Chinese designer debuts at Milan Fashion Week

Chinese couture designer Wang Peiyi made his debut at Milan Fall/Winter 2013-14 Fashion Week on Tuesday.

The Beijing-based stylist offered a collection inspired by Aurora Borealis in its beauty and unpredictable temperament to draw a mysterious and sensuous woman.

He adopted mainly black tones throughout the show, subtly complimented with hints of purple, with a sprinkling of white and bold use of high-end leather working techniques.

Wang took his new collection to the prestigious Italian fashion capital as the winner of the 2nd Mercedes-Benz China Young Fashion Award, standing out in 2012 among the many excellent designers participating in the Mercedes-Benz China Fashion Week.

"It was absolutely great that I could present my design on an international stage," Wang told Xinhua. It was a good start to present more connections and maybe consider opening a boutique of his own in Europe, he added.

The stylist highlighted that fashion plays a bridge role between cultures. "Western people know me as a Chinese designer. If they like me and like my design, I hope that they will know how good Chinese design can be," he said.

Wang has always favored the use of elegant fabrics and abundant decorations with beads, embroidery and other fine customized handwork, using a variety of luxurious materials.

He began his career in fashion after graduating from China's Central Academy of Fine Arts, and worked as a designer in several large apparel companies before starting his own label in 2005.

His creations, consisting of a wide range of evening gowns, cocktail and other couture dresses, were worn by high profile celebrities including Gong Li, Zhang Ziyi, Fan Bingbing and Cindy Crawford.

He received abundant recognitions both within and outside the fashion industry, being named in 2011 as one of the 25 Most Influential Chinese designers in Global Fashion by Forbes.

The show of a young Chinese designer indicated Milan Fashion Week's will to embrace the enormous emerging market of China, said Mario Boselli, the head of National Chamber for Italian Fashion, which sponsored the event in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz.

Scouting and support of new international talents as well as research and investment in creative minds and markets must be core values of the fashion system, he said.