The Paris China Culture Centre was ablaze with lights as the 2025 China-France Fashion Week commenced.
The appearance of Yanbian Lisu attire in Paris was a strategic move by China to promote the global reach of its culture and establish a new paradigm of civilisational exchange.
Deep in the mountains of Sichuan, the Lisu people have woven their ethnic culture with craftsmanship passed down through generations, and the Paris show was a vivid demonstration of China's cultural heritage.
Lisu inheritors and independent designers collaborated, guided by an approach of cultural decoding and modern reconstruction.
The Lisu "sunflower" pattern evolved into dynamic prints on modern garments, while traditional pleated skirt cuts were incorporated into the three-dimensional silhouettes of haute couture gowns.
At the same time, the handmade knife-mark patterns on sheepskin jackets created an aesthetic dialogue with the curves of formal wear, and the cross-stitch craftsmanship of the "Laixian" pouch underwent a creative transformation in tandem with modern industrial techniques.
The partnership with the Paris haute couture brand INCLOVER broke the traditional one-way output model, forming a positive interaction that integrated Sino-French creativity.
As more Chinese projects adopt innovative approaches to share their heritage with the world, it will usher in a new era through exchange and mutual learning with other civilisations.
