach to [specific aspect of fashion or design]. This is similar to what we've seen from Jacquemus x Nike or Yoon Ahn's Ambush x Nike projects. These kinds of partnerships demonstrate how young designers are leveraging major sportswear companies to disseminate their style globally.

The New Wave of Fashion Shows

'Fun With Form' emerges at a time when the fashion world is abuzz with new ideas such as [specific trends or concepts]. Lii shared the stage with big names like Proenza Schouler and Tory Burch at New York Fashion Week. In Paris, Louis Vuitton and Dior are still the leaders in high-end storytelling. Brands are all trying to make deeper crossovers. For example, Balenciaga is featured in Fortnite, Gucci is on Roblox, and Hermès remains the talk of the town when it comes to exclusivity with its Birkins. This is important because it demonstrates that the fashion industry is evolving: it's not just about clothes anymore; it's about entire ecosystems of experience. Designers like Zane Li are reminding us that connecting with customers and telling stories are just as important as picking out the right fabric or tailoring.

What This Means for Fashion Management and Marketing

"Fun With Form" demonstrates to our Raffles students how design, consumer psychology, and brand positioning can work together strategically. It illustrates how new brands utilize stories to compete with established ones, how collaborations attract new fans, and how events evolve into cultural phenomena rather than merely seasonal obligations. Our Fashion Marketing & Management program at Raffles Jakarta prepares students to navigate these changes, from developing runway strategies to influencing purchasing decisions, from crafting narratives about heritage to creating digital experiences that are effective across all platforms.

Want to see how our students are already using these ideas?

Here are some of the highlights from our past fashion shows.

Please stay up to date on our upcoming fashion events here so you don't miss what's next.

Arman POUREISA

Marketing Manager

Business Administration Lecturer

Raffles Jakarta

Reference

Reuters. (2025, September 17). Hermès defeats class action again over hard-to-get Birkin bags. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/hermes-defeats-class-action-again-over-hard-to-get-birkin-bags-2025-09-17/

Vogue Business. (2025, September 10). Inside Lii’s first New York Fashion Week runway. Vogue Business. https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/fashion/inside-liis-first-new-york-fashion-week-runway

WWD. (2025, September 11). Lii RTW Spring 2026. Women’s Wear Daily. https://wwd.com/runway/spring-2026/new-york/lii/review/

WWD. (2025, September 11). Lii Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear collection [Photographs]. Women’s Wear Daily. https://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/lii-spring-2026-ready-to-wear-collection-1238197920/

Vogue. (2025, September 11). Lii Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear collection [Photographs]. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2026-ready-to-wear/lii/slideshow/collection#1