A model presents a new creation by Chinese designer Huang Wanbing during the 2018 AW Shanghai Fashion Week. [Photo/shanghaifashionweek.com] |
Young Chinese fashion designers are finding their wings in the professional world, as more of them have returned to China after studying abroad, discovering their success starts here.
During this year's Shanghai Fashion Week, held March 28 to April 3, a section named Labelhood provided a platform for young designers to show their talent.
Most of these designers are from the post-1990 and post-2000 generations. Rather than labeling themselves as "international designers", they prefer to emphasize their Chinese cultural background.
In addition, the young talents aim to create works based on their own taste and ideas, instead of shadowing foreign designers and brands.
During the show from designer Huang Wanbing, a large Chinese-style bed and bare tree branches served as a background.
Another young talent Huang Shasha saw her designs on the runway for the first time. She presented a series of styles inspired by her experience making nets for the local fishermen in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province.
Creativity is the core of the section, which is different from other sections during the fashion week, such as Xintiandi that focuses on international brands.
According to Lyu Xiaolei, deputy-secretary of the Shanghai Fashion Week Organization, Labelhood intends to become a cradle to nurture more young Chinese designers from the grassroots.
Additionally, compared to the four major fashion weeks in New York, Milan, London and Paris, the pricing Shanghai sets for its event is more acceptable to young local designers.
The influence of Shanghai Fashion Week keeps rising. International buyers came to pay more attention to the event, which provides a large number of trade fairs.
Each show in Labelhood had two versions -- one for the media and public, and the other for the buyers.
"You may take it (Labelhood) as a shop or art festival. Our ultimate goal is to strengthen the relationship between designers and consumers," said Peng Yaodong, chief executive officer of the Labelhood section.
In recent years, more and more Chinese designers have appeared on the international stage, including Guo Pei, Angel Chen, Chen Peng and Zhang Huishan. Around 45 Chinese designers have shown their works in the four major fashion weeks.
Their designs have entered the spotlight as more celebrities from both home and abroad choose to wear them.