# Metal Thread Runways The Graham Fan Graduate Collection Finds Elegance in an Unlikely Material By Jana Pijak | Published 2014-06-14 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graham-fan References: [notjustalabel](http://www.notjustalabel.com/graham_fan) & [notjustalabel](http://www.notjustalabel.com) The Graham Fan Fall 2014 collection embodies an eccentric element of elegance that is the result of its unconventional metal thread material. Inspired by "the Boiler Suit, a woven metal facade designed by Thomas Heatherwick", this ravishing runway presentation defies convention and showcases pieces that are a true definition of modern glamour. For his [Fall 2014 graduate collection](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/auteur-studios-fall-2025), Graham Fan explores traditional weaving techniques and uses this practice to create a [futuristic vision](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-future-is-not-set) of a strong and sophisticated woman. Graham is based in London, United Kingdom and is a graduate from [Central Saint Martins College Of Art And Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/easy-bake-intense). The Canadian-born designer is of Chinese descent and has always relied on the traditions of his culture for creative inspiration. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.1/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 26% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Metallic Textile Fashion:** The use of unconventional materials, such as metal thread, in fashion design will disrupt the traditional textile industry and create new fashion-forward opportunities. - **Innovative Weaving Techniques:** Exploring non-traditional weaving techniques will lead to new aesthetics in fashion design and create opportunities for innovative textile production. - **Cultural Fusion Design:** Incorporating traditional elements from different cultures into fashion designs will lead to unique and diverse fashion collections, creating new disruptive opportunities for cultural fusion designs. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion Design:** The fashion industry can disrupt traditional textile production by exploring new materials and weaving techniques for a future of sustainable and unique fashion designs. - **Textile Manufacturing:** Innovations in textile manufacturing can disrupt the industry by incorporating unconventional materials like metal thread to create new opportunities for aesthetic and sustainability element designs in fashion industry. - **Art and Design Education:** Creating interdisciplinary learning experiences to blend different cultures and traditions will provide students new disruptive innovation opportunities to usher in creative and non-traditional techniques in weaving textile materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Refined Quiet Luxury Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-journey.md) - [Avant-Garde High Streetwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hm-x-glenn-martens.md) - [Statement-Making Fall Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/auteur-studios-fall-2025.md) - [Modern Tailored Spring Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graphpaper-ss26.md) - [Fabric-Centric Spring Fashion Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sage-nation-5.md) - [Artful Suspended Fashion Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-figures.md) - [Experimental Fall Wardrobe](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/khaotique-noir.md) - [Heritage Winter Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/high-winter.md) - [High Fashion Mud Runways](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/balenciaga-2023-runway.md)