Fashion Week in Beijing began last Saturday, March 24. The Chic exhibition is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. FashionMag.com is taking the opportunity to present its "Eye on China" series. Today it's Gabriel Torres, Head of Barcelona's Escuala Superior de Diseño y Moda Felicidad Duce and for the past 18 years member of the jury of Hempel Beijing Award, which honors the best young designers among 32 international finalists, who shares his thoughts with us.

Gabriel Torres

FashionMag.com: How has Chinese design evolved ?
Gabriel Torres: In 18 years, Chinese students have learned many things and at an incredible rate. They are better and it shows in the collections shown in the contest. The Chinese show great patience and a strong ability to concentrate on their work

FM: And as to their place in the world ?
GT: China is also a producer country. It is still a bit early for it to have brands or designers that have risen to an international level. They still look to the West too much. But I do think that it is possible for Chinese fashion to go global. The trouble is that they may not believe in themselves enough. There are designers today who have made a name for themselves in China, but not yet worldwide. I think that ten years from now will be their milestone.

FM: For your Spanish students, what place is given to China ?
GT: For our students, if they are part of the contest, it is often their first time in Beijing. Some students who work at Inditex and Mango go there to ensure quality control. We try to ensure that they are paying attention to China, its brands and its industry. But when students start, they dream of Tokyo, Milan or Paris even though the competition is global.