Name: Chun Xiao

Occupation: model

"I'm a nostalgic person and I seldom throw away any of my old clothing. On the other hand, I hate always sticking to the same style. That's why I redesign my old clothing," says Beijing native Chun Xiao. Though only in her early twenties, Chun is already one of China's top models and has won numerous awards in her five-year modeling career. She certainly has a unique style, usually based on outfits she's made herself, such as a faux leopard fur jacket, matched with some eye-catching jewelry. Her favorite designer is Vivienne Westwood, an icon of the fashion scene that emerged from punk music. "But I wouldn't confine myself to a particular style," says Chun. "My style varies according to my mood: sometimes I dress sexy and feminine, sometimes flamboyant, sometimes casual."

Chun's sense of fashion was first inspired by her sister's wardrobe when she was in elementary school. "My sister was my first fashion idol. I tried on her clothes when she wasn't home." Now, as a model who conveys new trends to the public, Chun avoids wearing the usual brand-name clothing in her spare time, partly as an escape from her day job. Chun's dream is to set up her own fashion label.

When asked for her impressions of Beijing's fashion scene, Chun says it's not that highly developed. "But Beijing girls do have good fashion sense," she insists.

(That's Beijing April 27, 2006)