Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan. "Like the traditional Chinese ink painting, the blank space between fabric and skin is where the beauty resides," designer Ma Ke says.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan. "Like the traditional Chinese ink painting, the blank space between fabric and skin is where the beauty resides," designer Ma Ke says.
OLI SCARFF/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan. "It fits her well, as she is a soldier and she has a kind of assertiveness and toughness," Ma says of the now-famous trench coat she designed for China's First Lady.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan. "It fits her well, as she is a soldier and she has a kind of assertiveness and toughness," Ma says of the now-famous trench coat she designed for China's First Lady.
ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
French President Francois Hollande and his companion Valerie Trierweiler pose with Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan.
French President Francois Hollande and his companion Valerie Trierweiler pose with Chinese President Xi Jinping and First Lady Peng Liyuan.
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Peng Liyuan, on the left, with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, arrive for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in London, England in 2015. "My philosophy for the First Lady's designs is elegance, subtlety and demureness," Ma says.
Peng Liyuan, on the left, with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, arrive for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in London, England in 2015. "My philosophy for the First Lady's designs is elegance, subtlety and demureness," Ma says.
WPA Pool/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan. "You know sometimes clothing can come across aggressive when it's too revealing and eye-catching and it's the opposite of traditional Chinese aesthetics," Ma told CNN.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan. "You know sometimes clothing can come across aggressive when it's too revealing and eye-catching and it's the opposite of traditional Chinese aesthetics," Ma told CNN.
Handout/Getty Images Europe
Wuyong "Earth" collection, worn by native residents on the snow-covered plateau of Kangding (Dardo), in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, western Sichuan province.
Wuyong "Earth" collection, worn by native residents on the snow-covered plateau of Kangding (Dardo), in Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, western Sichuan province.
WUYONG/Photography by Zhou Mi
Ma was invited by one of high fashion's most respected bodies, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modeaparis.com%2F2%2Ffederation%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture</a>, to show at Paris Haute Couture week, in 2008.
Ma was invited by one of high fashion's most respected bodies, Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, to show at Paris Haute Couture week, in 2008.
WUYONG/Photography by Zhou Mi
Models of wear Ma Ke's "Qingpin" collection and march gracefully in the Palais Royal during Paris Haute Couture Week, 2008.
Models of wear Ma Ke's "Qingpin" collection and march gracefully in the Palais Royal during Paris Haute Couture Week, 2008.
WUYONG/Ma Ke
Ma Ke uses a vintage sewing machine next to the clothes exhibited in the Wuyong Space in Beijing.
Ma Ke uses a vintage sewing machine next to the clothes exhibited in the Wuyong Space in Beijing.
WUYONG/Ma Ke
Ma Ke adjusts her exhibits -- clothes she collected to convey family stories -- in Wuyong Space in Beijing.
Ma Ke adjusts her exhibits -- clothes she collected to convey family stories -- in Wuyong Space in Beijing.
WUYONG/Ma Ke
Handmade yarns hanging in the yard of Wuyong studio in Zhuhai.
Handmade yarns hanging in the yard of Wuyong studio in Zhuhai.
WUYONG/Ma Ke
Wuyong "Qinpin" collection (the word mean luxurious simplicity) at a release event of Paris Haute Conture Week 2008 in Palais Royal. A craftsman performs traditional fabric looming techniques.<br />
Wuyong "Qinpin" collection (the word mean luxurious simplicity) at a release event of Paris Haute Conture Week 2008 in Palais Royal. A craftsman performs traditional fabric looming techniques.
WUYONG/Ma Ke