Fashion works powered by digital and intelligent technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) come into the spotlight at the ongoing China Fashion Week in Beijing, demonstrating the appeal of the country's new generation of designers.
The spring session of the 2026 China Fashion Week began in Beijing on Friday last week, shining a spotlight on the fusion of traditional Chinese culture and modern fashion.
With the help of AI, the works integrating Chinese elements and oriental aesthetics have been precisely de-constructed and digitally reconstructed, showcasing the modern appeal of traditional Chinese craftsmanship to global audiences.
"By leveraging AI and digital technology to design textile patterns, we combine classic Chinese elements, including stand collar and knot button, with the western style like suit, waistcoat, and short jacket. Paired with fabrics of varying textures, the design highlights style and grace of traditional clothing," said He Rong, a Chinese fashion designer.
At the Art Museum of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, 100 young designers from 59 universities and design institutes nationwide presented their latest fashion works.
Ranging from fully 3D-printed garment fabric to ready-to-wear collection, and from cutting-edge techniques such as laser cutting and digital modeling to creative design, the exhibition showcased the original creativity and culture succession carried by the next generation of design talent.
"Whether it is 3D printing or other digital and intelligent technologies, they fundamentally serve to apply traditional culture to contemporary lifestyles. They may help us bridge the gap between technology and life," said Xie Mengdi, teacher at the School of Design of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.
Centuries-old intangible cultural heritage techniques, reimagined by young designers, have been brought to the runway to offer audiences a renewed expression of oriental aesthetics.
"It's not simply about borrowing past techniques and traditions of intangible cultural heritage, but rather about using new technologies, such as AI, to continuously refine and improve the ability of contemporary Chinese youth to look back at the past and look forward to the future," said Zou You, vice president of the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology.
Digital, intelligent technologies take center stage at China Fashion Week in Beijing
Iran has surprised its foes with the extent of its military power and resilience in the conflict with Israel and the U.S., Egyptian analysts in Cairo said.
With the conflict in its fourth week, Iran has shown that while it may lack the strong military muscle of the U.S. and Israel, it can strike effectively at Israeli cities and U.S. Gulf allies.
Iran's military capabilities are perhaps proving stronger than previously anticipated.
As soon as Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran on February 28, Tehran responded with barrages of missiles targeting Israel as well as U.S. military facilities in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan.
As the war began to stretch, Iran has expanded the list of its targets to include a total of 10 countries, and among them is a British base in Cyprus used by the United States.
Last week, a reported Iranian attack on another British military base on Diego Garcia Island in Mauritius signaled Tehran's possible capability to strike targets up to 4,000 kilometers away from its shores, bringing most of Europe within its radius of reach.
Walid Atlam, a researcher at the National Center for Studies, said Iran managed to use its military power to seize the global economic artery, the Strait of Hormuz, to exert pressure on the U.S. and Israel.
"The Iranian tactical strike on southern Israel, including the one near the Dimona nuclear facility or on Arad is the most effective qualitative attack during this war. It is also the deepest hit yet inside Israel. Another success for Iran is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz -- though only a partial one. In doing so, Iran managed to pressure a pillar of the global economy by disrupting energy markets and global supply chains. These effects will be felt even after a ceasefire," he said.
Iran does not match the U.S. and Israel in military might. For Tehran, surviving the war is the ultimate goal. Until then, it aims to inflict maximum damage -- not only militarily but also politically.
Mohamed al Shahawy, former chief of staff of military chemical warfare of the Egyptian Armed Forces, said Iran has surprised its foes with its military capabilities.
"Iran's resilience in fighting into the fourth week is the biggest surprise, so is its ability to target U.S. military bases with new generations of missiles. The U.S.-Israeli objective in this war, including overthrowing the regime in Iran, destroying Iran's ballistic missiles program and its nuclear facilities, and seizing Iran's enriched uranium, has failed," he said.
Atlam said the ongoing conflict seems to be undermining U.S. dominance and straining the close relations with its European allies.
"I think this war has created a kind of doubt about the United States and its foreign policy. The most significant sign is perhaps a clear European desire to reduce its dependence on the U.S., both militarily and economically. This was evident when many European countries refused to get directly involved in this war or join a coalition to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," he said.
Iran's strike reveals military power, resilience against US: experts
