Rings of symbols — inscribed with seal script and hexagrams — rise and fall like ripples on water. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The opening ceremony on May 31 set the tone — a poetic spectacle in the rain, where themed performances and a fashion show unfolded like a living canvas of youth and imagination.

The runway, staged by the School of Fashion Design, opened under the theme Multiplicity. A total of 158 original looks drew inspiration from the mythical idea of metamorphosis — with graduates exploring shifting identities and layered inner worlds. Some fused digital storytelling and design; others reimagined traditional crafts through a contemporary lens.

"This year's stage breaks away from the typical front-facing setup," says Liu Yihong, artistic director of the ceremony and vice-dean of the School of Visual Communication. "We designed a four-sided immersive arena — a space that embodies the essence of Metamorphoses: how one stroke can open a universe and spark endless change."

The venue was transformed into more than just a performance space. It became a memory theater — with student thesis presentations, creative process videos, and everyday moments at the CAA projected onto its walls.