Athletics Ascendant

Witness the rise of Li-Ning as it skyrockets in the world of sports fashion

It's not just for sport anymore. Last season at the New York and Paris Fashion Weeks, Chinese sportswear brand Li-Ning unveiled athleisure-influenced collections, marking its impressive foray into the high-fashion industry. And with an innate ability to influence fashion trends, supermodel Bella Hadid donned a white T-shirt with an eye-catching picture of the company's eponymous founder in Paris. "We do not have any cooperation with her; she just likes our product and feels happy to wear it," says Hong Yuru, the vice-president of Li-Ning.

Founded in 1990 by Li Ning, the successful businessman and famed gymnastics world champion (who won six Olympic medals), this Beijing-based brand has enjoyed a leading role in the Chinese sports field for many years.