The opening show of the China 2006 Autumn/Winter Fashion Week yesterday turned into a spectacular "wedding ceremony" featuring a host of charming "brides" decked out in a range of different styles.

With this year's theme being "Bottom Drawer for the Brides," the runway show presented collections by 33 finalists from 22 countries competing for the 14th Hempel Awards the China International Fashion Contest for Young Designers.

Italian designer Christiana Lapi won the Golden Hempel Award for her collection "Black Tie, White, Tie." Lapi's five black-and-white suits, which effortlessly combine feminine and masculine styles, impressed the jury and set her apart from the red or white wedding dresses offered by most other finalists.

Chinese designer Xu Rui's "Phoenix" collection won the Silver Hempel Award as well as the Best Design Sketch and Best Craftsmanship awards.

Following the Hempel Awards, Han Song from South Korea showed his latest haute couture collection and Beijing University of Clothing Technology presented a runway show featuring the outstanding work of its graduates.

More than 120 veteran and up-and-coming designers from 24 countries and regions and some 25 Chinese and international brands will showcase their latest collections over the next seven days at this bi-annual fashion event organized by China Fashion Association.

"Since we started the China Fashion Week in 1997, it has reflected the fast development of China's fashion industry. While the fashion week provides domestic designers and companies with great opportunities to communicate with overseas counterparts, it is also a chance to introduce Chinese designers, brands and markets to the world," China Fashion Association President Wang Qing told China Daily.

(China Daily March 27, 2006)