Earlier this month, modern knitwear brand PH5 and Charles & Keith unveiled their new capsule collection, blending the former's innovative codes that combine the natural and digital worlds with Charles & Keith's ideals of modern femininity. Spanning clothing, bags, accessories and shoes, the capsule marked PH5's maiden venture into footwear—a process PH5 founder Wei Lin shared was "incredibly complex" but ultimately rewarding.
Inspired by the fluidity and movement of both the natural and digital worlds, the collection puts PH5’s signature wave motif at the forefront, finding new life in playful hems and ripple-effect prints across each piece. From the edgy Knitted Gradient Wave-Hem Crop Top—already spotted on South Korean actress and our July 2024 cover star Han So-hee—to a vibrant redesign of Charles & Keith’s Toni Knotted Crescent Hobo Bag, the venture marks a new chapter for both brands as their creative synergies merged into one.
Below, Wei Lin speaks to ELLE Singapore about working with Charles & Keith and the process behind the bold new collection.
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What do you look for in a brand collaboration?
We are very selective when it comes to collaborations, mainly because our team is small and we pour a lot of energy into each project. We only say yes when a partnership offers us the chance to experiment and push the boundaries of knitwear in a meaningful way.
What was it like working with Charles & Keith? Was there anything that surprised you?
It’s been such a rewarding experience working with the Charles & Keith team over the past 12 months. Their product design team was incredibly accommodating, supportive, and helpful, allowing us full creative freedom to experiment. We truly appreciate the collaborative spirit and trust they placed in us. The process not only allowed us to bring our ideas to life but also taught us so much about the intricacies of shoe and bag design. It was a true meeting of minds, and we’re so proud of what we created together.
One pleasant surprise was how quick their sample turnaround time was. It allowed us to iterate more than we originally anticipated, which really opened up room for creative exploration.
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How do you ensure a sense of harmony between PH5’s identity and that of your collaborators?
It all starts with open and collaborative brainstorming. From the beginning, we made sure to align creatively, finding that sweet spot where both brands' identities could shine.
What Charles & Keith signatures did you want to spotlight in this collection?
Charles & Keith and PH5 design for women who embrace colour, individuality, and playful silhouettes. It was important for us to maintain their signature sense of accessibility and modern femininity. This harmony allowed the collection to feel bold yet wearable, something true to both brands.
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What was it like transforming existing Charles & Keith silhouettes like the Toni Knotted Crescent Hobo Bag in PH5’s image?
The Toni Knotted Crescent Hobo Bag was actually one of our favourite Charles & Keith designs. It struck the perfect balance between style and practicality. Reimagining it through the PH5 lens was such a fun challenge. We wanted to preserve the elegance and versatility of the original, while infusing it with our signature playful twist. It was all about honouring the timeless functionality of the bag, but adding subtle elements that reflect PH5’s experimental approach to design.
The collection also features PH5’s first venture into footwear. How did you approach these pieces, and what challenges did you face along the way?
Indeed, this is the first time we ventured into footwear! Translating our signature ombré effect onto shoe uppers proved to be incredibly complex and required multiple rounds of sampling to achieve. However, the gradient print is such a core part of PH5’s design language, we were determined to make it work. It was a meticulous process, but ultimately a rewarding one, as it allowed us to stay true to our aesthetic while pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in footwear design.
Do you have any personal favourites from the collection?
We loved the Gradient Wave Slip-On Mules so much that we decided to use it in our spring/summer 2026 runway show. It is such an easy style for everyone across age, gender, and background, yet it has that distinctive PH5 playful wave detailing paired with a knit insole.
What does the PH5 x Charles & Keith capsule represent to you?
We always wanted to imagine what PH5 would look like beyond ready-to wear as shoes and bags. We asked ourselves: What is the perfect PH5 shoe? What does a PH5 bag feel like? This collaboration gave us the incredible opportunity to translate our design language into a whole new category. It’s been such an inspiring process, and we’ve learned so much about the world of accessories.