Fashion brief

Butterfly finery

French jewelry company Van Cleef & Arpels presents a new collection inspired by the butterfly, a longtime theme of the brand since the 1920s. The collection has rings, necklaces, brooches, timepieces and earrings, all adorned with glittering butterflies. Lacquer artist Junichi Hakose also improvised on some of the house's classic pieces.

New season

Opened in 2013, department store Galeries Lafayette Beijing recently held a preview of its 2015 spring/summer arrivals. Titled Bonjour Demain, the new season focuses on futuristic styles, and the LED screen on the outside wall of the store displays the new pieces from all angles. Chictopia, Alex Wang and Chris by Christopher Bu are among the independent designer brands there.

Fashion school

Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology opened its fashion week on March 17, when seven fashion shows and one exhibition were held. The first sportswear fashion show in the institute's history also debuted. The participating students will be selected for opportunities to study in South Korea, and some have made it to the ongoing China Fashion Week.