NEW YORK - Shanghai-based Orient International (Holding) expects to connect the cultural features of China's 56 ethnic groups with the world's leading fashion designers through an initiative to facilitate the development of China's fashion industry and promote cultural heritages, said a senior executive of the enterprise.

The initiative, known as Top 100 Global Designers Alliance, aims to unite the world's leading fashion designers and inspire them with China's traditional culture from 56 ethnic groups to develop the Chinese market, said Tong Jisheng, chairman of Orient International (Holding), in an interview with Xinhua on the sidelines of the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) which ended this week.

"The alliance will work as a platform for international designers who have excellent design skills but limited commercial access to the Chinese market," said Tong.