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Designs on Global

eijing may soon be on the international style map if China Fashion Week continues to gain momentum, reports the South China Morning Post. The twice-yearly fashion event, which recently gave a preview of Autumn/Winter 2002-2003 collections, has received unprecedented media attention following China's admission to the World Trade Organization. Now the question on everyone's lips is who will emerge as the leading designer in one of the largest markets in the world.

Local talents such as Zhang Xiaohui, Mark Cheung and Liang Zi for Tangy are all in the running, sending sexy ensembles, ethnic-inspired separates and conceptual showpieces down the catwalk. Hong Kong-based bands Tian Art by Flora Cheong-Leen, Stemar -designed by Fan Xiaoyu -and Peter Lau also staged runway shows, as did overseas creators such as France's Marcel Marongiu and Italy's Maurizio Baldassari.

In all, 26 collections were under the spotlight over five days. The event also included local and international trend-seminars, and - this being fashion, after all � not a few fabulous parties.