DIPLOMATIC DEBUT: Peng Liyuan (right) waves to people alongside her husband President Xi Jinping at an airport in Moscow on March 22 (XINHUA)

On March 22, the Chinese president's plane landed in Moscow. When the cabin door opened, people saw Xi Jinping standing shoulder to shoulder with his wife Peng Liyuan, wearing a dark navy overcoat and a light turquoise silk scarf with a matching handbag. Slowly descending the stairs with President Xi, the new first lady immediately became the center of much attention.

In the following days, Peng made a splash with her graceful manner and fashionable outfits. Images of her wearing various elegant outfits to attend a series of diplomatic ceremonies in Russia, Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of Congo have spread widely on the Internet, winning her praise for such a low-key yet elegant style.

She was once again in the spotlight because of her kindly demeanor and elegant style at the Boao Forum for Asia 2013 in April.

Peng, 50, has been a household name in China since the 1980s when she first reached fame as a vocalist.

In 1980, she graduated from Shandong College of Art, where she enrolled at age 14, and was recruited by a People's Liberation Army troupe as a singer.

Over the following decades, Peng has performed for soldiers and the public across China. Locals have grown especially accustomed to watching her sing folk songs and appear in TV dramas during each Spring Festival Gala held by China Central Television.

Furthermore, Peng is also well known for contributing to social causes, especially public health. She was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS by the World Health Organization on June 3, 2011. In recent years, Peng has seldom performed, though her public service advertisement combating HIV/AIDS remains a TV staple.

In the eyes of the Chinese public, Peng sets a good example for celebrities.

Despite being a widely known star and the wife of a senior Chinese official, she has maintained a low-profile and an image of simplicity.

On Sina Weibo, China's twitter-like social media network, Internet users have been buzzing over Peng's style since she took center stage alongside her husband. People have shown much interest in what brands Peng wore and who designed her clothes. Online, copies of her overcoat, handbag, scarf and shoes have all sold out.

Peng was additionally honored for choosing local brands over foreign luxury items. For example, some of her dresses were made by Exception de Mixmind—a high-end Chinese brand based in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province. Several days ago, the Guangzhou Administration of Quality and Technology Supervision confirmed that some of Peng's clothes were custom-made by Ma Ke, chief designer of Exception de Mixmind.

CHINESE CHARACTERISTICS: Peng Liyuan in Pretoria on March 26, 2013, during a state visit to South Africa

Both the brand is not well-known in China. By contrast, Chinese consumers are fond of buying foreign luxury brands, such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Nevertheless, Peng's choice boosted local fashion industry while Ma became an overnight success for her excellent designs.

Ma was born in Changchun, capital city of northeast China's Jilin Province in 1971. In 1992, she graduated from Suzhou Institute of Silk Textile Technology.

"This is my first time designing clothes for the wife of a national leader," Ma told Lifeweek.

"Peng always pays attention to environmental protection and public services, in line with my own ethos," she noted. "I considered the designs based on her personality and body shape instead of on her identity as first lady. I wanted to present the image of an independent woman with love and wisdom."

Many have commented that China's national spirit and traditions were well-represented in Peng's style. On this topic, Ma said, "The costume is one of the most important Chinese trademarks, along with music, literature, painting and calligraphy."

Speaking of beauty, she said, "People like to pursue fashion, but few understand the concept of true beauty, which I believe should be timeless."

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