When it came time to brainstorm about what the spring-summer concept could look like, the answer presented itself like an unwrapped lotus leaf, sticky rice unveiled in all its glory. Tu and Tsai have built a collection that reaches back into the roots of the kitchen and pulls chef collars and work uniforms into the contemporary light. Dumpling-style pleats adorn the chests of jackets done in herringbone twill, rugged sashiko, and diaphanous organza alike. A watercolor print of fishes tangled in seaweed beds peeks out at the hems of balloon shorts, while also saturating the body of a transparent work jacket and a buttery silk button-up. Japanese gyotaku prints of sculpin (fished by none other than Tsai himself) are splashed across suit lapels and ankles, while the fruit foil to all this marine life manifests as dragonfruit red, seen in wool selves, linings, and a striking pair of organza trousers. The highlight of the collection is a collaged print of Chinese snacks, beverages, and seasonings—a literal feast for the eyes worked into a filled blazer and a puffed chef’s vest.

For the Spring-Summer 2023 season, Steele + Edith professes their longing for the “salad days,” offering a presentation that, in multiple ways, nourishes the younger self. Jia ba buay?