Selling the stars of tomorrow

By banking on the growing domestic popularity of Chinese designers, overseas-based department and multi-brand stores are building a new platform for local talents who, despite their rising fame, are still struggling to expand their businesses.

"At the moment, Galeries Lafayette is the only department store (in Beijing) selling my work," said Liu Qingyang, a Beijing-based designer, who studied at London's Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design. "I previously approached a local, high-end store, but was bluntly told that they didn't have any room for a newcomer."

The rejection came despite the fact that Liu, who often goes under her English name Christine, can count herself as one of the most promising, high-profile young Chinese designers, and is rapidly achieving star status thanks to extensive media coverage.