Some 40 fashion designers and 150 new designers will showcase more than 60 new collections during the week.

However, compared with last year, fewer overseas brands are displaying collections. The decline comes in the wake of the world financial market crash.

Wang Qing, Chairman of China Fashion Desingers' Assoc., said, "In past events the shows staged by overseas brands and designers accounted for 20% of the program. This year that percentage has declined to only 5-6%. "

However, organizers also say an increasing number of up and coming Chinese designers make up for the shrinking overseas representation.