Students from the Confucius Institute of the University of Abomey-Calavi prepare their traditional Chinese attires for the China-Benin Fashion Show at the central square of the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

COTONOU, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- As dusk settled over the central square of the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, southern Benin, the air buzzed with excitement. Beneath the indigo twilight, the flowing elegance of traditional Chinese attire blended with the vibrant hues of Beninese couture in the China-Benin Fashion Show, creating a dazzling display that illuminated Saturday night.

To the steady rhythm of music and the confident stride of models, nearly 100 striking ensembles swept across the stage, their colors and patterns sparkling beneath the spotlights. Around 800 guests watched with admiration as Chinese and Beninese styles merged in a vibrant symphony of fabric and form.

Co-hosted by the Chinese Cultural Center in Benin and the Confucius Institute of the University of Abomey-Calavi, the fashion show marked another creative effort to deepen cultural dialogue -- a celebration of Chinese inclusiveness and Beninese artistry, stitched together through shared imagination.

Among the audience were representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Benin, the Turkish and Luxembourg missions, as well as Beninese fashion elites and art enthusiasts, all drawn by the allure of cultural fusion under the night sky.

"Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?" The ancient Confucian saying seemed to come alive as Chinese diplomats, dressed in flowing traditional attire, opened the evening's performance with serene grace.

Students from the Confucius Institute followed, dressed in Hanfu, Tang suit, Qipao, and Zhongshan suit -- each garment tracing a vibrant cultural timeline through China's long history. Their performance embodied how traditional clothing, as a living cultural symbol, has long reflected social order, etiquette, and aesthetics, blending personal expression with historical continuity.

From across China's vast landscapes came glimpses of its ethnic diversity: silver-threaded Miao embroidery, sweeping Mongolian robes, and the fur-lined Tibetan attire. Together, they unfolded a tapestry of unity in diversity, a journey through centuries of craftsmanship that shimmered before Benin's captivated audience.

Then the spotlight turned homeward. Beninese designers and models brought equal brilliance to the runway. In a country where cotton is affectionately called white gold, textiles are more than an industry -- they are identity, pride, and promise. With strong support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Arts, Benin has already staged seven successful editions of "Benin Fashion Month," nurturing a generation of creative, homegrown designers.

At the show, four of Benin's leading designers presented collections inspired by the themes "Time," "Rebirth," "Confidence," and "Style with a Name." Infusing heritage with contemporary flair, their creations redefined perceptions of Beninese fashion, showing that bold hues can convey sophistication, that tradition can evolve alongside global trends, and that "Benin Chic" can shine confidently on the world stage.

Beninese cultural promoter Ezechiel Dohoungue said that the show had "woven bridges between Chinese silk and Beninese woven fabric," illustrating that "fashion is a universal language capable of connecting cultures and enriching identities."

For Tao Jiayi, a teacher at the Confucius Institute, the event's purpose went beyond aesthetics, aiming to "deepen mutual understanding between Chinese and Beninese people through beauty and design." ■

Models present collections by a local designer during the China-Benin Fashion Show at the central square of the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

Students from the Confucius Institute of the University of Abomey-Calavi prepare their traditional Chinese attires for the China-Benin Fashion Show at the central square of the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

Models parade during the China-Benin Fashion Show at the central square of the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

Students from the Confucius Institute of the University of Abomey-Calavi present traditional Chinese attires during the China-Benin Fashion Show at the central square of the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

Students from the Confucius Institute of the University of Abomey-Calavi prepare their traditional Chinese attires for the China-Benin Fashion Show at the central square of the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

A model presents a collection by a local designer during the China-Benin Fashion Show at the central square of the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)

A student from the Confucius Institute of the University of Abomey-Calavi presents a traditional Chinese attire during the China-Benin Fashion Show at the central square of the Palais des Congres in Cotonou, Benin, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Seraphin Zounyekpe/Xinhua)