The Way Back is about the journey, often meandering, that takes us back. To the Dao, to Home, to Self, and to Details. We took a six month hiatus from offering anything new… to find our Way Back.

~ To the Dao ~

 

 

The Dao literally means “The Way.” It’s the way to think, to move, to flow, to be. We must always honor the Way. 

The Way begins and ends with nature.

Nature is the source of all.

 

 

Yet humanity creates systems that dismantle and block nature from following its' true course. 

We've lost the Way. So we must try and find it. 

 

 

~ To Home ~

 

 

We often find ourselves trying to find our way back "home". We connect with our elders, dig through family records, physically travel to our homelands, and dive into our culture and history. 

Taking these journeys tether us back to our roots, and gives us some stability to stand.

We know where we're going if we know where we've been.

 

 

Last year our team went back to Kelly's homeland, China. But not the modern country of technology and endless resources. The forgotten parts that live deep in the mountains and valleys.

 Our goal was to connect with the people there, who we heard might still be living with nature, and in accordance with The Way.

 

 

We found them. The ethnic, indigenous people of Guizhou are the inspiration for this collection. They have never wandered from the Way.

They’re still there, using their minds and their hands and their backs. Carving their paths and living authentically. We are the ones who find our way back to them.

They are the keepers, though often forgotten and overlooked. 

 

 

~ To Self ~

 

 

I hit a pause on creating anything new. I felt insincere pushing people to buy in a world of destructive capitalism, immense pain, environmental degradation, and endless materialism. I grappled with my role and purpose as a creative.

I needed to find my way back. 

 

 

I realized that the answer is just... balance. Of course. To be more like the Dao, knowing when to push forward and pull back. When to inhale and exhale. That it's ok to take a step back from the endless cycle. And it's ok to depend upon selling things too. 

It's important to be present, feel and acknowledge all the transitions, and make choices from a place of authenticity.

This is the core of Ziran, and the vow I took 9 years ago when I started this brand. Sometimes we just need a reminder. 

 

 

~ To Details ~

 

 

This collection is about finding our Way Back. This means honing in on the small gentle moments that are easy to overlook and cast aside for the sake of the bigger picture. 

 

 

The pieces in this collection feature details that quietly yet confidently convey our belief system. 

 

 

 

Clothing is the thread that tethers us. 

We can come back to high quality, thoughtful garments again and again.

They are safe, foundational pieces we can rely on. They are timeless. 

 

 

This collection offers new silhouettes and prints, all in our 100% hand-dyed xiang yun sha silk. Like a raffia that's intricately woven and buttery, and celebratory florals that are both rich and exuberant. We played with quilting our silk to create structured yet breathable robes, coats, and balaclavas. We also expanded our love of multi-functional garments with reversible vests, tie tops, outerwear, and accessories! 2-for-1 forever.

The Way Back was shot in 3 different countries (America, China, and Indonesia), representing an interdependent world view. We're not all merely connected... we can thrive from this connection. This is the Ziran Way.

 

 

Together may we always look for the Way Back ~  for different narratives to coalesce in harmony ~ and a return to nature.

Thank you for joining this journey with us.

 

 

Creative Direction: Kelly Wang Shanahan (@theziran)

Photography: Jessica Foley (@fauxly), Simrah Farrukh (@simrahfarrukh), Kelly Wang Shanahan (@theziran)

Shot in China, California, and Bali. 2024-2025.