Song, who spent one month in Milan preparing for the Shanghai Fashion Day, also has high hopes for the potential of future collaboration between the two cities.

"Both the West and us are learning from each other and upgrading. Through the exchanges between Shanghai and Milan, we expect to stand at a new starting point and find a new way to promote the communication and exchanges of cultures in our current contexts," said Song.

Bian Xiangyang, vice-chairman of the China Fashion Association and director of the Shanghai Promotion Center for City of Fashion, indicated that the complementary cooperation between Shanghai and Milan could "empower" each other.