Traditional Chinese elements take centre stage

The event is inspiring the next generation of designers, with thousands vying for its Young Designers' Competition.

Along with silk, embroidery and brocade have been conspicuous at other shows during this fashion week.

China Fashion Week is going all out with the traditional elements of silk, embroidery, and brocade on the runway this year. And the event is inspiring the next generation of designers, with thousands vying for its Young Designers' Competition.

Since the Western Han Dynasty from 202 BC, China has been exporting great quantities of silk, earning it the name of "Silk Country."

Silk is also the key fabric in designer Chen Weiyi's collection. But he is not alone in wielding traditional Chinese elements. Along with silk, embroidery and brocade have been conspicuous at other shows during this fashion week.

Meanwhile, the Young Designers' competition received more than 7,000 entries from young designers from more than 200 colleges. The judging panel, which includes top designers from home and abroad, awarded top honors to Xia Runqiu from the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology.

"What impressed most this year is the diversity of the works. The contestants used a multitude of materials with their own styles, which is rare. The competition has been held for 24 years, and it's getting better and better every year," said Qi Gang, a designer.

The nine-day fashion event, which began Sunday, will see 73 established designers, as well as 135 up-and-coming talents, representing more than 90 brands and organizations.