This time, F Magazine reunites with Liu Xuancheng in Paris. Together, in this fashion capital that feels both familiar and refreshingly new, they begin an entirely new fashion journey.
After a period of growth and reflection, the spirited young man returns with the same youthful energy, now accompanied by an even greater sense of confidence, composure, and ease.
On a summer afternoon, we met Liu Xuancheng on a street corner in Paris and chatted like old friends. Together, we revisited this unforgettable fashion journey while looking back on how he has transformed and grown over the past year, on stage, in life, and throughout his creative journey.
“Towards the light!” is Liu Xuancheng’s statement of growth, a belief that gives him endless strength to venture boldly into the unknown path ahead.
REUNION IN PARIS
“Haute couture doesn’t always have to pursue something entirely new or extravagant. Vintage accessories and older pieces can make just as strong a statement. There’s something especially attractive about this kind of sustainability.”
Looking back to the fall of 2025, Liu Xuancheng made his debut on the international fashion stage at Paris Fashion Week, instantly receiving global attention and earning praise from international media as a “romantic poet in plaid.”
Looking back on that first experience, he summed up his feelings at the time in three words: excitement, nervousness, and curiosity.
This time, Liu Xuancheng returns to Paris with F Magazine, taking off on a new journey through Haute Couture Week. Coming back to this fashion capital feels more like a reunion with an old friend after time apart.
The familiar streets and the city’s naturally relaxed atmosphere allow him to slow down and truly take in the distinctive sense of romance and openness woven into the very soul of Paris.
This time, Liu Xuancheng gained an entirely new perspective on haute couture, one that completely changed his previous understanding of it.
He once thought haute couture was simply about stunning looks and glamorous, elaborate gowns. Now, he has come to understand that haute couture is far more than just clothing. It is a work of art combined with a designer’s dedication, creativity, and ingenuity, as well as a medium through which we engage in a profound dialogue with ourselves, nature, and culture.
At the Rahul Mishra show, Liu Xuancheng chose a haute couture look he particularly loved, an ivory ensemble adorned with floral embroidery. He explained, “Ivory has an inherent sense of openness and inclusivity, much like Paris itself. It can accept both classical, historic architecture and bold, avant-garde creativity.”
He then changed himself into an avant-garde presence at the Ronald van der Kemp show, exploring the designer’s intricately crafted sustainable haute couture. The experience left a deep impression on him:
“Vintage gowns were deconstructed and turned into entirely new haute couture pieces. The visual impact was incredible, and it gave me a completely fresh perspective. It also made me realize that haute couture doesn’t always have to pursue something entirely new or extravagant. Vintage accessories and older pieces can make just as strong a statement. There’s something especially attractive about this kind of sustainability.”
After watching a series of haute couture shows, Liu Xuancheng also developed a profound respect for the spirit of craftsmanship.
A single haute couture gown can require thousands of hours of meticulous handwork. This extraordinary dedication to perfecting every detail deeply moved and inspired him. It also strengthened his belief that becoming the best version of himself is never something that happens naturally or overnight. It comes through constant refinement and repeated attempts, growing and evolving with every experience until, ultimately, he shines with a light that is uniquely his own.
NO ONE BUT YOU
“I hope everyone can draw the courage to keep moving forward from the lyrics of No one But You, always holding on to sincerity and perseverance, and staying passionately devoted to whatever your heart truly desires, with the certainty that ‘no one but you.’”
“The darkened street corner lay still,
like a galaxy frozen in time,
I kept searching for that one soul
on the same wavelength as me
Then you arrived, carrying light into my life,
and at last brought this long wait to an end”
In early summer, Liu Xuancheng officially released his brand-new EP, No One But You.
The first time Liu Xuancheng heard the demo, he was immediately moved by the emotions woven throughout the song. “At its heart, the lyrics aren’t about a fleeting attraction or momentary impulse. They’re about choosing someone wholeheartedly and, once you know they’re the one, loving them with unwavering devotion and never backing down.”
That mindset, once you’ve chosen a person or a path, giving it your all and leaving no room for regrets, also perfectly reflects Liu Xuancheng’s current approach to his work.
Liu Xuancheng was involved throughout the entire production of No One But You, from the arrangement and vocal recording to refining every last detail. Through the creative process, he not only gained valuable professional insight into arranging and music production, but also developed a stronger sense of ownership over the work and a deeper respect for the craft.
More importantly, he and his team went through repeated rounds of refinement and rearrangement, carefully comparing the layers and specifics of different versions again and again, all to convey that sense of unwavering certainty and confidence as precisely as possible.
“What emotions and message do you hope to convey through No One But You?” we asked him.
“I hope every listener can find a sense of comfort and ease in the melody. I also hope the lyrics can give people the courage to keep moving forward, to always hold on to sincerity and perseverance, and to remain passionately devoted to whatever their heart truly desires, with that unwavering certainty of ‘no one but you,’” he replied sincerely.
To Liu Xuancheng, “It Has to Be You” is like a beam of light illuminating the road ahead, giving people the unwavering determination and strength to keep moving forward.
Growing Better, Little by Little
“Give yourself the time to grow, refine yourself, and gradually become better. Steady progress matters more than speed, and quiet growth lasts far longer than seeking the spotlight.”
“Growth is no longer about rushing to prove myself. It’s about knowing what I want, what I’m willing to persist in, what I choose to stand by, and accepting my own pace.”
Looking back on the past year, Liu Xuancheng has gained a new understanding of what it truly means to grow.
He once believed that growth meant constantly breaking through limits, always chasing the next goal, relentlessly moving forward and filling every moment with something new. He thought that the moment he stopped, his growth would slow down.
But after a full year of reflection and experience, he finally came to understand that true growth also means learning to relax, allowing yourself time to develop, and knowing when to slow down.
“Give yourself the time to grow, refine yourself, and gradually become better. Steady progress matters more than speed, and quiet growth lasts far longer than seeking the spotlight.”
Liu Xuancheng now finds himself moving at this calmer, more relaxed pace, with an increasingly grounded and composed mindset.
In the past, he mostly followed the arrangements made for him, and his work goals were often simply about completing the tasks at hand. Now, having learned to slow down, he has begun taking a more active role in the creative process and paying closer attention to every detail of his work. Rather than limiting himself to simply “doing his part well,” he is learning to take full responsibility for the work he creates.
Learning to slow down enables us to continue moving forward in a fast-paced world without missing the tiny bursts of light that illuminate our way.
Liu Xuancheng has learned to do just that, and he hopes that everyone who is trying to grow can learn to do the same.
When it comes to the future, Liu Xuancheng’s hopes are simple yet sincere: to always stay true to himself and never lose his passion.
At the same time, he also wants to say this to everyone who loves and supports him:
“I’m truly, incredibly grateful to all of you for always being by my side, for your unconditional understanding, acceptance, and love. Every bit of growth, every shining moment, and every step forward I’ve made along this journey would not have been possible without your support and unwavering presence. I’ll carry all of this love with me and keep working hard, so that I never let down a single bit of the love you’ve given me.”
With those heartfelt words, Liu Xuancheng is ready to set off on another journey into the unknown.
May everyone walking alongside him continue forward together: Towards the light.