Editor's note: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China.

An item in China Daily on Jan 25, 1983, showed representatives of fashion designer Pierre Cardin visiting the Beijing Renmin Clothing Factory.

In December 1978, Cardin became the first man to bring chic Western fashions to China when he strolled down a Beijing street clad in a stylish woolen overcoat, attracting attention from passers-by.

A year later, he presented the country's first fashion show, in Beijing, which was only open to invited guests from the industry.

It marked the beginning of the fashion industry in China.

Last year, the French brand held a fashion show on the Great Wall near Beijing to mark its 40th anniversary in the country.

In the past four decades, the Chinese fashion sector has developed rapidly and is now in tune with the rest of the world, with global brands rushing to stake their claims in the country, and a number of Chinese models hitting the runways.

In 2017, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show made its debut in Shanghai. Six Chinese models featured at the lingerie show.

Many luxury brands such as Chanel, Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton have been eyeing the country since the 1990s.

In recent years, Chinese designers have been making inroads in the world of fashion.

Couturier Guo Pei designed a bright yellow cape dress for rock star Rihanna, who wore it to a gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2015.

As China rises in the world, it is becoming increasingly common to see Chinese-inspired elements in high fashion.

To celebrate the Year of the Pig, many designer brands are promoting products with porcine themes.