One piece from Chen's  Red and Black series which was showcased at a landmark department store in Milan, Italy, in January. [Photo provided to China Daily]

If you are going to make a statement on fashion in Europe then there are worse places than the Italian city of Milan to showcase your talent. On Jan 23, the day before Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve, La Rinascente department store in Milan displayed something special to welcome in the Year of the Rat.

Eight of its arched showcase windows that adorn the building displayed large-sized illustrations with blazing red acrylic ink and black lines. It was the work of young illustrator and designer Chen Zuer.