The 20-day event, which started on March 18, showcased the latest collections by fashion designers from around the world, organizers said. It has become a much larger event than Shanghai's first attempt at a fashion week back in 1995, they stressed.

The 2003 International Model Contest, part of the festival, also held its final last night.

Wang Jing, from China's Chongqing City, emerged as the first-prize winner of the female model competition. In the male category, Seah Chee Tat, from Singapore, was the winner. Mao Qi, 14, from Shanghai, the youngest model in the competition, won third prize in the female category.

Several well-known names in the fashion world highlighted their seasonal collections or their pieces during the festival, including Lanvin, which showcased its 2003 spring/summer men/women collection, Japanese designer Yumi Katsura paraded her elegant wedding dress collection, while seven top Chinese designers were a hit.

(Eastday.com April 7, 2003)