Shanghai Fashion Week concluded today with about 500 brands showcasing their 2017 spring and summer collections.
As one of the 3 runway shows that took place last night, accessories designer Monique Lee made her China debut, presenting her latest hat collection. After graduating from London College of Fashion, Lee started her own brand three years ago, and said her designs are now starting to get more attention in China.
"The collection was inspired by architecture, and has a lot of flora design from landscape. Basically all the inspiration is from my travel. I had many clients in China since I started, so people do wear hats, they go to parties and special occasions, and I think the culture is also growing that more and more people wearing hats these days," said Lee.
There are many Chinese designers like Lee who have studied overseas and then brought their brands to China. Some Chinese designers such as UMA Wang, SANKUANZ and Ji Cheng have already showcased their work at fashion weeks in London, Milan or New York. Fashion writers from across the globe attended Shanghai Fashion Week in hope of learning more about the market. One Italian fashion blogger who has 5 million Instagram followers said it's more than he expected.
"But it was even more than that, there is more research, there is more sartorial behind it. You know, sometimes you think about Chinese designers, you think all about that kind of style you have in mind, but there is a lot of research and ideas and sartorial behind it, which makes everything even more interesting. So it's really nice," said Italian fashion blogger Mariano Di Vaio.
"I've been coming to Shanghai since 2013, mostly twice a year, other parts of China as well. It's just growing so intensively and that's what's really exciting about Shanghai. I can see all the showrooms are developing. There is more platforms for designers to show on. It's really exploding at the moment, but even three years ago, there was so few Chinese designers on the scene internationally, and you've got great designers like UMA Wang and Yang Li, and they are helping to shine the spotlight back on the mainland, where not many people know what's happening," said British fashion writer Gemma A.Williams.
However, Williams added the language barrier and poor marketing strategies are obstacles for Chinese designers to grow internationally. Meanwhile, Shanghai Fashion Week organizers say the industry is still quite young, but are encouraged by the positive changes they have seen in the past few years.
"Shanghai Fashion Week started as a platform for designers to showcase their latest collections. But today, you see that each segment of the fashion chain is connecting with each other, especially the trade show in the fashion week that brings designers, buyers and consumers together. The change is also stimulating more and more multi-brand and boutique shops to open in the city. With that, more great pieces will be discovered and consumed by the public," said Du Wenxia from SH Fashion Week Committee.
Apart from the 45 catwalk shows that were held across the city, the four-day Shanghai Fashion Trade Show had around 31 showrooms with more than 500 brands on display. Organizers said it was an effective way to promote Chinese designs to the country and the world.
