During a recession, people usually spend less on luxury goods such as trendy clothes. So the economic slowdown may be a catalyst for more and more Chinese people to set their sights on home grown fashion designers.

Luo Zheng and models

In fact, some Chinese fashion designers have been busy making their mark and building their reputations in the international fashion scene this year. Among them is designer Luo Zheng. She was the first Chinese artist to bring a Chinese dress to the stage during New York Fashion Week.

At the New York Fashion Week last autumn, Luo Zheng's latest collection entitled "Beauty Blossoms" struck a pose before fashion buyers and critics from around the world. The dresses impressed the viewers with their bright colors, and ethereal oriental flavor. The designer made bold use of images of flowers in bloom. She also employed other Chinese elements like Chinese silk, embroidery, ink and brushwork.

The use of many different components gave her collection a unique, floral feel.

Luo Zheng said, "I like items which are lively, such as things from nature. I'm very sensitive to things that appear in sentimental writings such as wind, flowers, snow and the moon. Flowers are like the life cycle of a person, they bud, they bloom, and then wither. There's a saying; a flower is a world. It reminds me of youth, nice things, love, and courage. These things are fleeting. So I think we should cherish them just like we cherish a flower when it blossoms. I hope this collection can further my idea."