Although it doesn't get anywhere near the same degree of exposure as "Made in China", "Created in China" is fast becoming the phrase of choice for Beijing trendsetters.

Testifying to this change was the recent 2010 Fall/Winter Fashion Collaboration Trunk Show on Oct 19, open to select guests at Yi House Hotel in Beijing's 798 Art Zone.

The fashion collaboration, Falling for You, displayed the creations of three independent international designers: South Korean hat and clutch bag designer Currie Lee from D-Sata Bags, Chinese fashion designer Liu Lu from Lu1228 Fashion, and Spanish jewelry designer Paloma Sanchez.

Together, they teamed up to make 36 complete female outfits for China's metropolitan elite.

Rather than mix-and-match existing products, the designers started from scratch and scoured the world for exclusive materials to prompt inspiration.

Though they differed in areas of expertise, they followed a shared belief that a woman "should be perfect from head to foot", according to Liu.

As boutique neighbors at Nali Patio, a Spanish-styled mini mall that is sandwiched between the Village and 3.3 Fashion Mall, the women already knew each other quite well.

"Designers have strong personalities and it is often difficult for them to work together," Liu said.

Liu said they decided to collaborate because they were fans of each other's work, but the process was not always smooth.

"We had a lot of disagreements and sometimes we got so angry that we wouldn't talk any more," she added.

However, Liu noted that many of the quarrels turned out to be valuable experiences.

When once deciding on the color of a clutch bag to go with a golden outfit, Lee suggested blue. Liu was instinctively against the color but Sanchez persuaded her to try.

"The result was stunning. Without Currie and Paloma, I would never have thought of putting gold and blue together," Liu said.

"I still don't know the magic to this day, but I feel greatly inspired."

Liu was also excited when she recalled the quintessential ideas behind their design.

"We pursued the concept of luxury, but not necessarily being expensive," she said.

"It produced a powerful and irresistible feminine charm and promoted a firm attitude toward life - to pursue only the best."

Most of Lee's customers are women already equipped with the much-coveted Louis Vitton, Prada and Gucci handbags, but still seeking exclusive goods to distinguish themselves from others at parties. This is why her clutch bags, made from special materials like onion skins and corn, have such success.

"They are all wealthy and have unique tastes, so they don't want their bags to be instantly recognizable," Lee said.

A similar phenomenon is seen with Sanchez's clients. Trendsetters come to her shop to have jewelry made to order from materials found by the designer from remote corners of the world, according to Sanchez.

"In the past, Chinese customers purchased only ubiquitous brands," Liu said.

"Now though, they seek more obscure and exclusive pieces from boutiques and independent designers."

Looking into the future, all three designers forecast that China will become a Mecca for fashion as greater numbers of international designers arrive to compliment Chinese artists who already have global training.

Liu added that Beijing is home to a wide range of fashion designers who have garnered respect on the international arena over recent years.

She said they all conceptualize locally but manufacture overseas, which she believes is the future of contemporary Chinese fashion.

China Daily

(China Daily 10/28/2010)