Mary Ma-rvelous

By Xiao Changyan (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-08 14:11

Simple, sexual, luxurious ... combining African and Chinese elements, the latest haute couture collection of designer Mary Ma has been catwalked in Beijing.

Mary Ma is China's very first star fashion designer. With a reputation as one of the most beautiful and graceful women in China, she has had a more diverse career than many of her peers.

From 1990 to 1993, she was a rower and after beginning her modeling career she was China's top model in 1998 and 1999. "But it's impossible to be a model for a long period of time," Ma says.

She then entered Dong Hua University to learn fashion design and morphed into one of China's fashion industry's most influential business leaders. Her fashion is a favorite with celebrities, such as David Beckham and Quincy Jones.

Ma defines her latest fashion concept as encouraging a free, healthy, sunny and active appearance. After traveling around the world and experiencing various local fashions, Ma summarizes the gap between China and overseas countries as a cultural difference. "Westerners value their culture and tend to show it by outward appearances," she says.

"Fashion in China will spread well when people calm down and relax."

(China Daily 12/06/2008 page6)