Designers awarded at Fashion Week

Talented designers in the Chinese fashion industry received the country's top honors at the China Fashion Week annual award ceremony in Beijing on Friday evening.

Zeng Fengfei won the top honor, the Jinding Award. 

The 48-year-old designer said the award carries weight in China's fashion circles, and receiving it came as a surprise to him.

"I am very pleased that my 10-year efforts led me this far. Over the next decade, I will continue to work for greater global recognition of Chinese fashion labels," Zeng said. 

Wang Yutao was awarded best designer for men'swear, and Liu Wei was named the best designer for women's clothing.

Wang, 38, established his label, Beautyberry, in 2005, claimed the Jinding Award last year.

His designs this year featured diamond patterns ma,de up of matches, embodying nostalgia over childhood memories. His excellent choices of fabric and color fit well with overall elegant and reserved style, said Yang Qian, one of the judges.

In an interview with China Daily last week, Wang said he is the first local menswear designer who has made his name on the world's runway.

And he is not bragging. In April, he brought his show to Berlin Fashion Week, earning a good reputation. 

He said he started locally, which was not a bad thing. It gave him space to practise in each process of the fashion business, not only in design, but also marketing, running shows, hiring models and shooting advertising campaigns.

He encouraged young designers to use the exposure from China Fashion Week.

"The China Fashion Week is a good platform for many young designers to start their dreams. It is very professional, and it shows designers' personalities and characteristics," he said.

While blending the East and West has become increasingly popular among designers, Liu stood out using Chinese paper-cutting, bright colors and high-tech fabrics, said Pan Yong, another judge for the competition.

Established in 1997, China Fashion Week is held twice a year in Beijing and is a major platform for fashion design and trend shows in China.Talented designers in the Chinese fashion industry received the country's top honors at the China Fashion Week annual award ceremony in Beijing on Friday evening.

Zeng Fengfei won the top honor, the Jinding Award.