Weaving heritage into future fashion

For example, the Mother Butterfly pattern echoes the Miao legend in which one egg among 12 laid by a butterfly hatched into Jiangyang, an ancestor of the Miao people, and the Mother Butterfly is worshipped as the Miao's most venerated god.

For the runway, Miao patterns featuring the sun, seas of clouds and dragons are woven into dark blue fabric, evoking the vastness of the universe. The bold use of contrasting colors, such as vibrant orange, symbolizes the breaking dawn.

Light takes on many shapes and in some ready-to-wear pieces, embroidery is stitched into lightweight, translucent organza that mimics the rippling effect of sunlight filtering through the clouds.

Another highlight this season is the collaboration between HUI and Guizhou Textile Industry Development Group. Eleven jacquard dresses showcase the art of Miao brocade, which employs several interweaving techniques using warp and weft to create intricate designs.

The textile group, which was established last July, aims to lead the development of a competitive textile industry chain in Guizhou. It also seeks to explore opportunities for the global promotion of locally produced clothing, household items, wearable jewelry, and more, which all inherit the province's distinctive culture while embracing modernity.

"The redesign of our intangible cultural heritage is a concrete step in leveraging Guizhou's strengths in developing boutique manufacturing, rooted in its rich diversity of ethnic cultures, and ensuring the enduring legacy of China's traditional craftsmanship," says Min Jiangtao, vice-chairman and general manager of Guizhou Textile Industry Development Group.