At Taipei Fashion Week SS26, Daniel Wong unveiled the CORE, a collection that redefines resilience through the language of design. Subtitled “Conviction as Workwear”, the Spring/Summer 2026 presentation explored the profound relationship between endurance and aesthetics, turning utilitarian garments into symbols of personal philosophy. For Wong, workwear is not merely protection for the body but an expression of inner strength, a statement of conviction made visible.

The collection’s essence was built on precision, purity, and purpose. Neutral tones of industrial grey, sand, and soft off-white anchored the palette, offering quiet strength rather than spectacle. Within this restrained framework, Wong emphasized craftsmanship and material innovation, integrating eVent® PTFE microporous waterproof membranes, a performance fabric celebrated for being waterproof, wind-resistant, and breathable. This fusion of engineering and artistry transformed everyday wear into something transcendent: technical yet elegant, structured yet soulful.

Every detail spoke to Wong’s thoughtful construction. Angular pockets, adjustable straps, and subtle reflective trims punctuated the garments, echoing both rhythm and resilience. Tailored jackets met cargo-inspired trousers in silhouettes that felt fluid yet composed; long coats, rendered in soft technical textiles, moved with understated power. Through this dialogue between protection and expression, Wong captured the emotional geometry of strength: how discipline can coexist with sensitivity.

The runway itself was transformed into an immersive performance of endurance and evolution. Grammy-nominated vocalist Chen Xin-Yue (陳忻玥) and hip-hop artist Li Jie-Ming (李杰明) performed live, weaving soundscapes of tension, defiance, and renewal. Their collaboration gave CORE a heartbeat, an auditory reflection of resilience unfolding under pressure.

Ultimately, Daniel Wong’s CORE felt less like a fashion show and more like a manifesto in motion. It reminded audiences that durability and beauty are not opposites but parallels, that strength, when refined through empathy and intent, becomes art. With this collection, Wong reaffirmed his place as one of Taipei’s most thoughtful voices in design, an architect of conviction who continues to shape fashion not just through what we wear, but through what we stand for.