Chinese fashion struts on global stage

"In the design of the outfits, I used ostrich feathers to embody the delicate feeling of white porcelain," Meng says, adding that the clothing's curves are inspired by porcelain vases.

Besides Blanc de Chine, Meng also drew inspiration from Quanzhou's architecture, as 22 sites around the city were included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site listing.

"I extracted their distinctive architectural silhouettes and combined them with clothing silhouettes in minimalist forms that complement architectural and floral patterns," he says.

As a result of the show, the designer, who was born in Shanxi province in 1991, has become interested in rediscovering the glamour of his own hometown's heritage buildings.

"There are many elements in these old structures, like the colors and patterns in the murals, to tap into. The temples and caves were not interesting to me as a boy, but now I can appreciate the timeless aesthetics behind them," Meng says.

Graduating from the Tiangong University in Tianjin in 2014, the fashion and apparel design major worked at a studio in Beijing and later established his own brand, Ksiezyc.

"It is a process of exploring myself, my style through my design and brand," he says, adding that he is still trying to find his own way of expressing himself. From the bold looks of his early designs, Meng has turned to a softer aesthetic that is more layered.

"Since the late 1970s, following reform and opening-up, I think that most Chinese were influenced by the Western lifestyles and development, and we were eager to learn. Now as China demonstrates the growing significance of the Chinese fashion market on a global scale, designers at home and abroad are expanding their exploration of things from Asia," Meng adds.