Shanghai Fashion Week opens on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. [Photo: CFP]

Shanghai Fashion Week has opened in Fuxing Park, in central Shanghai, showing the Spring/Summer 2011 collections.

The Chinese multi-brand Seven Days has opened the festival with a runway show featuring eight designers, including John Malkovich and Italian designer Riccardo Rami, each with distinctive styles.

John Malkovich, the somewhat eccentric actor, is now taking on the role of a designer, and says he's pretty happy the way things have come off in Shanghai.

"I loved it. I loved the show. I loved the way Mr. Ding mixed things up. I thought the models were terrific and you know I've sat through more than one of these things."

Fashion editor Zhong Yi says some of the styles that caught her eye could well translate to the wider market.

"There were a few brands that I thought would be accepted by the Chinese market, for example the user-friendly looks, rock look, the leather look, the men's fashion. But some of the transparent looks I don't think most people would wear, but they're more conceptual, so maybe only the fashion-forward crowd would try it."

Shanghai Fashion Week runs until next Tuesday.