With opening up and reform policies introduced in the late 1970s, the Chinese market took on a prosperous scene. Many manufacturers resumed their production after the Cultural Revolution, and overseas companies rushed to China to sell their products. Shops and department stores began to be stocked with a myriad of products. How to make their own products outstanding challenged every manufacturer. It was also hard for the ordinary people to make a choice among the products. In such a fierce commercial competition advertisements became inevitable. The ads sales volume was on the rise from 1981 to 1985. It was the hotbed of Chinese modeling. The Chinese garment industry pioneered.

In the early 1980s, people just took off their blue uniform-like clothes. Though increasingly fascinated with the beauty and color, the introvert Chinese still hesitated to express it. But, anyway, there were a lot of brave ones. At that time, some girls showed their beautiful clothes in public places like the park as models do at the fashion show at the moment. They were not some professionals, and did it only for fun. But, it indeed reflects the public attitudes over modeling. And Chinese people were mentally ready to embrace modeling.

Since the opening up of China and reform policies being in effect, garment promotion emerged. Some people turned to foreign video materials for the knowledge and found out that models play an important role in the promotion of products. Some garment manufacturers and companies set up their own garment play art groups.

At that time, modeling was not professional. The lighting was not professional, and podium was not professional. A small hall, or meeting room, was okay for the show. But, the viewers of the show were indeed professionals. They were garment businessmen and bought made-in-China garments. Sometimes, only two or three viewers would attend. As I remember, a model sometimes had to wear eight to ten sets of clothes for a single show and would attend seven or eight shows a day.

At that time, the fashion walk even became sort of entertainment as movies and soccer matches are. That is because there were not as many forms of entertainment as now.

After 20 years of development, China has built many skyscrapers as high as those in New York. Beijing and Shanghai have installed subway systems as complex as that in London. The number of Chinese Internet users comes in the second place, only less than that of the U.S.. As more communication channels between China and the West become available, Chinese modeling industry is also looking at their peers overseas. They have a longer history and well-established system. Now, Chinese models know more about international standards of modeling and how foreign counterparts work.

But, the selection of models in China differs from that in the West. Unlike their foreign counterparts, the Chinese prefer to discover their beauties through modeling contests. One Chinese newspaper said in 2004 alone China staged over 100 beauty contests nationally. If local ones are counted, the number multiplies 10 times!

The history of modeling is a deciding factor. At that time, the Chinese market for model selection had not yet matured. Neither was the Chinese market. A well-established model training system hardly existed. As well, the Chinese have long emphasized the results. Actually, if there was to be a change, it should be that models should not be mainly selected through the modeling contest, but rather have their value as a model be decided by the clients.

I believe every girl has a dream. As long as you have it, you should try it. What you should have is your own personal quality. I remember the reason behind my decision to participate in the contest is because I am tall. With it, I think you can try it. If I missed the opportunity then, I would have regretted it. Also, I think such a fashion contest can help you know whether you fit this industry or not.