Shushu/Tong , the Shanghai -based fashion label that built a particular brand of femininity around ruffles, bows and pleated skirts, is evolving its innocent beauty into that of an awakened muse. For spring 2026, the brand built a story inspired by the female lead in “Cléo from 5 to 7,” the French New Wave classic.

”We want a subtle sense of brokenness,” said Liushu Lei, who founded Shushu/Tong with Yutong Jiang, who were classmates at the London College of Fashion .

Ten years ago the brand began with a 6,000-word business proposal that was part of their visa application to stay in London. But the duo eventually decided to move back to Shanghai to realize their creative vision — building a fantasy of a strong female character with a penchant for saccharine dresses.

Now, after 10

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