Modern designs featuring ancient silk craft wows CFW runway

World
Europe

02:19

China Fashion Week (CFW) closed in style on Sunday in Beijing. The week-long event saw a lot of positive energy from homegrown designers. Combining intangible cultural heritage with modern designs has been a common trend, as can be seen in Chinese designer Liu Yi's latest collection which she presented on the final day.

Her collection was inspired by the ancient craft of Song Jing, a kind of fine thin silk often used by royalties and aristocrats during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279).

Designer Liu Yi thanks the crowd during the China Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2019 in Beijing, China, March 31, 2019. /VCG Photo

Using mostly dark colors, the collection communicates how women mellow over time to attain the full height of attractiveness.

While with simple lines and cuts, the men's wear featured an elegant and powerful look.

"We've perfected the craft of the Song Jing which can be rigid sometimes in terms of patterns, and we've added a bit of an ink painting feel to it, very airy. I think it's important for us designers to inherit the cultural legacy, in a practical and fashionable way," Liu told CGTN.

Models display a new creation designed by Liu Li during the China Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2019 in Beijing, China, March 31, 2019. /VCG Photo

At the 22nd edition of the China Fashion Week, young designers were the main force, having gradually increased their presence in China's design world.

Liu created her brand Gong Ji in 2016. She said that CFW helped her launch her career.

"China Fashion Week has been a great platform for us young designers to showcase our designs and meet with industry professionals. It's also a big challenge for me. From the choice of fabrics to the patterns of the clothes, I have seen a lot of breakthroughs as a designer," said Liu.

China Fashion week's next event featuring the 2020 Spring/Summer collection will open in October.