“For Spring 2006, I am seeing a very soft romantic feeling. Edwardian - Victorian…so lace ruffles, small pleating, tucks and beading are important. Also, an African safari look, so the natural wood and horn look still plays a big role in my collection” Chan Luu proclaimed before her debut show. Indeed, the designer’s new collection had a wispy, ephemeral feeling, underscored by eclectic details.

An oyster wrap cardigan matched with a puffed bouffant skirt, featuring a sliver of tulle peeping from under, epitomized Chan’s delicate touch. Also, a lovely corseted dress embellished with intricate needle-point embroideries along the hems channeled the lady like clothes of literature’s romantic heroines like Emma and Jayne Eyre.

Chan Luu’s designs are lovely syntheses of old and new, fragile and raw, sweet and rough around the edges. Hers is the kind of complex duality which makes for intriguing clothes, capable of transcending the mundane.