merging fashion brand Lii is set to make its runway debut at New York Fashion Week, marking a significant milestone for designer Zane Li’s two-year-old label. The 24-year-old designer, who has already garnered attention from industry insiders and celebrities like Greta Lee and Ayo Edebiri, will present his first runway show to approximately 100 guests this Tuesday.
Nike Partnership Fuels Growth
The runway show is made possible through a strategic partnership with Nike, which reached out to the brand in June. “Li is one of the designers who reinterprets sportswear as a powerful language of self-expression,” says Lynne Bredfeldt Haider, Nike’s director of North America communications. The collaboration includes custom pieces made from Nike fabrics, featuring the iconic Swoosh, though currently designed only for the runway presentation.
Since launching in 2023, Lii has taken a deliberately curated approach to brand building, showing by appointment and securing exclusive partnerships with retailers like Ssense. The brand’s sales increased fivefold during recent Paris pre-market sales through Clothes Agency, which also represents Wales Bonner and Courrèges.
Strategic Focus on Creativity and Commerce
Li’s vision extends beyond traditional fashion presentation, incorporating elements of film, art, and music into his collections. This season explores how sound triggers memories, drawing inspiration from directors like Jacques Tati and Michael Haneke. Despite offers to show in Paris, Li remains committed to New York as his creative base, drawing inspiration from ’90s American sportswear and the city’s cultural landscape.
The designer maintains realistic growth expectations, focusing on sustainable expansion rather than rapid scaling. With only himself and stylist husband Jason Rider currently running operations, Li plans to hire additional team members to support the brand’s creative ambitions while maintaining its artistic integrity.