Chinese designer Guo Pei's "Elysium" series displayed during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In a dark hall, a series of exquisite dresses shine with sparkling embroideries and golden colors.

They are all from well-known Chinese designer Guo Pei, who brought her "Elysium" series to celebrate the settlement of the Asian Couture Federation (ACF) in Miyun district in Beijing on June 2.

Chinese designer Guo Pei's "Elysium" series displayed during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"I was inspired by traditional Chinese paper flower and designed this dress," Guo said at the exhibition, showing a navy colored dress decorated with small blue beads.

As an ACF member who has become famous on the international stage, Guo also cares about the development of China's haute couture.

The settlement of ACF in China may fulfill the designer's hope in the future.

ACF founding president Frank Cintamani addressed the settlement ceremony in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Cross-culture talk, more opportunities

"Guo Pei's 'Elysium' series is the very demonstration of beautiful Chinese art. I am very delighted to get the support from Chinese government to the ACF. Our settlement in China is a milestone in the history of the federation," ACF founding president Frank Cintamani addressed the settlement ceremony.

He said China has a long history in the field of art. For thousands of years, Chinese people have provided a great contribution to the international art development through their polished craftsmanship and creativeness.

Chinese designer Guo Pei's "Elysium" series displayed during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

According to him, the settlement of the ACF in China will boost a series of cooperative projects. The cooperation will also help to bring up more Chinese haute couture designers.

Emily Hwang, ACF vice-president, said the federation has rich experiences in the cooperation with their global partners and other fashion communities. The communication of ACF member designers is a cross-culture talk, which have created more opportunities.

Two models present designs by Japanese designer Yumi Katsura during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A show of 40 designs from an ACF member designer Yumi Katsura was featured at the settlement ceremony. The 86-year-old Katsura, as one of the most celebrated Japanese couture designers, is well-known for her wedding dresses.

Her new designs for 2018, with art-infused patterns and tailored lines, are inspired by a genius Japanese artist Hokusai Katsushika.

Chinese designer Guo Pei's "Elysium" series displayed during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Rise of Chinese fashion

As 2018 marks the 40th year of China's reform and opening-up, China's fashion industry has seen a great rise in the past four decades.

Apart from high fashion, or haute couture, more young Chinese designers have creative works that combine traditional culture and modern art, including Angel Chen, Chen Peng and Zhang Huishan.

They and their works appear more often on the international runway, about 45 Chinese designers have shown their works in the four major fashion weeks.

Chinese designer Guo Pei's "Elysium" series displayed during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

They also get much support from the motherland where they find their success starting easier than before, as more of them have returned to home after studying abroad.

For example, during this year's Shanghai Fashion Week, held March 28 to April 3, a section named Labelhood provided a platform for young Chinese designers to show their talent.

Chinese designer Guo Pei's "Elysium" series displayed during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Most of these designers are from the post-1990 and post-2000 generations. Rather than labeling themselves as "international designers", they prefer to emphasize their Chinese cultural background.

These young talents aim to create works based on their own taste and ideas, instead of shadowing foreign designers and brands.

Designer Guo Pei introduces her works to Governor of the Miyun District Pan Linzhu during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Support from Miyun

Beijing, as another cradle of Chinese fashion talents, also target the fashion industry to carry forward the traditional Chinese culture.

In the city's general plan for 2016-2030, Beijing is designed to be a high-level cultural center based on rich Chinese cultural heritages. Miyun, where the ACF is based, has set up a popular holiday destination, Gubei Water Town, which smartly combines folk culture and natural beauty.

"China has deeper and wider communication with the world in the past forty years. With the coming of the ACF to Miyun, Chinese designers can better communicate with the international fashion industry while carrying forward its culture. Miyun will help the ACF to bridge Chinese fashion talents with international designers," Governor of the Miyun District Pan Linzhu said at the ceremony.

A model presents a design by Japanese designer Yumi Katsura during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Two models present designs by Japanese designer Yumi Katsura during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A model presents a design by Japanese designer Yumi Katsura during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A model presents a design by Japanese designer Yumi Katsura during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A model presents a design by Japanese designer Yumi Katsura during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Japanese designer Yumi Katsura (middle), ACF Founding President Frank Cintamani (left), ACF Vice-President Emily Hwang (right) and models pose for a photo during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Governor of the Miyun District Pan Linzhu, designers and guests pose for a photo  during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Japanese designer Yumi Katsura (middle), ACF Founding President Frank Cintamani (right), and ACF Vice-President Emily Hwang pose for a photo during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

ACF leaders and designers pose for a photo during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Guests at the runway of Yumi Katsura's designs during the settlement ceremony of the ACF in Beijing, June 2, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]