Walking down the catwalk and illuminated by spotlights, Da Huang, a Chinese dog known for its role in the TV drama Mysterious Lotus Casebook, modeled an ancient-style black fur coat while its owner wore a matching dark robe with complementary patterns.

Da Huang's dazzling moment was a highlight of the 5th Shanghai Petjoy Fashion Week.

From integrating Chinese aesthetics into pet apparel to the rise of outdoor styles as a new mainstream reflecting lifestyle upgrades, the event, which concluded early this month at the Shanghai Fashion Center, showcased that the "pet economy" is transitioning from rapid growth to a new phase focused on quality and emotional connection.

Da Huang's ancient fashion-inspired outfit was not an isolated case. Elements from the 24 Solar Terms and cultural symbols of Chang'an (today's Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi province) prominently appeared on pet clothing at the event, signaling the rise of traditional Chinese aesthetics as a new trend in pet fashion. The Chinese pet brand Petstar is at the forefront of this movement.

"Eastern aesthetics are the core philosophy of Petstar. We aim to take Chinese red and build a pet brand with distinctive Chinese characteristics," explains Yu Xiaochun, Petstar's brand manager.

Market response has validated this approach. "Our traditional Chinese-style pet apparel has been launched on e-commerce platforms with significant sales growth, especially during festivals like Spring Festival, when demand surges," Yu notes, adding that most of these designs — once runway exclusives — are now in mass production. "Young people are incorporating traditional Chinese style into their daily lives, and this trend has extended to their pets."