Chinese designers plot a global course

While China might be better known for its fashion knock-offs than its catwalk knockouts, Chinese haute couture designers are out to change that.
Here at Hong Kong Fashion Week, designers are attempting to find carve out a space on international and hometown stages.
Shanghai designer Qi-Gang says his collections cater to Chinese tastes, which is proving to be good for business - his shops across the mainland nearly doubled and his label, Scfashion, took in $47 million U.S. dollars or 37 million Euros, last year.
SOUNDBITE: Qi-Gang, designer, saying (Mandarin):
"China's been the clothing factory of the world for some time. But as our economy develops, we are also becoming a country of famous brands, big brands. This trend is unstoppable."
UK-based knitwear designer, Craig Lawrence, says Western fashion capitals like London and Paris, are looking to be more global, and China is well poised to benefit.
SOUNDBITE: Craig Lawrence, designer, saying (English):
"Chinese designers are definitely marking their territory, they're putting their stamp down on the international platform because fashion extravaganza is such a mix of international people and there's so much press from around the world it helps create a buzz. So it's a good step forward to integrate all the designers a little bit more."
Fashion researcher Angelia Teo says, while local brands have the home advantage, international labels still dominate.
However, as Chinese affluence grows, a more sophisticated sense of style is emerging.
SOUNDBITE: Angelia Teo, content director, Asia-Pacific, wgsn, saying (English):
"A lot of the Chinese designers will find a lot of satisfaction and a lot of return if they base their businesses on a domestic standpoint simply because there is an appetite for it, and there is a huge demand for it. We start to see the Chinese become more nationalistic in the way they purchase items, so they want to buy something that's Chinese, they want to buy a design aesthetic they've grown up with and the Chinese designers are meeting that need."
Hong Kong Fashion Week will feature 1,900 exhibitors, from 26 countries and regions.
Alicia Powell, Reuters.