Hot on the heels of the four international fashion weeks in New York, London, Paris and Milan, China's version opened on Tuesday. Beijing Fashion Week shines the spotlight on domestic brands and designers. Here's a look at the opening show at the Water Cube, China's National Aquatic Center, which was adapted for the event.

Seventy couture designs marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the ever-evolving trends of fashion.

Chinese cashmere brand, Snow Lotus opened this year's Beijing Fashion Week with its latest Autumn/Winter collection. Highlighting couture craftsmanship and innovative techniques, it includes sweaters, dresses and gowns for both women and men.

The palette of the collection is mainly white, beige, pink and light green, which represent purity, nature and authenticity. 

"With this show, we hope that the many fashion laozihao or time-honored brands in China like us, can see their own revival and continue their proud tradition of making quality designs," said Guo Ruiping, the designer of the opening show. "As designers, we're also evolving, experimenting with the latest weaving techniques or adding elements of smart wear into our designs. Innovation and dedication are what keeps the brand going."

As one of China's first cashmere fashion brands, Snow Lotus has been producing high-quality cashmere clothes since 1965. 

Beijing Fashion Week has been dedicated to showcasing homegrown brands like Snow Lotus since its inception in 2016. This year, more than 30 Chinese fashion brands will showcase their latest collections.

Though the event is relatively young, organizers say they hope it can be just as influential as those in Paris and Milan.

"The Chinese fashion industry has grown a lot in recent years. The fashion industry is an important part of Beijing's creative industry," Wu Li, president of the organizing committee of the Beijing Fashion Week, told CGTN. 

" It's important to establish platforms such as the Beijing Fashion Week to help promote local brand fashion designers, to convey Beijing's cultural confidence and fashion vibe.”

Apart from fashion shows, the weeklong event will also feature fashion forums, themed exhibitions, competitions and activities to highlight China's intangible cultural heritages. Beijing Fashion Week runs until September 10. 

(Cover: Models present the Snow Lotus's Autumn/Winter collection in this year's Beijing Fashion Week. /VCG Photo)