Jefen, China's first designer label unveiling its ready-to-wear collection at Louvre in Paris, opened the official eight-day 2007 Spring-Summer Paris Fashion Week on Sunday.

Jefen, established by its designer Xie Feng in Beijing in 2000, embodies women's elegance and dignity. Among its collection, a long silk dress adorned with hand-painted peach tree flowers is particularly arresting at Sunday's show.

Jefen would enter the international fashion industry and target the European consumers who are interested in oriental culture, especially Chinese culture, said Xie, who has already owned about 20 shops in China.

"It is a historic day for the Chinese fashion industry, and the Chinese designer has won world reorganization," Jiang Hengjie, executive deputy chairman of the China National Garment Association said.

Didier Grumbach, president of the French Couture Federation, said that Xie's appearance at the Paris fashion week would have "an enormous impact in China."

Zhao Jinjun, China's Ambassador to France, also attended the event.

The show puts Jefen among top fashion labels as Chanel, Christian Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, Valentino, Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent, which are to present on the official eight-day calendar of catwalk shows.

(Xinhua News Agency October 2, 2006)