Last month, during Paris Fashion Week at the Alfred Sommier Hotel, the Fashion Week Online team caught up with the creative mind behind Beijing Fashion Week at the highly anticipated debut of the Li Wei · Yu Shu SS25 Collection. Set against the backdrop of the hotel’s lush garden, the ethereal collection was presented to a full house and was met with enthusiastic praise.
After the show, the Fashion Week Online team connected with the collection’s collaborator, Mr. Zhiqiang Duan, Executive Director of Beijing Fashion Week. The runway presentation, crafted in collaboration with Duan, reflected Li Wei’s dedication to blending traditional Chinese culture with contemporary design in the collection titled “Yu Shu.” Drawing from her over forty years of experience in fashion, Li Wei showcased a collection that masterfully embodied a modern “Eastern visual” aesthetic, featuring intricate craftsmanship and innovative techniques that was created with Mr. Zhiqiang Duan.
Q: How do you feel about participating in Paris Fashion Week?
The show was jointly created by Beijing Fashion Week and Qinghai Yushu, and all the costumes were inspired by Yushu culture, combining Yushu intangible cultural heritage elements with Chinese intangible cultural heritage crafts. This collaboration represents not only an in-depth dialogue between Beijing Fashion Week and international fashion, but also another vital practice of introducing Chinese culture to the world.
Through the stage of Paris Fashion Week, we are promoting and displaying Yushu culture and Chinese fashion to a global audience. We invite international friends to explore Yushu, experience China, and fall in love with Chinese culture.
Paris is the fashion capital of the world, and Paris Fashion Week is the trendsetter in the global fashion scene. By participating, we gain insight into cutting-edge fashion trends and have the opportunity to engage with numerous international fashion brands. It’s inspiring to witness the growing presence of Chinese brands and designers on the international stage, where China’s rich culture continues to spread widely. Beijing Fashion Week remains committed to exploring innovative models to showcase China’s excellent culture and design, and will continue pushing Chinese brands to thrive on the international stage.
Q: Which brands are you paying more attention to at Paris Fashion Week?
We are keeping a close eye on several well-known international brands and the trends they are promoting. These brands not only lead the way in terms of new fashion trends but also contribute to the progress and development of the entire fashion industry with their forward-thinking design concepts, technological processes, and market strategies.
Additionally, we are excited about the Chinese designers, including Uma Wang, Ruohan, Dawei, and Shiatzy Chen, who will be showcasing their collections. These talented Chinese designers enhance the global influence of Chinese fashion and pave the way for the international dissemination of Chinese culture. I am eager to see their runway presentations at this year’s Paris Fashion Week, where they will demonstrate the creativity and diversity of Chinese fashion and share the allure of Chinese culture with the world.
Q: Which designers are you looking forward to working with?
Looking ahead, Beijing Fashion Week is eager to continue fostering collaborations with international brands and designers from Paris Fashion Week, maintaining an open and inclusive approach to propel the global growth of the fashion industry. Our goal is to bring Chinese design and culture to the global stage while deepening cultural exchanges between East and West.
We believe these collaborations will bring fresh inspiration and endless possibilities for the Chinese fashion industry, opening new avenues for development and ensuring that China’s unique fashion perspective reaches a broader audience.
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