That’s the word from the Shanghai Mode Lingerie, which was held at Shanghai Exhibition Centre in October.

"The Chinese lingerie market is increasing by 20 per cent per year and producing products valued at 2 billion euros," said Marie-Laure Bellon-Homps,general manager of Eurovet, the organizer of the exhibition.

"I don’t see any difference between Chinese women and French women who look at the same movies and read the same fashion magazines," said Chantal Thomass, a fashion designer from Paris. "Chinese women also want to be seductive, it is the same all over the world."

As a fast moving lingerie market, this exhibition, which is the second one of its kind held in Shanghai, attracted 25 famous international brands that believe the Chinese market is as important as those in France and Italy.

The French presence at this session was all the more significant since some of the biggest names come from there.Newcomers include Aubade, Cacharel,Christian Lacroix, John Galliano, Eminence and Janine Robin.

This year, a resolutely contemporary theme could be seen in prints and patterns on display. From the 60 sumptuous outfits unveiled for the October 23 catwalk show, one theme reigned supreme: Marie-Antoinette.She was the wife of France’s King Louis XVI and notorious for her luxurious way of life in the palace.

"The queen of France is the symbol of both history and modern women," said the general manager.

Inspired by her story, the show was divided into four series. The "in the country" series was a longing for all things natural, like an invigorating stroll, radiant and fresh, airy cotton, tulle and lace like a bright sunny garden, the subtle delicacy of naive embroidery, and touches of yellow. To match wit h the look, Sephora’s make-up supervisor Sunny Lee created a new look which focused on models’ eyes – smoky,with an emphasis on antique and palatial features.

The "tea party" deliberately flir ted with romance: a rich palette and hints of pastels, spiced up with lavish details and decoration, flounces, bows and ribbons, and plenty of little tops.

The "Queen of France" was of course luxurious, highlighted by the deepest reds, intense and shimmering, jacquards,brocade, velvet, satin, precious stones, gold thread and trimmings, with red and hot make-up to finish the 18th century look.

And the "seductress" was a world of forceful and sexy black. Fabric effects, sculptural decoration, combined with sexy- Gothic notes and ribbons, jewels and ruffles,borrowed from the folklore of central Europe.