Mei Zhan, organizer of the first edition of the Sino-French Fashion and Culture Festival

2023-10-02 13:55:15

Organized during Paris Fashion Week, the Sino-French Fashion and Culture Festival offers fashion shows and presentations as well as conferences at the China Cultural Center in Paris, from October 2 to 8, 2023.

The first edition of Sino-French fashion and culture festival is held at the China Cultural Center in Paris from October 2 to 8, 2023. Its aim is to create a link between Chinese and French fashion culture by building a platform for exchange between Sino-French fashion brands. A prelude to the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of relations between France and China, in 2024.

The festival offers fashion shows – Palais du Prince Kung and Laurence Xu, D. Martina Queen, Nunu & Nono, Gong Qing Cheng and ODI, Arianne Theunissen -, three presentations – Koradior, Raxxy and Loolayy – as well as conferences between Chinese designers and French, events open to all by reservation. The common thread: showing the ingenuity of traditional techniques to allow the world to perceive the “elegant and refined living” of Chinese tradition.

Inaugural fashion show of the Sino-French Fashion and Culture Festival, at the China Cultural Center in Paris, September 27, 2023 (DU SHEN)

We met Mei Zhan, the organizer of the event on September 27, just before the inaugural fashion show revealing thirty-five haute couture creations signed by international fashion designer Laurence Xu and inspired by Prince Gong’s Palace. This parade took place in the Mendès-Joue mansion which houses the Chinese Cultural Center of Paris.

Franceinfo culture: the first edition of the Festival was launched with a parade of 35 haute couture creations by designer Laurence Xu
Mei Zhan: Yes, for the first edition of the Chinese-French Culture Fashion Festival we made this choice. In France, you have Versailles, we in China, we have the Palace of Prince Gong located near Beijing. This Prince who became Emperor is at the origin of the luxury of our country, of this haute couture heritage. It was his museum that inspired the designer who is very well known in China but already showed in France before Covid. This very elegant fashion show requires hours of work to create each piece.

Laurence Xu used elements of traditional culture such as the gardens and colorful paintings of Prince Gong Palace. He was inspired by our heritage, by ancient creations: for some designs, he used gold for exquisite brocade fabrics with Miao and Su embroidery techniques, while using western cuts to highlight the traditional craft skills.

Inaugural fashion show of the Sino-French Fashion and Culture Festival, at the China Cultural Center in Paris, September 27, 2023 (DU SHEN)

How many parades are organized during the Festival?
Nine fashion shows, three presentations and two conferences are planned. The brands offer both ready-to-wear and avant-garde fashion.

How was the selection of creators made?
They were selected according to several criteria: already, they had to have a cultural heritage but also an avant-garde fashion inspiration to present the development of our country: there is not just an old image of the China, there is also the future. It’s a mix between traditional, avant-garde and timeless.

Inaugural fashion show of the Sino-French Fashion and Culture Festival, at the China Cultural Center in Paris, September 27, 2023 (DU SHEN)

Is this presence in Paris a first for these creators? They usually show during Fashion Week in China?
Yes, Paris is a first for some, although others have already paraded in Europe. In China, we also have both ready-to-wear and haute couture shows. For example, Shanghai Fashion Week presents around a hundred brands. It is held one week after Paris Fashion Week [du 8 au 16 octobre 2023]. This Parisian festival is an easy way to present our brands in France.

How to describe Chinese fashion?
We have a lot of commercial brands that influence a lot of people. But there are also many avant-garde designers: some of them studied abroad – in France, Milan, London and Los Angeles – then returned to create their own brands in China. In these two countries, the studies are different: Chinese schools offer very comprehensive training, thanks to which creators can then do design and sewing. They are multifunctional!

Creations by Raxxy, one of the designers presented at the Sino-French Fashion and Culture Festival at the China Cultural Center in Paris, September 27, 2023 (Corinne Jeammet)

This season Paris also hosted the Guangzhou Fashion Incubator and China Select at the Tranoi show. Are Chinese designers taking advantage of Paris Fashion Week to show off their know-how?
Yes quite. Previously it was more difficult, today it is easier. Here, I want to create a bridge between China and France!

Sino-French fashion and culture festival from October 2 to 8, 2023 at the China Cultural Center: 1, boulevard de la Tour-Maubourg, Paris 7.

Sino-French fashion and culture festival, 2023 program (DR)