Presented in a show format, Caroline Hu’s spring 2027 collection was inspired by a 2,000-word fairy tale she wrote. Maybe it’s somewhat autobiographical; it follows a girl who leaves home, enters a decaying castle, and becomes trapped in a strange world.

“I use things as metaphors for the environment I’m in and for what’s happening around me,” Hu explained during a walk-through.

She translated the story into patchworked fabrics punctuated with ant-like beadwork, pannier dresses incorporating Sophie Hallette lace, and lines from the tale hand-embroidered onto the garments, alongside imagery of a girl holding an apple while riding a flying horse.

Hu also brought a more practical ready-to-wear sensibility to the collection, incorporating tailoring, outerwear and trousers into an otherwise conceptual lineup.

Hu cited “Interview With the Vampire,” starring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, as a reference for the collection’s atmosphere: romantic, but with a touch of grit. “I wanted the finished work to look romantic and beautiful, not simply broken or ruined,” she said.

The story has an open ending, reflecting Hu’s own uncertainty about what comes next. “I’m waiting for all kinds of things, including opportunities,” she said, describing her feelings about work and life.