The 14th China International Clothing and Accessories Fair is underway at the China International Exhibition Center in Beijing. This year's fair differs from those of previous years in that it is divided into two sessions, respectively for men's wear and women's wear. It shows fashion is no longer exclusive to women. And follow our reporter Na Lan to find out what's trendy for men the coming season.
   
When talking about clothing fairs, people naturally think about flowery clothing for women. But the recent fashion fairs in the fashion capitals around the world has sent us the message that men's ready-to-wear, long seen by the industry as playing second fiddle to women's fashion, is now an integral part of the whole fashion world with its importance on the rise.
   
The ongoing China International Clothing and Accessories Fair is no exception. And organizers set one session from last Sunday to Tuesday exclusively for exhibiting men's wear and casual wear. The display includes all men's wear from formal suits to sports wear. And to attract visitors, exhibitors are using varied forms of promotion and some even have brought the catwalks into the exhibition hall. Here is one exhibitor.
   
"Now not only women like to dress up fashionably. Men also need fashion. The demand for different clothing to match different tastes and characters is increasing greatly. I think the market is promising."

If your vision on men's wear is still limited to suits, shirts, black, blue and grey, you are out-of-date or at least conservative. On a tour of the booths in the center, you'll find multiple colors are the highlight of men's fashion this season and bright colors that were once used only in women's wear are also appearing in men's clothing. The style also sees some change, that is to add lively details to formal wear and to combine the elements of both formal and casual wear in one design so that one outfit can be suitable for different occasions.

Liu Yang, one of China's top men's wear designers discusses the trends in men's wear this year.
   
"The era to be individualized has come. Men also want to display their different characters through wearing clothing with different styles. We are trying to use various colors in clothing to cater for the "New Men" and "New White Collar" image, their life-style and their personalities."

The various colors and new designs applied in men's wear displayed in this clothing fair has impressed a lot of people. Women and men are both in pursuit of sharp appearances. So why not pick up the new fashion for yourself, a change in style might give men under heavy pressure a shift in mood, to be more relaxed.

(CRI March 30, 2005)