A total of 16 companies are preparing to take part in the first ever Scottish showcase at the 21st China International Clothing and Accessories fair (CHIC) in Beijing.

And city-based fashion designers Rebecca Torres and Iona Crawford, along with Prestwick-born knitwear star Hilary Grant, will join established textile firms for the trade mission.

Cashmere specialist Barrie Knitwear, which was last year taken over by French fashion house Chanel, will also be showcasing in the capital, as well as West Scotland-based Maccessori, which produces Harris Tweed accessories, Tartan Spirit and Slanj.

The CHIC event, which takes place from March 26 to 29, will see all the chosen companies exhibit high-end Scottish goods to more than 110,000 visitors from 20 countries worldwide.

The Scottish Pavilion is being co-ordinated by Scottish Development International, Scottish Enterprise's international arm.

Cathy Black, head of Scottish Enterprise's textiles team, said it was hoped that the event would rake in at least £1million of sales for the designers. She said: "China's luxury market is seeing year-on-year growth of 35% and its fashion industry is set to become the world's second largest by 2020. There is a massive opportunity for Scottish companies producing high end, design-led and luxury products that will appeal to the aspirational and style-conscious Chinese consumer.

"From this event alone, we're hoping to generate at least £1 million of new additional sales for the participating companies and given the size of the market, we think this could be the start of something very exciting for the industry."

Designer Rebecca, 27, who specialises in colourful bodycon dresses, said: "It's such a good opportunity for me and the other brilliant designers who I'll be working with over there.

"I've been told that my collections would appeal to the Asian market so I'm hoping this trip leads to buyers picking my clothes to sell over there."

Rebecca said the event was "great for Glasgow", adding: "Anything that puts us on the map is a positive."

Orkney-based knitwear expert Hilary, 27, said she also hoped to secure new stockists.

She said: "A small part of the mission involves a tour around many of Beijing's high-end shopping districts to get a feel for the market.

"It's important to understand it culturally, to know what's already available and it'll help us to target the right buyers and distributors."

rachel.loxton@heraldandtimes.co.uk