The Cinnabar Open-Back Top combines a sculptural sleeveless silhouette with a richly textured fabric that reveals itself gradually in changing light. Woven with subtle metallic fibres, the surface carries a deep red lustre that catches the sun with understated brilliance.
The rich red recalls cinnabar lacquer, traditional mineral pigments, and the muted reds found in aged silk and lacquerware. Rather than a bright scarlet, the colour sits somewhere between wine, lacquer and oxidised vermilion.
The contrast between the modest front and exposed back also echoes a recurring theme within contemporary Chinese fashion: allowing restraint and revelation to coexist within the same garment.
The front remains deliberately restrained, allowing the fabric and silhouette to speak through proportion alone. At the back, an open construction interrupted only by a gathered strap introduces a moment of tension between concealment and exposure.
The result is a piece that balances softness with structure, creating a silhouette that feels simultaneously quiet and dramatic.
| Size |
AU Size |
Length |
Shoulder |
Bust |
| One Size |
AU 6–10 |
58 cm |
43 cm |
93 cm |
Jan is 175cm, has a bust of 80c, waist of 60cm and hips of 88cm.
Fabric
Polyester blend
Imported fabric
Subtle metallic yarn throughout
The fabric possesses a soft reflective quality that produces flashes of red under direct light. Rather than appearing glossy, the finish remains subdued and textural.
Design Notes
The fabric selection "captures attention at first sight." The deep red surface contains fine metallic threads that reflect light subtly, producing what the designer describes as a restrained brilliance.
The silhouette itself follows principles often found in contemporary Chinese design:
- simplicity at the front
- drama through the reverse
- emphasis on negative space
- contrast between exposure and concealment
The open back becomes an architectural gesture rather than an overt cut-out, allowing the garment to reveal itself through movement.
Care
Gentle machine wash at 40°C or below
Wash separately
Do not bleach
Low-temperature ironing only
Hang dry in shade
Avoid prolonged soaking
Measurements may vary by 1–3 cm
