AS Dalio, a Beijing-born fashion brand founded in 2022, made its debut at Shanghai Fashion Week on Thursday in Xintiandi, lighting up the runway with a real black horse.

Its 2025 autumn/winter collection, "Gorgeous Genius," draws inspiration from Elena Ferrante's "My Brilliant Friend," blending equestrian drama and feminine strength to redefine modern power dressing through bold silhouettes and rich, luxurious materials.

Supermodel Liu Dan opened and closed the show astride a black stallion, symbolizing the brand's vision of women as conquerors. Her armor-like coat and sharp tailoring juxtaposed delicate sheer overlays, embodying the "gorgeous genius" ethos of strength intertwined with grace.

The chief designer, surnamed Chen, reimagined classic tailoring with exaggerated padded shoulders, structured suits, and asymmetric hemlines, complemented by luxe elements such as ostrich feathers and metallic accents. Key looks included tailored wool coats, leather trench dresses, and fluid silk separates, blending East-meets-West aesthetics.

This marks the brand's first collection launch at a fashion week event.