Ten years ago, Li Qiang arrived in Nanjing from Shenyang to do costume designing instead of working in a central enterprise.

Now, Li is busy with taking photos of his designs to New York Fashion Week. Late last year, he received the invitation to show his works at the event this September.

When Li was a child, most of his clothes were made by his mother, which made him interested in sewing and then in becoming a costume designer, Li Qiang said.

Li is diligent and works until late night.

As Li earned a reputation among the fashion circle, some famous Chinese people, including traditional crosstalk performer Guo Degang, TV host Meng Fei and boxing champ Zou Shiming, became his clients.