China’s most watched programme the Spring Festival Gala aired on February 18 or better known as China’s Super Bowl was more than a modest showcase of festivity. In fact, sharp-eyed viewers noticed that many of the headliners of the show were wearing clothes from A-list fashion houses’ latest collections, despite the fact China is going through a self-imposed period of austerity and the budget for this year’s show was scaled-back.

In the opening number, actor Tong Dawei was wearing Gieves & Hawkes, while his wife, actress Guan Yue, wore a rainbow-colored dress from Shiatzy Chen’s 2015 Spring/Summer collection.

Wife and Husband team, Guan Yue and Tong Dawei

Na Ying, who sang a song called Silk Road, was spotted wearing a pork-dot Givenchy pantsuit, accessorized with Tasaki jewellery and pumps by Gucci.

Na Ying’s Givenchy pant suit was straight from the fashion house’s 2015 collection.

Li Yuchun, winner of Super Girl, China’s answer to American Idol, was wearing a customized pantsuit also by Shiatzy Chen. Hong Kong singer Karen Mok wore the same designer brand. Actress Liu Tao, who paired with comedian Guo Dongling, was wearing bright red Dolce & Gabbana. Actor Lu Yi who appeared on popular reality TV Show Where Did My Dad Go? was wearing the same designer brand, as was his wife and daughter who sang a song together on the show.

Li Yuchun picked out this design out of over 20 design sketches.

Actor Zhu Yawen was wearing Gucci, and Hong Kong pop singer G.E.M. wore Emma Wallace.

The Lu family all opted for Dolce & Gabanna.

The show of glitz, glamor, and wealth was in stark contrast to orders from President Xi Jinping to rein in overt displays of wealth.