Touches of grace

The 2017 spring/summer collection by Grace Chen interprets the beauty of love with evening dresses, cocktail dresses and capes. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The Western cutting is complemented with Chinese craftsmanship like embroidery of the Miao ethnic group. Miao ethnic silver jewelry is reinterpreted into bold necklaces.

The ethnic craftswomen were invited to display their skills alongside the fashion show.

Tassels and knitting embroidery, a longtime fixture in Chen's design, continue to be a highlight, as she draws inspiration from the art of Chinese calligraphy.

This time, Chen has also adopted a more vibrant palette, with colors like royal blue and emerald green alongside staples like white, red and black.

"The woman that I envision in my design has not only beauty and femininity, but also a kind of inner power," she says.

Chen says she designs for real women, and it has been a tradition for her to use real women in the shows. Women of all ages strut down the runway amid professional models, interpreting the characteristics of the dresses.