On the evening of October 26, the “Tianjin Fashion Show: Encountering the Thames” took place along Jiefang North Road, a street often referred to as the “Wall Street of the East.” This event, hosted by the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism in collaboration with the People’s Government of Tianjin’s Heping District, showcased a stunning blend of fashion and culture against the backdrop of a historic financial district.

To create a “twin-city interaction” with London Fashion Week, the show emphasized the fusion of ancient and modern styles, as well as Eastern and Western influences. It featured grand themes such as “Endless Rivers,” “Silk and Mist,” “Tianjin Bridge Stories,” and “Knowledge and Etiquette.” The innovative runway design incorporated a mirrored stage embedded in the road, turning the urban landscape into a visual feast that transformed the city itself into a stage.

The Haihe River, known as the mother river of Tianjin, has witnessed the city’s transformation from a small fishing village to an international metropolis, while the Thames River serves as London’s lifeline, evolving from Roman times to the present. “The Haihe and the Thames both carry the historical and cultural weight of their respective cities. Their ‘encounter’ symbolizes a bridge for cultural, economic, and artistic exchanges between the two cities,” a representative from the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism explained. The design inspiration from this fashion show, created by renowned Chinese designer Wang Zifei, stems from the relationship and encounter of these two iconic rivers.

“This collaboration with Tianjin’s cultural and tourism sector, themed ‘Endless Rivers,’ metaphorically expresses the subtle connections between London and Tianjin in history, architecture, and culture,” Wang Zifei shared. “The ‘Tianjin Fashion Show: Encountering the Thames’ illustrates a vibrant fusion of East and West through flowing lines, rich colors, and profound cultural depth, honoring our past while embracing a hopeful integration of cultures for the future.”

The fashion show was presented by the Tianjin Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism in partnership with the People’s Government of Tianjin’s Heping District.