Kim Shui is setting sail into the next decade of her life. Fall 2026 marks her 10th anniversary as a designer, which meant it was a bit more special than usual. To celebrate, she took her guests on a ride around the East River. And while the yacht of it all may have been the spectacle and talking point for guests going into the show, it certainly wasn’t what was being talked about as they were exiting.
You could see a culmination of all of Shui’s biggest hits throughout tonight’s show. Inspired by Genghis Khan and his legacy of cultural movement across various territories while still carrying tradition, she was determined to do the same. “I was reading about Genghis Khan and the making of the modern world,” she explained. “Then the idea of discovery came in, and the motion and progression that comes with discovery.” As each of the looks walked by, you could see different periods of Shui’s background, including her Chinese heritage, through the form of craftsmanship. She explored Chinese knotting skills, with some dresses entirely constructed by this technique. Also on view were her famous sexy qipao dresses and
bedroom-inspired negligee pieces, each representing the different chapters of the brand through the years.
A decade requires reflection. That was shown through Shui’s progression in design and handiwork over the years. Tailored suits and pant seams were impeccable and straight, while dress lengths have finally been perfected after years of trial and error. The designer also explored more traditional forms of eveningwear, including a floor-length, deep-V-neck silver metallic gown.
Over the years, Shui has been able to build a diverse customer base. That, in part, is thanks to her ability to make clothes for various body types that also resonates with a diverse group of people of all races and cultures, which was evident in tonight’s front row, which ran from Love Island stars to hip-hop musicians. The only con of the night? The show might have benefited from a bigger boat to accommodate the rest of Shui’s fans.
