When China's reform and opening-up drive commenced 40 years ago, its people adopted a simple and unified dressing style. Clothes were dominated by blue, black and gray.

In the 1980s, the Chinese started to take an interest in fashion. But not knowing what to wear, it was common to imitate costumes from popular films by requesting a tailor to produce an exact replica.

As the economy developed and foreign trade prospered in the 1990s, people had access to a wider variety of clothes to choose from as both foreign and domestic brands peppered the market. The increase in income also stimulated consumption. A lot of fashion magazines were therefore started to meet demands of consumers with a better sense of fashion.

Since 2000, the garment industry in China has boomed with endless options available to consumers.

Fashion trends in China have begun to keep pace with the world as the Chinese economy becomes more integrated with the world's. The Chinese have become more confident as they choose clothes, dressing according to their own preferences rather than blindly following others.

Sales channels for clothes have also diversified from wholesale markets and department stores to online shops.

Encouragingly, China's fashion industry is starting to exert influence on the global stage. Historically, Chinese designers attended overseas fashion shows to catch the latest trends and bring them back to China. Today, international events have become popular platforms for Chinese culture as designers are incorporating traditional Chinese elements into their products.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article published in Oriental Outlook on November 1)