The Shanghai Fashion Week (SHFW) kicked off this week, but a visa issue kept me grounded in New York. However, thanks to the magic of WeChat livestreams and the buzz from friends on the ground, I could still feel the energy emanating from Mark Gong’s show, which officially opened the SHFW schedule on Thursday afternoon. The show’s setting, a meticulously recreated version of Charlotte York-Goldenblatt’s living room, was instantly recognizable.
This spring collection marked the fourth and final installment of Gong’s ‘Sex and the City’ saga, dedicated entirely to Charlotte, flawlessly embodied by actress Kristin Davis. While everyone seems to identify with Carrie, Samantha, or Miranda, Charlotte often gets overlooked as the most traditional and prim of the group.
“I struggled initially with choosing Charlotte as my last character,” Gong shared via voice note after his show. “She was the perfect housewife with a perfect marriage and kids, but I used to find her cringeworthy.” Gong’s “Gong Girls” are known for their youthful, playful, and free-spirited nature, the antithesis of Charlotte. This very contrast is what spurred him to embrace her as his muse. “I wanted to delve into the real Charlotte, her hidden desires and aspirations. Basically, if I were her, what would I do, and what would I want?”
Growing up, we often revisit people and characters like Charlotte, gaining a deeper understanding of their motivations and aspirations. Gong did just that, revisiting some of Charlotte’s signature sartorial moments, sometimes literally, like the infamous vintage Valentino skirt her daughter Lily accidentally ruined with red paint. But mostly, he approached it abstractly.
The collection showcased a playful mix of cutesy knit sets, classic polka dots and ginghams on silk frocks and wool suitings, intricate floral appliqués, sharp tailoring, and a couple of stunning LBDs. It was a decidedly more mature lineup for Gong, finding momentum and singularity when he dressed it down in a true Gong girl style. Graphic t-shirts layered under corsets, hot pants, sneakers, and sexy bralettes paired with otherwise soccer mom capris added a touch of playful rebellion. His interpretation of this laid-back, yet sultry, style felt fresh and spot-on.
In the wake of this “very mindful, very demure” online moment, Gong asks a thought-provoking question: could Charlotte be the true breakout fashion star of ‘Sex and the City’ after all? His reimagining of Charlotte, highlighting her hidden desires and exploring a more modern interpretation of her style, leaves us with a sense of intrigue and wonder.
