One of the most eagerly awaited shows at Beijing Fashion Week came from Amsterdam-based Chinese designer Hu Sheguang, best known for his wildly creative shoes sporting massive high heels.

Heels were still a feature of Hu’s collection this time around, but the artist also looked to his roots for his latest offering, choosing the traditional Chinese padded winter jacket and colourful prints once popular in China’s northeast for inspiration.

“Everyone is searching for the most sophisticated way to elevate Chinese fashion to the highest level, to do things with a particularly Chinese flair. In the past years, China has been hosting a growing number of fashion events, where you see many forward-looking designers who have their own ideas. Things are going in the right direction,” said the designer.

World-famous names like Louis Vuitton and Prada used to be the most sought-after brands by the country’s nouveau riche as instantly recognisable signs of wealth. But this label obsession