With the unveiling of the new uniforms for the Beijing Olympic torchbearers, BOCOG staff, technical officials and volunteers, a veritable fashion show will take place over the summer months.

Uniform designers from the Beijing Institute of Clothing Technology expect that the combination of fashion and sports will blossom into a new research area for them, and that sports fashion may become a new industry in China.

"Through the design process for the Beijing Olympic uniforms, we have accumulated lots of valuable experience of working at a grand sports event," said He Yang, one of the main designers and also an associate professor at the institute.

"Now sports marketing is prospering in China and lots of sports stars here are also the darlings of local fashion circles. Our institute will do some research on how to combine sports with fashion design, and we hope this will become a new industry in China." she added.

From December 2005, He's group has been working on the design of the uniform for BOCOG staff, Beijing Olympic technical officials and volunteers. Their design, featuring lucky clouds, one of the key elements in the image of the Beijing Games, was applauded by the judging panel and was selected as the final uniform by Games organizers.

The team was also invited to design the uniforms for the torch relay.

"As required by the International Olympic Committee and BOCOG, the main color for the torchbearers' uniforms should be white, which represents peace and purity, so we should add as few images to this as possible," said He.

"At the same time, we should also ensure the image of the phoenix, which looks like an Olympic flame and symbolizes good luck and peace in Chinese culture, is complete. So we decided to put the image of the lucky bird on one of the shoulders."

The front of the uniform features the symbol of a phoenix printed on the upper left side. The Olympic Rings and "Beijing 2008" are printed on the back.

The uniform has short sleeves and a streamlined pattern on one side that gives the impression of a phoenix about to fly.

"I hope the uniforms will flow at the Games, and we would also like to share our experience of producing designs for such a large event," He added.