The inaugural China Chuxiong Fashion Week was held in the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, from December 30, 2023 to January 5.
The event showcased the creativity of fashion through nearly 40 runway shows over the week and included participants from around China and from Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Viet Nam, Myanmar, Malaysia and Bangladesh. It also included a forum with scholars, local ethnic business owners and fashion experts discussing how to preserve the intangible cultural heritage (ICH) of ancient clothing and traditions and how they can inspire fashion innovation in the modern age.
Chuxiong Fashion Week presented a vibrant visual experience of Yi culture through the medium of traditional and innovative fashion. It also drew attention to the importance of preservation and innovation of ICH as a means to provide new economic opportunities, promote cultural exchange and build Chuxiong into a center of innovative fashion that can inspire the world.
(Text and photos by Pamela Tobey)
