Dancers showcase Hermes' autumn/winter 2016 ready-to-wear collection through a dance show Ensemble for Nine Dresses. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Barret, who spends most of her time seeking good designs and illustrations, says: "I go to galleries, read books, surf the internet and I receive many proposals every season.

"My criteria are very wide, but what I really expect is high quality design.

"In terms of style, the range is wide too－from the very traditional and classical to very digital, very contemporary expressions."

Barret, who is visiting Beijing for the first time, has spent time walking around the 798 Art Zone.

"China is transforming. It's moving very fast, and is very interesting to us who are from an old and slow continent," she says.

She also found that young Chinese are quite Westernized, but also found people maintain their roots and history through their clothing.

"Chinese history and tradition are very strong and sophisticated. But what is happening now is fast evolution－mixing the traditional and the contemporary, and that is also what Hermes' work is about."

Contact the writer at chenjie@chinadaily.com.cn