Wind, tide and 80 looks: Malaysia’s Mac Chew adds musical touch to Cabbeen’s Shishi seaside runway

Models walk the seaside runway at Cabbeen’s “Winds Unbound” show at Hanjian Daxia Bay in Shishi, Quanzhou, on September 20. — Picture courtesy of Cabbeen

By Malay Mail

First Published: Wednesday, 14 Oct 2026 8:55 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Chinese fashion label Cabbeen returned to the Shishi coast in Fujian province for the third year running last month, staging an open-air seaside runway that featured a musical contribution from Malaysian composer Mac Chew.

The showcase, titled “Winds Unbound”, was held at Hanjian Daxia Bay on September 20 as part of Quanzhou Fashion Week (Autumn/Winter) 2026.

It unveiled the brand’s latest collection, “The New Code”, comprising 80 looks.

In a media release, the collection is said to span military-inspired pieces, Chinese New Year influences, washed denim, urban wear, quiet luxury and streetwear.

Traditional Chinese and Minnan elements were reworked through contemporary tailoring, silhouettes, colours and details.

Instead of a conventional indoor runway, Cabbeen used the coastline itself as the stage, with rocks, open sky and the changing tide forming the backdrop.

Models wave to the crowd as they run down the runway during the finale of Cabbeen’s “Winds Unbound” show. — Picture courtesy of Cabbeen

The brand said the setting reflected its southern Fujian roots while signalling its ambitions for a wider international audience.

“One side is home, the other is the world. What continues to connect the two is this sea,” said Mr Cabbeen in the press statement.

According to the brand, the outdoor format deliberately handed some control back to nature. The rising tide, the direction of the sea breeze and the pace of the sunset could not be fully choreographed, and the garments moved with the wind, sand and seawater.

Malaysian behind the music

Mac Chew, a composer and music arranger who has worked extensively across the Asian music industry, was involved in a new arrangement of the classic Minnan song “The World’s Number One”.

The arrangement pairs contemporary instrumentation with the bamboo flute, linking traditional Fujian heritage with a modern Asian sound.

The musical production also featured musician Matt Sim, while Hong Kong singer-songwriter Pang Hai Tong served as producer.

Mr Cabbeen closed the show with his own performance of the song on the runway.

Looks from Cabbeen’s “The New Code” collection, which spans quiet luxury, washed denim and urban streetwear. — Picture courtesy of Cabbeen

Star-studded front row

The event opened with a yellow-carpet arrival of celebrities and personalities. Guests included Wang Qian Yuan, Lil Ghost, Kelly Yu, Jacky Heung, Beibi Gong, Li Wen Han, Edmond Leung, Ma Su and Alex To.

The showcase comes as Cabbeen prepares to mark its 30th anniversary in 2027.

The brand said the “Winds Unbound” theme reflected its journey of moving forward while staying connected to where it began. It described the evening as a celebration of the brand’s roots, its direction and the creative voices that shape it.