China Fashion Week launches first standalone kidswear season in Beijing

The 2026 China Fashion Week · Kidswear opened at Beijing's 798 Art District on July 22, marking the launch of China Fashion Week's first standalone season devoted to children's fashion.

A promotional installation for the 2026 China Fashion Week · Kidswear is seen at Beijing's 798 Art District on July 22, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Running through July 28, the seven-day "Pop Party" event brings together more than 20 Chinese brands and designer labels. The season is organized by the China Fashion Association in collaboration with the China National Garment Association, the government of Beijing's Chaoyang district and the Beijing 798 Cultural Media Co., Ltd. Its launch establishes a new calendar within China Fashion Week, with the main adult fashion seasons in March and September and a separate children's program in July.

Anta Kids opened the runway program with a new autumn collection aimed at young consumers' sports and outdoor needs. The show highlighted functional fabrics and products designed for different activity settings, offering an example of how Chinese children's sportswear companies are combining textile research with more specialized product development.

Child models present Anta Kids' autumn collection during the opening show of the 2026 China Fashion Week · Kidswear in Beijing on July 22, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Other scheduled participants include Hush Puppies Kids, DC Kids and Beautyberry Kids. Their showcases will feature original design, handmade craft and manufacturing capabilities. 

The program also includes a collaboration between fashion brand Mark Fairwhale, the Genius Mom and designer Mark Cheung. The show uses fashion as a vehicle to showcase the handicraft skills of women in rural communities. Several designers are incorporating traditional techniques and motifs, including Dongxiang embroidery, Miao batik, and grassland-inspired Mongolian patterns. 

On July 28, the 2026 China Fashion Week · Kidswear is scheduled to close with a show by Heaven Gaia designer Xiong Ying. A closing ceremony the same day will release annual childrenswear trend information and present work by Chinese design talent, providing references for brands and other industry participants.

The organizers have extended the program beyond the runway with activities linking exhibitions, creative production, family recreation, education and retail. "A Place for Everything: An Exhibition of Original Chinese Picture Books," which opened July 5 in Hall 2 of the Today Art Museum, will continue until Oct. 11.

A temporary Anta Kids store has opened alongside the fashion shows, while a space-themed carnival featuring play equipment, art installations and photo spots is running at 79 Tank in the 798 Art District. The arrangement is intended to connect new product launches with public experiences and retail.

A promotional poster for a Genius Mom handicraft workshop. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Parent-child craft workshops scheduled for July 23 and 24 at the 751 Library will bring families together with intangible cultural heritage practitioners and women creators from rural areas. A themed children's photography project is also planned. These activities move arts education outside the classroom and allow children to encounter craft materials, as well as design through hands-on experiences.

China Fashion Week, founded in 1997, has traditionally staged major seasons for adult fashion. The new July program creates a separate window for the children's market, giving brands and designers greater visibility while providing a common venue for discussions of trends, craftsmanship and product innovation.

The 2026 China Fashion Week · Kidswear continues at the 798 Art District through July 28.