China Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020-2021 has raised its curtains at Beijing's 751 D Park. Among the highlights of the nine-day event is the now ongoing Hempel Award, set to recognize outstanding talents in fashion design.
Unlike the Spring 2021 fashion weeks from the big four, which offered a makeshift combination of in-persona and digital presentations, China Fashion Week has returned to normality. And apart from big names in the industry, it is also highlighting the works of young designers.
A total of 23 young designers from home and abroad, including Italy and Cuba, competed for the Hempel Award at the 28th China International Young Fashion Designers Contest.
With the theme of "Hard Candy," the audience got a glimpse of Generation Z and their vision of fashion in the future.
Models showcase collections competing for the 28th Hempel Award at China Fashion Week. /CFP
The gold award went to Lin Yande from the Taiwan region. His collection entitled "Day Dream" featured bold colors and asymmetrical designs.
The silver award was shared by Zhang Yidi for her designs titled "Out of the Comfort Zone" and Hu Jianbin's "2046."
"I created this collection of sportswear because I saw a lot beginners would have bruises over their body when exercising," Hu told CGTN. "So I've tried different fabrics and finally chose this one that gives good support and ventilation."
Models showcase collections competing for the 28th Hempel Award at China Fashion Week. /CFP
With the theme "Reconstruct," this year's China Fashion Week will have nearly 100 events including runway shows, fashion forums, trade shows and a young designer incubation plan. Now on its 23rd edition, the event hopes to move the country's fashion industry forward through innovation.
Zhang Qinhui, chairman of China Fashion Association, said: "The pandemic has accelerated reconstruction and iteration for the fashion industry. The theme 'Reconstruct' really calls for the whole business to embrace the digital economy, to go online. What the market needs most now is innovation, whether in designs or distribution channels."
Another major highlight is the East-West Fashion Dialogue in collaboration with the London Design Academy.
Industry professionals such as designer Jimmy Choo and Iris Van Herpen will join an online discussion on how to sustainably develop the fashion industry amid the pandemic.