A model shows off an outfit designed by Chen Jiawei, a design student at Shenzhen University, at the China Fashion Week which started yesterday in Beijing. Simplicity is the main theme of this year's event. [Xinhua]

The nation's best young designers yesterday revealed why most of the world's clothes are not just made in China, but designed here as well.

Beijing struts behind New York in the international catwalk circuit, and now both are under the same dark economic cloud.

Simplicity was the main theme of this year's China Fashion Week.

Young designers, who traditionally kickstart the Beijing fashion gala on the opening day, also paid tribute to New China's 60th anniversary.

Most dresses flapping down the runway were one-piece concoctions, featuring straight cuts, cold and simple colors.

"Simplicity is always in vogue, but this year it attracts more attention because of economics," Shi Zhiqiang, Time Out Beijing fashion editor, said last night.

"China's fashion circle is not as influenced by the recession as those in the foreign countries, but we too won't see fancy garments with much embellishment in this year's fashion week."

Despite being in its 12th year, China Fashion Week does not attract the industry's big names, such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, or Dolce & Gabbana, the sort who dazzled Hollywood celebrities and the international jet set in New York a few weeks ago.

However, unlike other international industry promotions, China's fashion foray not only features shows, but also contests, seminars and forums.

Yesterday's Hempel Award, organized by China Association and Hempel International Group, attracted a fresh crop of young designers from 18 countries and regions.

More than 40 fashion shows will be staged in Beijing over the next week, including the ones brought by Notting Hill Men's Fashion, Edenbo Business Casual Men's Wear, Lea Seong, Septwolves and Judy Galaxy.

Spanish designer Nuria Monfort Juanda yesterday revealed a black, inner one-piece, featuring a decoration of small, white folding flowers.

"My idea was to find the link between pattern and Origami," she said.

Snow Lotus, a brand designed for people aged between 30 and 40, showed its upcoming collection of cashmeres last night at the Kerry Center.

Cardigans and coats were collar-less but featured an A-placket. White, black, dark-blue and brown were the only colors used to express the spirit of the show: "simple is best".

(China Daily, March 25, 2009)