Written by Giuliana Salomone | Photography by Audrey Gallagher
Taottao is NYFW’s Emerging Designer You Need to Know
The Taottao Winter 2025 Collection Brings Something New with a Textural Exploration of Nature, Comfort and Nostalgia
Taottao’s latest winter collection is an innovative fusion of rustic textures, unconventional silhouettes, and a deep connection to nature. Balancing futuristic and nostalgic elements, the collection showcases plush faux furs, quilted fabrics, and intricate layering techniques that exude both raw craftsmanship and structured elegance.
Texture takes center stage in this collection, with depth and tactility defining each piece. A brown faux fur sweater, adorned with leaf-like appliqués, evokes a woodland fantasy, while a quilted skirt mimics tree bark. Meanwhile, structured, shearling-lined jackets with exaggerated paneling emphasize the collection’s meticulous craftsmanship. “I wanted each piece to feel almost like a found object,” the designer explains. “Something tactile, something you’d want to reach out and touch.“
Innovative Silhouettes and Layering
The silhouettes embrace voluminous yet controlled layering, featuring wide-leg pants asymmetrical skirts, and oversized jackets for an effortless draped feel. Crisscross lacing on boots and leggings introduces a corset-like structure, tying the collection’s themes together while adding a touch of architectural elegance. Hidden plaid layers peek through jackets and skirts, offering a subtle playfulness beneath the more structured elements. “For me, fashion doesn’t always just have to be glamorous,“ the designer shares.
“It can be relaxed and playful and bring people pleasure. As an introvert, I love to let the clothes do the talking for us—it’s colorful but not in your face.“
Earthy Palette with a Modern Edge
Grounded in deep browns, muted greens, and soft creams, the collection draws inspiration from nature—tree bark, moss, and frost-kissed earth. Modernity emerges through geometric patterns and structured textiles, offering a striking contrast to the collection’s organic softness. “I wanted a balance between the raw and the refined,“ the designer notes. “There’s something really beautiful about imperfection, about handmade things that carry a bit of history in them.”
Blending Past and Future
By merging traditional craft with contemporary design, Taottao evokes the handmade garments of the past while propelling the collection into an avant-garde space. Patchwork-inspired treatments and rustic motifs meet bold silhouettes and technical materials, creating a harmonious balance between nostalgia and innovation. “I’m always thinking about how we connect to the past through clothing,” the designer says. “Fashion is like storytelling—you can feel history in the stitches.”
Taottao’s winter collection is a masterclass in textile manipulation and thoughtful design. By weaving together nature-inspired elements with forward-thinking construction, the brand crafts an aesthetic that is both cozy and daring—a testament to fashion’s power to tell stories through fabric, form, and texture.