September 22, 2025 marked the closing day of London Fashion Week with the highly anticipated “HUBING SELECTS: Equal Ethereal” show. Presented by Mr. Hu Bing, China's first-generation supermodel, decade-long global ambassador, and UK cultural communication ambassador, in collaboration with the “100 Faces of Fashion Going Global” team, this spectacular finale was themed “Golden Age.” The presentation not only paid tribute to legendary designer Pierre Cardin but also showcased the creative excellence of design talent cultivated by the Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University. Maruyama Aya, a doctoral candidate at the Academy, served as lead designer, creating 38 of the show’s 46 looks while overseeing the collection’s overall aesthetic direction and narrative arc.
In this internationally watched closing show, Maruyama Aya not only completed the design and presentation of the vast majority of pieces but also maintained comprehensive control over the show’s continuity and collection cohesion, fully demonstrating the professional capabilities and international vision of design talent nurtured by Tsinghua University on the global stage.
Maruyama Aya, Doctoral Candidate, Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University
Maruyama Aya is a member of the “100 Faces of Fashion Going Global Initiative” launched by Mr. Hu Bing. Co-organized by the China Fashion Association and the Chinese Association for the Study of Dress and Adornment Culture, this initiative is driven by a public welfare mission. Leveraging the platforms of the four major international fashion weeks—London, Paris, Milan, and New York—it aims to build bridges to the world stage for outstanding design talent, promoting the exchange and integration of China’s fashion industry with international design forces. Since its launch in September 2024, the initiative has continuously advanced the globalization of China’s fashion industry and international cultural exchange through the HUBING SELECTS public welfare project.
“I began designing after receiving the assignment on August 3rd, completing all pattern-making and production within just over 30 days. On September 8th, after finishing the fittings, I finally felt a sense of relief,” Maruyama Aya candidly shared, describing her predominant emotions as “nervous” and “anticipatory.” This was her first time independently undertaking an entire show, requiring her to manage not only dozens of garments but also to orchestrate the narrative continuity and collection unity throughout.
This collection draws its core inspiration from paying tribute to Pierre Cardin, incorporating metallic elements to echo an era filled with breakthrough and avant-garde spirit. Simultaneously, it extensively employs high-tech fabrics from China, challenging conventional perceptions and allowing materials themselves to become part of the design language. “For me, this is not merely paying tribute to the past but engaging in a dialogue that transcends time and culture,” Maruyama Aya stated. As a young-generation designer, she hopes to honor the master's rigor and innovation while integrating her academic learning into her creative work, demonstrating Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University’s scholarly excellence and the technical prowess of Chinese manufacturing on the international stage. “Fashion is a bridge, and we can make it wider, higher, and stronger, allowing the whole world to walk upon it together.”
Selected Runway Images
The show was star-studded with a powerful guest lineup. This closing show was not only a milestone in Maruyama Aya’s personal academic and professional career but also a concentrated demonstration of Academy of Arts & Design, Tsinghua University’s academic strength and innovative image on the international stage.
Maruyama Aya Leading the Design Team for Curtain Call
