Show of satisfaction ( 2003-12-05 09:47) (China Daily)
The 2003 China Fashion Week goes down in the record books as one of the
nation's most alluring trade events.
During the event, which ended last week, every renowned Chinese designer who
takes pride in his or her calling made use of the occasion to unveil sensational
and striking creations for next spring/summer.
As the twice-yearly festival hit the town, a dazzling stream of designers,
supermodels, make-up artists, writers, photographers, buyers, celebrities and
jet-setters flocked to the Beijing Hotel and China Hotel, where some 30 shows
were held.
In addition to the runway shows on the official calendar, a variety of
showroom presentations, exhibitions and forums between the brands' CEOs and
designers kept dedicated followers of fashion buzzing throughout the week.
Beijing's first fashion week in 1997 only featured three shows, said Wang
Qing, president of the China Fashion Designers Association. But the event has
since become a highlight on the country's fashion calendar with dozens of shows
and parties this year.
"China is in the same position that Japan held about a decade ago," Wang
said. "And it should become an equally important market."
The future looks bright - that was why so many well-known houses such as
Christian Dior, Chanel, Celine, Leonard, Scherrer and Kenzo sent representatives
this year, Wang said.
"Through six years of effort, fashion week has helped China establish a
fashion industry from the home of mass clothes producing factories," he said.
But as for home-grown world-class fashion talent, international industry
experts say China has a long way to go.
"It will take a long time to develop Chinese name brands. It's a long, long
process," said French Fashion Federation President Didier Grumbach, who was the
organizing committee's guest of honour for the week.
Hubert Barrere from Paris said the Chinese are "still making very basic
ready-to-wear" clothing. He was invited by China's leading fur brand NE.Tiger to
display his luxurious evening dress collection the day before the fashion week's
official opening.
"China is looking for designers to supervise their collections, and that's
why I (have been) invited by NE.Tiger to design evening dresses for the brand,"
Barrere said.
Barrere added that he has drawn inspiration from Chinese culture and would
like to design for NE.Tiger in the future.
Beijing White Collar Fashion Co's label K.UU's designer Fu Kui made a big
splash at the opening show to make a striking start for Chinese designers during
the week.
The 32-year-old designer's show gathered 100 models who walked along the
white marble balustrade against the background in the striking red colour
similar to that of the Forbidden City's walls.
He stuck to his recipe of blending the graceful and modern to create
ready-to-wear outfits for women.
Six young Chinese designers also brought their creations after giving an
impressive joint show in Paris in October, which was part of the year-long
celebration of Chinese culture in France.
Each offered a collection for spring/summer 2004 rich in reference to
traditional dress but with a modern spin, from the edgy street wear of Wu Xuekai
to Liang Zi's refined elegance, illustrated by a crisp silk red mini-dress
embroidered with a floral motif.
The irrepressible Wu, designer of Shanshan Group's label Firs and last year's
winner of the Golden Crown - China's highest award for designers - returned to
fashion week after a hectic and high profile year.
A highly commercial eye and strong design sense makes him a great influence
on style. Entitled "Sound of Nature," Liang's collection was full of flower
prints, embroidered butterflies and rosy striking peonies.
"The main idea is to express my love for life, health and happiness," said
Liang.
Wang Hongying sent out a myriad of ensembles in yellow printed silk that
conjured up images of glowing Chinese lanterns, while Gu Yi drew inspiration
from Buddhist teachings for an understated collection in stone, moss green,
black and brown.
Luo Zheng's sky blue silk floral print dresses and a mini-skirt of open fans
were fresh and flirty. She designed a special T-stage with five big mirrors to
show off the work. Through each of the mirrors, people saw the different sides
of models.
Fang Ying offered a serene collection in green, grey, black and chocolate
brown, creating texture with loads of appliques. Fang's inspiration came from
ancient bronze ware, so she called her show "Past and Present." Fang won this
year's Golden Crown.
The spring/summer calendar not only saw stellar shows by established
designers from many of the country's leading brands such as Firs, White Collar,
NE.Tiger and Mark Cheung, but an increase in new comers or student designers
hoping to grab their chance.
Liu Wei from Shanshan Group's women's label Rose.W and Ji Wenbo from XDLong
Sportswear Co Ltd are among the rising designers.
Colour, detail and femininity are the lynchpins of Liu's work. She offered
light and very graceful colours from sombre brown and melancholy blue-grey to
jade green and egg-yolk yellow. Fabric is also the key, from eye-catching prints
to vintage-looking tweeds and rich velvets. Shapes softly flatter the body and
delicate, sensuous evening wear is her forte.
Ji started his show with 12 models with the facial make-up and dress of
Peking Opera performers, featuring a rich flavour of Chinese arts and culture.
And his motorcycle-style jackets were described as a marriage between
sportswear and tailored clothing.