Drama dominates at China Fashion Week

Designers Xiong Ying, Xia Yiqi and BonQin Liang serve up bold, exuberant collections for autumn / winter 2021

A dramatic look from the Heaven Gaia collection by Chinese designer Xiong Ying. Getty Images.

A model on horseback during the Heaven Gaia show by Chinese designer Xiong Ying. Getty Images

Models display creations for the Hempel Award, the 29th China International Young Fashion Designers Contest, during China Fashion Week. AFP

A look from the Leaf Xia Colorwonderland collection by Xia Yiqi. AFP

The Leaf Xia Colorwonderland collection by Xia Yiq. AFP

A look from the Heaven Gaia collection by Xiong Ying. AFP

A look from the Heaven Gaia collection by Xiong Ying. AFP

A look from the Rongwujie collection by Xiao Hua, presented during China Fashion Week. AFP

A creation from the Esa Liang collection by Liang Bingqin. AFP

A creation from the Esa Liang collection by Liang Bingqin. AFP

A creation for the Hempel Award, the 29th China International Young Fashion Designers Contest, during China Fashion Week. AFP

A creation for the Hempel Award, the 29th China International Young Fashion Designers Contest, during China Fashion Week. AFP

A creation for the Hempel Award, the 29th China International Young Fashion Designers Contest, during China Fashion Week in Beijing. AFP

A creation for the Hempel Award, the 29th China International Young Fashion Designers Contest, during China Fashion Week. AFP

A model displays a look from the MoHanYu collection by Lan Tian during China Fashion Week. AFP

A model displays a look from the MoHanYu collection by Lan Tian during China Fashion Week. AFP

A model displays a creation from the Leaf Xia Colorwonderland collection by Xia Yiqi during China Fashion Week. AFP

A model prepares backstage before the Heaven Gaia collection show by Chinese designer Xiong Ying on day two of China Fashion Week. Getty Images

Models walk the runway during the Heaven Gaia collection show by Chinese designer Xiong Ying. Getty Images

Billowing capes and tailored trousers at the Heaven Gaia collection show by Chinese designer Xiong Ying. Getty Images

Models walk the runway during the Esa Liang show by Chinese designer BingQin Liang on day two of China Fashion Week. Getty Images

Models backstage before the Esa Liang collection show by Chinese designer BingQin Liang. Getty Images

A model displays a creation from the Heaven Gaia collection by Xiong Ying. AFP

A creation from the Heaven Gaia collection by Xiong Ying. AFP

Designer Xiong Ying's Heaven Gaia collection at China Fashion Week, which runs until Wednesday perhaps best encapsulates the drama and exuberance being shown by China's designers this season.

Ying’s collection featured delicate white gowns gently overlaid with embroidered flowers, earrings that extended down to the waist and dramatic caped ensembles that wouldn’t look out of place in a fairytale.

One model even made her way down the runway astride a giant horse, taking the idea of the modern-day warrior woman to new levels. Another stepped out swamped in voluminous ruffles of green, paired with a dramatic headpiece fit for royalty.

A model rides a horse down the runway during the Heaven Gaia show by designer Xiong Ying. Getty Images

The Leaf Xia Colourworld collection by designer Xia Yiqi offered a heady, off-kilter kaleidoscope of exuberant colour, with oversized 3D floral forms appliqued on to voluminous bomber jackets and chunky beanie hats.

The contestants in the Hempel Award, the 29th China International Young Fashion Designers Contest, served up models ensconced in transparent, space suit-inspired head caps, for the ultimate exercise in social distancing, and experimented with bold layering and patterns.

For the Esa Liang show, designer BonQin Liang presented ultra feminine dresses in cheery shades of yellow, paired with heavy work boots, and a boxy red jacket and shorts combo that was utilitarian and hard-edged in both its cut and styling. These were clothes made for women on a mission.