For South Korean Hong Yujin, Beijing is a place to restart her life.

The designer for Chinese fashion house SBIF Seoul vows to conquer Chinese fashion followers with her original designs for brand Crcara.

"I want to impress them with my unique style, luxury, the classics and a sweet Korean touch," Hong said.

The designer recently held her first fashion show in Beijing for her 2009 spring and summer collection.

She presented refined, wearable designs that paid attention to trends like high waists. Although the color palette was largely neutral, the collection also included several skirts and frocks in gorgeous yellows and red. Ethnic patterns and pearls adornments on suits were other highlights.

To catch the transparency trend in 2009, Hong ushered in sheer skirts and pants in her collections, but paired them with bloomers and shorts.

"Elegance is always the key to wearing trends," Hong said.

Hong admitted she has learned a few things since starting work here. "For instance, when buying coats, Chinese consumers like to ask how to wash them and how to match them with sweaters and trousers, which Koreans seldom consider," Hong said.

"Opposed to foreigners' assumption that Chinese are conservative in fashion, people here are quick to accept new trends," Hong said, adding the money that today's middle class spends on clothes and luxuries is no less than South Korean or Japanese fashion followers.

Where to buy:

3rd floor, Beijing Lufthansa Center, 52 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang district

BS-41,Solana Lifestyle Shopping Park, No.6, Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, northwest corner of Chaoyang Park

(China Daily January 4, 2009)