Miao ethnic culture on display at China Fashion Week

Hot on the heels of Beijing Fashion Week, another fashion industry event has kicked off in China's capital. Autumn/winter 2024 China Fashion Week, running from March 23 to 31, brings together more than 170 designers and brands, showcasing the cream of the country's fashion talent. Opening the event was designer Zhang Xiaoqi, who presented a wedding dress collection inspired by Miao ethnic culture.

Showing the beauty of traditional Chinese wedding customs and traditional aesthetics, the inspiration comes from the legend of Mother Butterfly among the Miao people.

"I learned the legend of Mother Butterfly when I was collecting materials in Guizhou and Hunan provinces. The story is so beautiful. And I was also impressed by the rich culture and the decorative adornments of the Miao people, as well as their natural talent for singing and dancing. So, I decided to use these elements in my designs," said the designer.

This marks the first time Zhang has opened China Fashion Week, adding a new chapter to his career and setting high benchmarks in the fashion world.

He used traditional techniques such as printing, weaving, jacquard, and embroidery to strengthen the layers of the fabrics used and create exquisite patterns and details.

"For this collection, I have integrated traditional Chinese elements with the latest fashion trends to show the special charm of traditional Chinese culture," added Zhang.

Autumn/winter 2024 China Fashion Week features more than 130 shows by over 170 designers and brands, with a focus on Chinese aesthetics, cultural inheritance, technological innovation, and industrial upgrading.

"Our rich cultural heritage provides a constant source of inspiration for designers. Many participating in this season's event have employed traditional Chinese elements, symbols or totems, like the Longmen Grottoes and Chinese porcelain, in their designs," said Xie Fangming, Vice Chairman of the China Fashion Association.

China Fashion Week, hosted by the China Fashion Association, is an important platform for designers from China and abroad to showcase their latest innovations while also facilitating a range of cultural and artistic exchanges.

Since its launch in 1997, it has moved in tandem with the development of China's fashion industry, bridging gaps between designers and various international markets for over 20 years.