Asian designers turning Paris fashion global30 Sep, 2007, 1800 hrsPARIS: Paris has long been the world''s undisputed
fashion capital but now it truly is going global, with ever more Asian
designers opting to show here to grab a bigger share of the
international market.
"The world is getting smaller," says China''s Frankie Xie of the
Beijing-based Jefen label, in his second season in the ready-to-wear
shows.
He has moved to Paris "because I think is a very good place to promote
our brand, not just for the Chinese but also for the international
market."
South Korea''s Lie Sang Bong says he is encouraged by the inroads Asian designers are now making on the world fashion scene.Xie dedicated his show to the upcoming Beijing Olympics. "I do a lot of sport and many of my friends do sport. China''s swift economic development means many more people are wanting to play sports. Because of the Olympics I hope in the next year that sports clothing will develop on the international market." The overall look was sportily chic: a plethora of
cropped leggings, striped ankle socks, hoodies and shiny satin
tracksuit tops, and jumpsuits in turquoise, lemon and lime, with witty
accessories like matching water bottles.
For outside, he showed anoraks, trenchcoats and hooded overalls with drawstrings in a crinkled, glazed fabric.
While there was nothing Chinese about the Jefen collection, Lie Sang
Bong was not afraid to show his Korean roots, whether in his delicate
prints of trees and blossoms transferred by laser onto silk chiffon and
satin gowns, or in the calligraphy only just discernible on an
anthracite sequinned jacket.
His inspiration for the collection was the 1902s Bauhaus era, so all
his models wore tiny black Juliet caps and many of the designs were
sculptural, almost architectural in concept.
Cocktail frocks assembled from varying sizes of discs in stiffened silk
which trembled as the models walked were a feat, if somewhat Michelin
man in effect.