( CNN ) -- High fashion is n't often inspired by environmental hazards , but as air pollution levels soared in Beijing last week , models at China Fashion Week walked the runway wearing designer respiratory face masks . The QIAODAN Yin Peng Sports Wear Collection showcased fashion and function in the same breath at the biannual event , which runs through the weekend . Some outfits had built-in face masks while others featured smog masks coordinated to match the ensemble . The runway shows briefly coincide with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit , for which Beijing is implementing strict pollution controls . The city is limiting traffic and shutting down industrial factories to help air quality conditions . Similar measures were taken for the 2008 Summer Olympics . This month , Beijing International Marathon participants came prepared with face masks and sponges to combat smog levels that were deemed `` hazardous '' by the United States Embassy . Yin Peng , the designer , said he was surprised his collection had attracted so much attention and said the smoggy environment was not his main inspiration . `` From my perspective , no matter how good the outside environment is , the key is how we mix the situation outside with our hearts , '' he told CNN . 9 things that make air pollution bearable . As the Chinese high-end fashion market continues to grow rapidly , luxury brands are noting that the fashion-forward truly want a complete head-to-toe look . Even on the chic runways of Paris Fashion Week in October , Chinese designer Masha Ma accessorized models with Swarovski crystal-studded face masks amid quilted bomber jackets and sleek modern separates . Ma , along with other Chinese designers like SANKUANZ , Qiu Hao and Xander Zhou , also collaborated with luxury e-commerce site Yoox on a series of couture masks as part of their eco-friendly initiative , Yooxygen . Other companies like Vogmask and Respro are capitalizing on the business of functional fashion . The latter started in the United Kingdom for urban athletes and has since expanded into areas like China and Singapore `` as the need for protection from pollution in our urban environments increases , '' according to its site . After all , to some , fashion is a breath of fresh air . CNN 's Serena Dong in Beijing contributed to this report .
At China Fashion Week , one designer sent models down the runway wearing smog masks . Beijing has been experiencing heavy smog over the past few days . A climate symposium is being held in China during the same time as the fashionable event .