We start off today with the ongoing Shanghai Fashion Week where dozens of young Chinese are exhibiting their latest designs. And when it comes the theme this year, it's all about confidence. Chen Tong takes us there.

How a lady would dress while looking at a painting — that's what inspired Zhang Aoyu to create his design for the autumn winter season this year.

Zhang set up his fashion firm just two years ago. Though the fashion house is young, his first quarter sales this year almost doubled the figure for the same period last year.

ZHANG AOYU Co-Founder, Keh Forme "We were worried about whether domestic consumers would purchase our niche designs. But after trying, we're finding our worries weren't necessary. Domestic consumers really like Chinese designs and they're willing to purchase fashion products. The spring for domestic designers has arrived."

Zhang is not the only designer growing in confidence. Zhi Chen set up her fashion business in 2017 after graduation. Art has also been her inspiration this year. She says the pandemic has not brought challenges to her business, but rather opportunities.

ZHI CHEN Founder, "ZI II CI IEN" "The pandemic has actually brought a chance for domestic designers to grow fast. The strong consumption power stayed here and created internal economic circulation. We're seeing strong business growth."

The two designers are showcasing their designs at an exhibition called Ontime Show, which already started last week. The fashion companies exhibiting at the trade show are all young — on average four or five years old.

CHEN TONG Shanghai "When the Ontime Show first came to Shanghai Fashion Week in 2014, only 48 companies signed up to attend. But the rapid growth of China's fashion industry since then has fueled a surge in interest. This season, more than 2,000 fashion houses applied to come, and organizers chose about 200 of them to exhibit their designs here."

AROMA XIE Co-founder, Ontimeshow "We always feel that it's very important for us to have the responsibility to discover new blood, new faces in the industry. We think what they learn from school is only the design. But we are at the trading platform and we can teach them the way of how to do business."

And to help young designers find the right target, Ontime Show has also been cooperating with China's popular live streamers and social media platforms. They hope to attract more public attention to China's new generation of designers. Chen Tong, CGTN, Shanghai.