LONDON — For over three decades, supermodel Qiqi has counted on actor and fashion icon Hu Bing as a steadfast friend. This week, that bond took center stage as Qiqi answered Hu’s personal call to walk in his exclusive “HUBING SELECTS” showcase during London Fashion Week, a milestone edition marking a decade of the platform’s mission to champion Chinese design abroad.
Qiqi, a veteran of the world’s top catwalks, commanded attention in a tailored pure white suit paired with sleek black leather gloves, its flowing cape-style top adding dramatic movement with every step.
“This is Hu Bing’s initiative to push young Chinese designers onto the international stage—a truly meaningful project,” Qiqi told reporters backstage. “This is its tenth year, and he specifically invited me to join this season’s show. If we can contribute effort and participate in helping young Chinese designers go global, it’s especially meaningful. So I flew to London for it.”
The event unfolded against the backdrop of London’s packed fashion calendar, where Hu Bing serves as Global Ambassador for London Fashion Week and an ambassador for the British Fashion Council. As the founder of HUBING SELECTS, he presented the new collection titled “Urban Grace: Leather & Light,” a study in contrasts blending structured leather with ethereal illumination.
The show, attended by industry insiders, stylists, and press, underscored a growing trend of Asian fashion houses and curators carving out dedicated spaces within Western fashion weeks—not merely as participants, but as tastemakers.
For Qiqi, the appearance was more than a professional engagement. Reflecting on their friendship spanning more than 30 years, she noted how their shared history in the modeling and entertainment industries has evolved into a collaborative partnership aimed at cultural exchange.
“When a friend of three decades asks for your support in lifting the next generation of designers, you show up,” she added with a smile.
The HUBING SELECTS showcase came as London Fashion Week continues to spotlight diversity and cross-cultural collaboration, with several Asian designers featuring prominently in this season’s schedule. Hu Bing’s platform has become a recurring launchpad, having introduced dozens of emerging Chinese labels to international buyers and editors since its inception.
Industry analysts note that such platforms serve a dual purpose: providing global visibility for emerging talent while reinforcing the personal brands of the celebrities involved—a formula that has proven successful in both fashion and entertainment sectors.
As the lights dimmed and the final model exited, the message was clear: collaboration and longevity remain the true luxury in an industry often defined by fleeting trends.