Ziggy Chen‘s Spring/Summer 2025 collection, presented during Paris Fashion Week with the name “GNARTRICATE 盘枝错节” (gnar-tri-cate, pan zhi cuo jie), is all about the underground turned up. The collection draws inspiration from a Chinese idiom signifying “Intertwining Roots.” But Chen’s interpretation goes beyond the literal, unearthing the hidden strength and untamed beauty that lies beneath the surface.

Traditionally, the idiom refers to the unseen foundation, the network of roots that nourishes and stabilizes a plant. Chen, however, stages a rebellion. He reimagines the roots as “Gnarled Branches,” twisted and disruptive, their wild growth a stark contrast to the hidden order beneath. This transformation is captured in the collection’s name itself, a fusion of “gnarled” and “intricate” that hints at the interplay between structure and chaos.

The clothes themselves are a clash of vibes: pretty but messy, comfy yet wild. Think faded purples, greens, and grays – like colors on old garden walls – alongside the crazy branch-like shapes. It’s all about finding beauty in the unexpected, the messy bits that usually stay hidden.

Check out the collection below: