Riding this wave, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council is hosting its second ever "Hong Kong Collections" show during New York's Fashion Week. The council's goal is to expose native designers to the international scene.

"There is a lot of talent in Hong Kong and China, but they really need the backing and the support of a group like this council to get shown internationally," explains Jacqui Lane of Gregg & Bailey, the production and marketing force behind the show. "They have the energy and creativity, but not necessarily the financial muscle or marketing ability to launch their brands abroad."

Last year's presentation of four Hong Kong designers met with "a very good response - from a press point of view and from the sales generated," says Bailey. Hopefully, September 8's show will experience the same success. Eight designers will showcase their work in the U.S., most of them for the first time. Flora Cheong-Leen and Blanc de Chine are the only ones who participated in last year's event. Cheong-Leen's Tian Art label is carried in boutiques from Beijing to London. Blanc de Chine is set to open a New York store and launch a more casual line (which appear in this year's show) called Bleu de Chine this fall.

This year, they will be joined by Silvio Chan; Dorian Ho; Michael Hui; Cecila Yau; and Shanghai Tang, whose boutiques in Hong Kong, London and New York offer everything from haute couture to house wares.

The presentation, to be held in the studio at Bryant Park, will be divided into three groups: designs with a downtown, funky look; feminine, classic pieces; and very modern, new millennium looks.

Bailey boasts that next weekend's production will be "bigger and more elaborate" than its predecessor. Chinese drummers will welcome guest before the show, the catwalk will be lacquered red and Chinese lanterns will light the scene.

However, creative director Alan Bailey, working with the show's "Asian Chic" theme, will combine both East and West. "The backdrop will be all white, and the show itself will be modern and crisp," reveals Bailey.