Local designers dazzle the runway

Actress Gong Li at China Fashion Week's opening party. Photo:CFP
As the world's leading designers, fashion editors, buyers and models descend on the capital, catwalks are abuzz with stunning haute couture and next season's trends as China Fashion Week Spring/ Summer 2010 gets into full swing.

Officially opening last night with NE TIGER's Butterfly and Fan-Good Karma collection, the industry preview Sunday saw stunning film star Gong Li dressed in a Peking Opera-inspired Aimer evening gown by the label's chief designer Zhang Hongyu.

The NE TIGER collection drew on traditional embroidery techniques with a modern interpretation, the combination of old and new expected by many observers to be a common thread this season.

"You will see designs that suit up with a feel-good vision of spring-bright colors, attention to details, especially with shoulders this year and deliberate styles that last beyond the fluctuation of the economy," revealed established designer Guo Pei.

Over 40 shows will present mainly local designs from more than 50 labels.
"This year's event will prominently feature domestic talents and brand names," said Wang Qing, president of China Fashion Week.

"Foreign brands and designers usually account for about 20 percent of the shows, but this time, we'll only see one hairstyle showcase by a UK designer, apart from sporadic offerings from Japan and South Korea."

Wang Qing attributed the noticeable absence of international players to the economic recession, which dealt a heavy financial blow to many fashion houses.

"This year, designer-owned brands rather than major fashion houses will dominate the catwalk," Wang explained.

"It's a very good sign. It shows that China's garment making is transforming from processing and export to the talent-driven mode, a token of an upgrading of the industry."

One of the highlights of the week is the inclusion of several Taiwan-based designers. Wedding dress designer Tsai Meiyue, knitwear queen Gioia Pan as well as lingerie brand Ordifen will take to the runway while a joint showcase by 10 Taiwan-based labels is expected to steal the show.

Men's fashion is also a hot ticket with works from established commercial brands such as Cabbeen, to individual designers including Wang Yutao and Zeng Fengfei, all on the event's agenda.

China Fashion Week will also boast the largest number of industry competitions in its 12-year history with up-and-coming talent given the opportunity to shine.

Haute couture features highly, with a roster of China's top creative minds in the industry, including Qi Gang, Liang Zi, Guo Pei and Mark Cheung, all expected to thrill.

China Fashion Week will conclude this year with White Collar's Spring/Summer 2010 collection and the China Fashion Awards on November 9 at the Banquet Hall of Beijing Hotel.

Source: Global Times