June 6 - French fashion house Cacharel, best known for colourful prints and breezy pret-a-porter styles, on Monday named a Paris-based Chinese design duo as its new artistic directors.

Dawei Sun and Ling Liu

Liu Ling and Sun Dawei -- who succeed Cedric Charlier, who left the family-owned business in March after just four seasons -- will send out their first collection during the next Paris fashion week that opens September 27.

In a statement, Cacharel said Liu, 32, a native of Harbin in northeast China, and Sun, 29, from Dalian, would be in charge of womenswear, menswear, children's clothing and accessories.

Liu and Sun started their studies in China before coming to Paris to attend the prestigious Chambre Syndicale fashion institute, where they met. They started their own label, Belle Ninon, in 2009.

Liu's career has taken her to Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent, while Sun has honed his craft at Lolita Lempicka, Balenciaga and John Galliano.