Evolution hits the runway

"Traditional Chinese culture carries profound historical significance; this is its core value and its irreplaceable essence," Chen continues. "Like any industry, fashion needs time to evolve. With thousands of years of cultural heritage as a foundation, we need to practice patience and focus on executing our present work with excellence."

This year's exhibition emphasizes practical, wearable fashion over ceremonial attire, featuring pieces that subtly reference aspects of Chinese heritage. Designer Ma Guai, for example, incorporates elements of Tibetan culture into her collections, while others draw inspiration from classical Chinese arts, such as calligraphy, embroidery, and traditional color theory.

"Contemporary Chinese fashion has entered an unprecedented phase where culture, industry, commerce, and global communication meaningfully converge," says Liu Shuhui, vice-president of Donghua University. "As a leading institution in China's textile and apparel industry, Donghua University remains committed to serving national strategies, industry development, and local construction."

Chen Dapeng, vice-president of the China National Textile and Apparel Council and president of the China National Garment Association, provides industry perspective: "While China has built one of the world's largest apparel industries and leads in technological innovation, we still face gaps in cultural creativity.