Shanghai-based Uma Wang on Saturday offered a collection that drew deeply on traditional patterns of her native China and the style of mediaeval Italian courtesans at Milan Fashion Week.
The show, her second after her debut in Milan for the spring/summer 2014 collections in September, featured ultra-lightweight garments made of Chinese paper processed in Italy.
"Mine is a continuous journey from East to West," Wang told reporters. "It is a free movement on a long road that leads to Italy.
"Nothing is sexier than the swish of paper in movement announcing the arrival of a woman."
The brand's press release said the collection was "an exotic tale of carefree, nomadic nobility," inspired by Renaissance masters Giotto and Ghiberti.
There were long flowing and richly-embroidered robes reminiscent of mediaeval royalty, as well as kimono-style dresses with stripes in reds, blacks, browns and greys.
The catwalk was supported by Design by Shanghai for the international promotion of Chinese designers, which made its debut at London Fashion Week in 2013.
Wang studied at China Textile University and Central St Martin's in London, then worked for Chinese labels for a decade before setting up her own brand in 2005.
