Fashion show spotlights Yi embroidery

A fashion show featuring Yi embroidery took place at Beijing's Bell and Drum Tower Square on Sunday. 

Dating back 1,700 years, the traditional costumes of the Yi ethnic group from Chuxiong, southwestern China's Yunnan province, is a significant component of China's intangible cultural heritage. 

The show included 50 ensembles from three collections: traditional heritage garments, Luoyang Hanfu garments reflecting their resurgence in popularity, and contemporary designs that merge traditional and modern elements. 

Guided by the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Yunnan Provincial Committee and China International Communications Group (CICG), the fashion show aimed to support the Global Civilization Initiative, highlight the significance of intangible cultural heritage in national attire, and encourage cultural exchange and mutual understanding among civilizations. 

Yi embroidery is in the spotlight at a fashion show in Beijing on Oct. 13, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

The event, complemented by performances of national songs and dances, garnered widespread praise from both Chinese and international attendees. It also marked the debut of Chuxiong Yi embroidery at a landmark along the Central Axis of Beijing, an area known for its profound historical and cultural significance. 

The fashion show follows its appearance at major fashion weeks in Beijing, Shanghai, New York, Milan, and Paris.