Feature: Chinese brands add preciousness to Milan Fashion Week

Chinese elements, refined materials and modern taste highlighted the creations of two Chinese fashion designers, Zeng Fengfei and Ji Wenbo, presented here on Tuesday during the Milan Men's Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2016.

For decades Zeng has dedicated to the modern evolution of traditional Chinese clothing. For his new collection, he chose the Twelve Ornaments, a group of ancient Chinese symbols considered highly auspicious. The sacred mountains, the dragon and grains of rice are a few of them.

"I carry on the Chinese tradition, but with a contemporary expressive style which is more close to modern everyday life and needs," Zeng told Xinhua in an interview shortly before the runway.

He added that transmission of tradition is very important both for Western brands and for Chinese ones. "My clothing is very Chinese, but is also very open and very fashion," Zeng explained to Xinhua.

His collection's main color, royal gold, was derived from the costumes of ancient Chinese emperors. But many other colors could also be seen, including scarlet for happiness, sapphire blue for wisdom and purple for dignity. The textiles were mainly Chinese Song-brocade and silk.

Zeng, whose garments were dressed by all Chinese leaders at the Asia-Pacific economic forum (APEC) meetings last year, said he was for the first time in Milan, where he plans to further deepen collaboration with the Italian fashion world and in the future also open a shop in the Italian fashion capital.

Holder of China fashion designer top prize "Golden Award" and Director of China Fashion Designers Association, Ji Wenbo presented a dreamy collection inspired by the thinking of Buddhism. Black, which represents solemnity and justice, was the predominant color.

"I am at the Milan Fashion Week for the third time. As a first-generation Chinese designer, my wish is to be able to inspire young talents," Ji told Xinhua. Being in Milan, a world fashion center, was an occasion for Ji to "learn from the world, but also exchange with the world."

"I am Chinese, but what I especially want to express through my creations is China's relation with the world, in order to start a culture of Chinese fashion brands at the international level," Ji underlined.

He said the collaboration between the Milan-based National Chamber of Italian Fashion and the China Fashion Association was a valuable platform to enhance ties and help the world make acquainted with China's fashion.

In fact, he noted, following China's rapid development some international brands have already got closer to the Chinese culture and have started using Chinese elements in their creations. "As a Chinese designer, I want to mix Chinese insight with visions from the rest of the world," he explained to Xinhua.

Zhang Qinghui, vice president of the China Fashion Association, said that the China fashion market has enormous potentials for development at the international level.

China's apparel market last year registered a growth of 8-9 percent on 2013, Zhang told Xinhua. "Not only China's fashion market has experienced outstanding growth trends, but has also seen increasing demand for quality and personalization," he said.

"There are now many fashion brands coming out from China," he went on saying. The global context, he added, offers them greater competitiveness but also more collaboration, a precious opportunity that Chinese brands have to seize in order to make themselves known and appreciated abroad. Enditem