Traditional Chinese kites were the core inspiration for the Pronounce spring 2026 collection, presented by designers Yushan Li and Jun Zhou at the Fondazione Sozzani. The duality represented by a kite—delicate materials and a strong structure—guided the duo through a collection of continuous juxtapositions. Even the shapes of the Chinese kites were translated into the silhouettes of their outerwear proposals, as they delved into this theme which is strongly connected to their roots. The collection, overall, looked more formal than the usual Pronounce aesthetic, with an evident focus on tailoring. The reason, according to Li and Zhou, is that they wanted to celebrate the importance of the kite tradition and all the rituals surrounding it with more polished looks.
Through a palette that reflected the colors of a summer sky—from sunny to stormy weather—the proposals went from pastel to darker and gray tones. The jersey silk viscose polos with soft knotted collars opened the show together with the first sartorial pieces. Among these, the shorts with an integrated belt stood out, as did the sheer suits that recalled the concept of lightness. On a similar “light” note, long parkas and short windbreakers were conceived to reprise some of the kites’ geometrical designs. Structured pieces represented the internal frame of the kites: oversized blazers and cropped versions of Mao jackets, as well as faux leather garments, such as the ample pants and the deep round neckline tank tops.
An interesting debut was the launch of the first shoe produced within the Pronounce workshop: a contemporary square-pointed lace-up in distressed leather in a variety of neutral and pastel hues that perfectly matched the whole collection.