A model wears an outfit designed by Zhang Xuanying. [Photo/jiaxingren.com]

The Zhejiang division of the Discovered China Designers and Models Competition, part of New York Fashion Week, closed its registration on July 10. Among the 260 contestants, nine are from Jiaxing.

New York Fashion Week, established in 1943, is one of the world's top four fashion weeks. This year, it introduced a new segment to highlight emerging designers and models. The segment includes the "Splendid China – Searching for Oriental Beauty" series, featuring a special Chinese exhibition and fashion show to showcase Chinese designs and brands.

Jiaxing's contestants include independent designers, professional models, and fashion students. Zhang Xuanying, a teacher and designer at Jiaxing Vocational College, is among them. She has prepared a series of five outfits titled "Curating Memories", inspired by the concept of raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease. Her designs use pure silk, ancient hanfu-style cutting techniques, and traditional Chinese paper-cutting motifs.

The Zhejiang division committee will select finalists based on their skills, experience, and potential. Finalists will gather in Zicheng, Jiaxing on July 28 for the final performance, aiming for national and global stages. The event marks a significant collaboration between New York Fashion Week and the Chinese fashion industry, showcasing Jiaxing's charm to the world.