Dialogue held to discuss fashion and traditional culture

A dialogue on the modern expression of traditional culture was held in Beijing on Sunday. The event gathered Chinese and foreign scholars and designers to discuss the use of traditional Chinese cultural elements in the designs of modern apparels and accessories.

A dialogue themed "Rejuvenation: Modern Expression and Communication of Traditional Culture" is held in Beijing on Sept. 11, 2022. [Photo/China Fashion Week]

Organized by the Center for International Cultural Communication under the China International Communications Group (CICG), the dialogue was part of the China Fashion Summit held during the China Fashion Week.

At the event, Qi Chunying, head of the Institute for Costumes of Chinese Ethnic Minorities at Minzu University of China, presented a number of costumes worn by Chinese ethnic minorities and explained their histories and cultural background. She said that designers should tap into the cultural identities of ethnic groups, in order to incorporate the essence of traditional culture into their design and introduce them to the outside world.

Alla Batiuk, a faculty member at the International Foundation Course of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, compared the different fabrics and materials in making ethnic costumes in both China and abroad, and showcased the innovative designs of major fashion brands based on these traditional fabrics. She said designing fabric is the foundation of fashion design and serves as an important carrier of culture.

Xu Nan, academic director of international fashion school ESMOD Beijing, said the idea of the metaverse can help to promote traditional culture. She said the First China Metaverse Fashion Design Competition included the Hanfu category for the first time to promote the development of traditional Chinese costume culture.

Jehanne de Biolley, a Belgian-born designer living in Beijing, has been dedicated to incorporating the Miao embroidery into modern home decoration and using the returns to support the Miao embroidery. She called for joint efforts to pass on the intangible cultural heritage to future generations.

He Yang, director of the Olympic Costume Culture Research Center at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, said the uniforms, shoes, and accessories for staff workers, volunteers, and technical officials of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics were inspired by traditional Chinese culture. She noted that the apparels were designed to promote the Chinese concept of harmony between humanity and nature.

The event also featured a roundtable discussion with scholars and designers brainstorming on topics including cultural confidence and craftsmanship.